Theater Major Advice

I did the college theater thing and survived. Ask me questions.

[theatermajoradvice]

i’m considering joining a new youth theatre for their production of sweeney todd. johanna is my dream role, & she fits my voice/look. i think my odds are good since my friend who’s at a similar level as me got the lead there before. however, it costs $500 and the cast list is announced after we pay. i love the show, but worry that if i don’t get the part i won’t want to do it anymore. i’m not sure if it’d affect me that much, but i’d certainly be disappointed. thoughts? should i still sign up?

I’m not a big fan of these types of “pay to learn” productions. I’d definitely look into what they are offering you for your money. Do they offer private lessons to improve your technique in the songs you’re cast to sing? Dance classes? Acting lessons? What are you getting for the 500$? If it seems worthwhile, think of it as a class, and if you get the part of not you can have a good learning experience. If you think you’ll have wasted your money if you don’t get your part, wait for a community theater or local theater to do the production. Johanna can be played by a surprisingly wide age range, so you have time! Considering you’re probably young, you also have the option to include “Greenfinch” in a senior performance or as a competitive solo! 

[theatermajoradvice]

One of my good friends and I are in the final 3 for a part that has been on our dream roles list for a long time. She has expressed multiple times how important this role is to her and I don't know what to do when the cast list comes out. If one of us gets the role, the other will be crushed. Any advice?

This is absolutely something almost all actors have struggled with, especially in a small setting high school or a college theater program. 

I will say it does get easier as you keep going in your theater career. Often you will be the “type” for a certain part and will become friends with other people that are your “type” and you’ll see them over and over in different casting calls and callbacks! What has helped me with this problem, and overall in auditions, is remembering that the people casting are human too. If a friend gets a part and you don’t, or the other way around, you may never know what the reason was. It isn’t a defining ranking of your talents. Back in high school my senior year, we did a show with a female lead. As a senior I assumed that would be my part. A sophomore got the role, and I realized I was play a male character role that was much more interesting! This could always be the case for either of you. Any part you get (or no part) be happy for your friend, and realize that if you get it and she doesn’t, she may need some time to feel better.

[theatermajoradvice]

Hi! I need some advice! I'm a junior in high school and I'm going to start applying for colleges soon. I know I want to go into theater (I've loved it for so long), but I don't have any experience outside of school plays. Is it possible to achieve my dream (being on Broadway one day) with a BA in theater, or you need a BFA for a better chance of doing theater professionally?

From what I’ve seen the BFA students typically do better, but that is for a number of reasons that create correlation vs causation. Essentially, people who apply for the BFA are generally more talented due to having an audition to be entered into the program. The BFA program (typically) also is more rigorous and focused on theater vs. giving you time in your schedule to try other things, have a minor or second major, etc. The third thing is that from my experience, BFA programs generally have better connections to the wider theater scene in the area, and therefore setting up better opportunities for students to enter an acting union or simply having better communication with when auditions are, and the familiarity means it is more likely for them to get cast in roles with those theaters. They also tend to take fewer students, which ultimately leads to more feedback and better training. Overall, I think BFAs simply are more dedicated to doing theater full-time as a career. BA’s either started in a place of less experience (ie auditioned for a BFA and didn’t get accepted), wanted other options to fallback on, or wanted to do theater in addition to doing other work. 

[theatermajoradvice]

Hi so I have acmadations and I will be starting college in august should I tell my professor that I have them I'm afraid he might be prejudice and not cast Me

Hi! I’d love if you could be more specific? If you need specific accommodations because of a disability its always best to let someone know. Certain roles do have needs, but there are usually ways that directors (especially in an educational setting) can adjust to have you be able to fulfill a role. Aside from this, I assume for your degree you will have to participate in a certain number of performances anyway, and therefore accommodations will have to be made none the less. Its best to let you directors/professors know ahead of time! 

[theatermajoradvice]

Hi! I'm a 15 year old girl and I'm currently in my school's play. I am a main role and I was recently informed I would have to kiss my cast mate during a wedding scene. As a highschooler, this is extremely awkward and I know I will be mocked endlessly. I don't HATE my cast mate but he's not the best guy; I couldn't just go to him and tell him that I'm feeling nervous, he would just laugh at me. I know everyone will tease me and this is my first kiss. What if I mess up somehow?? Help!

Oh for the days when a stage kiss was so stressful. If it helps, assuming it is the “you may now kiss the bride” portion of a wedding, it won’t have to me a long or over-the-top kiss. I’m sure a peck will do. 

My advice is to treat it just like any other thing that you do in acting. Oftentimes you will find a character you play doing something that you wouldn’t normally do, dancing, being a bully, fighting someone, or kissing them. If anyone is making fun of you and doesn’t understand the difference between you, the reality, and the play, which is fiction, they are immature and you should brush it off as best you can.

If you act like the kiss is just like any other part of the show, hopefully your scene partner will as well. If HE is making it a big deal, shrug and tell him its just acting, because it is. If the kiss is causing drama or making it hard to act together, go to your director and find a creative solution. Maybe there is a way to work around the kiss, or to change the lines so you can hug instead. Focus on doing a good job in your role, learning your lines, and showing off your acting skills!

[theatermajoradvice]

I've been doing theater since I was eight, been in or done crew/sound for over 20 shows, and have had the same director for almost all of them. They know that I am experienced, but now as a Junior in high school, my biggest role was just 10 lines and a short song. I just got casted in a show and I got another ensemble role. I'm starting to lose hope in my dream of doing theater for a career, especially since my parents don't want me to go into the arts. I love theater, but?? I don't know anymore

First of all, I will say that high school theater is not a good representation of how you will do in collegiate theater, or in the “real world” of professional theater. Often times in theater there are other factors at play that are very different in other settings. 

Secondly, you may have been cast in that part of a reason. My senior year I didn’t get cast as the female lead in my schools play because we didn’t have enough boys and my direct didn’t think any of the younger girls would be able to pull off a gender swapped role. Whatever the case is, a small role doesn’t mean you can’t kill it!

Third, theater is a hard career overall. It is a hard truth to learn, and it isn’t something I really put into perspective until mid-college. If you are worried about not being able to make it full-time in theater, think of ways you can do theater AND get paid! Do you like kids? Teach theater! Do you like business? Go into communications! And there are a million more options. There are SO SO many avenues that open up when you come with the skills theater gives you and it is more than possible to work and do theater instead of just working in theater. 

[theatermajoradvice]

Hi!! I really need some advice. I’m in a competition at a local college trying to win scholarships. I have to read Lucy Van Pelts “Queen” monologue from YAGMCB. Competition is this weekend. I have all of it memorized but I have no clue what to do about body movement with this piece. I’ve been trying to work with both simultaneously but I always got scared I wouldn’t have it memorized and focused on that instead. Do you or your followers have any advice of what I could do? Thanks in advance!

There’s a saying in theater that basically says “the real acting can’t start until you’re off book.” Meaning, most of acting isn’t just remembering what to say, but how you say it and the way you use your body to make it real. My best advice is to:A) FILM YOURSELF! Say the monologue a few times and just move as you like. It might feel weird, you might not like watching yourself, but it will help. You will notice movements that make sense or that don’t, or you might notice spots in the text that need movement where there isn’t any. Maybe it makes sense to walk, maybe gesture, or to be still and let the words have an impact. Watching different things you do will also help build a physical vocabulary for the character. Just because a “kid” is doing this monologue doesn’t mean you have to interpret it that way, but it can be help. Do they keep their hands high above their head? Gesture widely with their arms? You can keep these things in mind if you can see how they look.

B) Have someone watch you that knows what they are doing and will be honest. You need someone who will help aside from “That was good.” Who can give you actual feedback, or at least ask clarifying questions that you may not have thought of. “Did you know you stood in one spot the whole time?” Etc. Two heads is better than one, and an outside perspective can give you ideas you may have never thought up. 

C) Figure out how the character moves. Don’t worry about choreographing precise movements throughout the monologue, considering the competition is coming up quick, this sounds like more stress and can often look unnatural. Instead, think of how this character moves. Are they fast paced or slow and steady? Do they wander around or move with purpose? Having a couple ideas in mind will make it easier to improvise and move believable. I talked more about this in the first answer as well.

I hope this helps!  

[theatermajoradvice]

This isn’t really asking for advice but I’m so socially anxious, I’ve only ever been in 4 plays/musicals in my life, I’m 18, and now I’m going to be a theater major because acting is literally the only thing I want to do, I can’t even fathom doing something else! I try to think of great actors/actresses to admire that didn’t start until college to help motivate me! And I love reading about stories where actors used to be really shy, it helps a lot. I know I’ll get there someday!

And doing theater is a great way to learn to become more confident, speak out, and find your voice in the same way that deciding to become a biology major will teach your about science and deciding on a Spanish major will force your learn Spanish. If you are dedicated to it, you will get so much out of theater classes at your school! Yes, a lot of people come in with experience, but people also come in with little experience, or experience that is different.

[theatermajoradvice]

People tell me that I should grow my hair out (I'm a girl) if I want to be a theatre major in college. Do I need long hair for that or is it okay to have really short hair too?

I thought I answered this forever ago, but it’s still in my messages so here goes:

You can do either, but the haircut may make your “look” more suitable for different character types.  Long hair will be more traditional girl types, feminine, ingenue, etc.  A short hair cut may give you opportunity for less traditional parts, funny characters, badass girls, more androgynous characters (surprisingly popular in Shakespeare) etc.  So if you aren’t sure, maybe try the long hair, see what roles you’re getting, and then short hair if you want to change it up.  

Depending on where you are studying theater, it may not even matter.  If it’s a large, well-funded program, they’ll have wigs if you need long or period hair, and if its a smaller program they may not have enough people to choose based on small things like haircut.  

[theatermajoradvice]

If I want to major in theatre do I need to grow my hair out(I'm a girl) or is it okay that my hair is really sort? People keep telling me to grow it out.

Naw girl do whatever the hell you want with your hair.  To be fair, you may get different parts with longer/shorter hair.  But if you are the right fit for the part than your the right fit for the part.  If you’d like, keep it short for a bit and if you don’t like the way things are working out, then change it.

I will say that being a theater major is not as competitive as being a professional actor in terms of a specific “look” a director wants.  What will get you noticed and cast is talent. 

[theatermajoradvice]

Hi! I love theater but want to pursue Film/TV. I have a strong resume with a lot of commercials and short films. But, I am also supposed to choose a college and my major. I also have a passion for politician science and communications. I feel like if I pursue these in college I will be dropping my aspirations to become an actor. I wanted to move to LA so that I can do both but do you think this is possible?

Depending on where you go, it is possible to take classes in a few different things.  Major in acting, and start a minor in communications or polysci or both! Taking the classes may help you figure out if it is actually the career for you.  Plus! In the professional world there is a ton of overlap between those areas of study.  

There are even some colleges that let you create your own degree if you pick three different areas of focus.  Do what feels right for now, understand that you may change your mind, or learn new things to inform new career paths.  It’s ok!   

[theatermajoradvice]

Auditions: Just Do It

One thing I can stress enough is learning how to do well in auditions.  This isn't even a matter of getting into a show, that is up to the director, what show it is, who else has been cast and a thousand other factors.

Especially if you're on break, have graduated, or are just in an audition lull, just do auditions for the practice.  Print a headshot on regular paper, try a different resume format, learn a new monologue, whatever.  You're not planning to actually get into the show, so there is no pressure.  

This gets you into the habit of always being prepared when an audition you care about does come along, it gets your name and face out their, and you may end up getting into something you wouldn't have considered before.

[theatermajoradvice]

All I've wanted since I was 5 is to be on Broadway. I'm so afraid I'm not good enough, but all I want to do is perform. What if I can't do the only thing that makes me truly happy?

Dreaming big is always tough because it seems like everything is so far away.  One thing to keep in mind is the difference between dreams and goals, both are important. Goals are tangible: being in the school play, singing a difficult song, getting better at jazz dance.  Dreams are big and they do change.  

Another thing to look at is what is appealing to you about being on Broadway? Is it the performing? Making art? Entertaining people?  If Broadway doesn't happen, or still seems far off (because these things take time) you can find other things that are just as fulfilling.  Figure out why it is your dream and realize that you have talent and will do amazing things that will make you happy.

[theatermajoradvice]

Hi! I'm a highschool senior and got into SFAs theater program. But my biggest fear is not having a good enough job, or I won't love theater when I'm 30 or 40 (want to go into film)

The greatest thing about getting a theater degree is that it's incredibly versatile!  You are still building social skills, team working skills, creativity skills, research, physical activity, writing, etc, etc.  

If you do end up trying theater for a few years and find something new, you can always go to grad school or get internships to learn the specifics of that trade.  

Personally, I discovered about a year ago that I really wanted to get into environmental work.  One of the most important aspects of that is awareness! My professors were all super impressed with me because I was thinking up all of these photo campaigns, art works, and memes that would get people invested in environmental causes.  

I also like writing, and have fiction novel in the works.  Am I the best writer? No, but I have a lot of experience writing and storytelling because of my theater classes.

It's all about what you want to do.  I strongly encourage looking for a minor in something you think is interesting or could open more doors for you.

Good luck!

[theatermajoradvice]

Monologues 101 (part 1 of some number bigger than 1)

So you're in high school and want to audition or be apart of the magic that is collegiate theater.  If you're like me and the theater department at your high school wasn't a big thing then you've probably not done a monologue before.

The definition of a monologue is a length of text that is spoken by one character in stage in front of or to another character.  This can often be confused with a soliloquy, which is a length of text that is spoken when a character is alone on stage.  A length of text that is spoken directly to the audience can be considered either.

The thing about doing your first monologue is that people will sometimes tell you to get a "big book o' monologues" and pick one you like.  While this is good advice for a beginner, don't keep doing it once you get the basics down.  The problem with these books is that for the most part they are just monologues and are not taken from whole plays.  For college and professional monologue work you will definitely want to pick something from a whole work so that you know the context and can dig into the character development.  Also "book monologues" are generally spoken directly to the audience like the actor is telling a story, which is not a normal occurrence in plays.  But for now, to learn the basics of a monologue, these will work as a sort of practice.

Monologues are a challenge for many reasons, but a few things to start with are how they are different from normal text.  There is no one to play off of or help you out if you get lost, just you.  So memorizing that amount of text is something to work on by itself.  Learning how to connect thoughts and have a good flow of speech is essential.  How to engage the audience by yourself is important and is not something that most high schoolers have had the opportunity to do before.  

Plus monologues books are cheap and not having to read plays upon plays will take some pressure off for now.  Not many people enjoy picking monologues because of how complex they can get, so for now just focus on the basics.  

I will get into more detail on monologues from plays later, but if you have any other questions just send me an ask.  I love to help! 

[theatermajoradvice]

Meet Everyone and Kiss a Little Ass

Just a little though.

Just strictly with numbers alone, the more people you know the more opportunities that will come your way.  Usually it will come from people in the business, but sometimes not.  Maybe you're marketing friend has an internship and they are in need of an actor for a commercial.  Maybe your journalism friend needs a model for an article she's writing.  You never know!

The more people that know you are nice, outgoing, funny, smart, hardworking, whatever it may be, the more good word will get around.

Along with this, it's ok to kiss a little ass.  But like I said, just a little.  Don't be fake, but if you genuinely like a director, co-star's, friends work then lay on the compliments baby!

My experience:  There is a local director in town that has harvested a cult following for the 50's horror/sci-fi movies he makes.  I heard about him through another director that I've worked with.  Not only did that director put in a good word, but at the premier of his last movie I impressed him by showing a genuine love of his style and by dressing up in vintage ware. 

[theatermajoradvice]

Assume you'll get a callback

So usually I don't like to assume I'll get a callback, not because I think I did poorly, but because I don't want to get my hopes up or start making plans around a show until I know for sure that I'm in it.

However, this has also caused scheduling conflicts for me.  Callbacks are always short notice so they can end up being a pain in the butt.  What I've learned is: unless you were just auditioning for fun and/or have no intention to be in the show, always always have the callback free.  Take off work, get your homework done, don't schedule another audition.  Just don't.  I've seen way too many friends be like "Aww I can't make the callback, I hope that doesn't affect whether I'll get cast!" 

It always does.  If you don't go to callback, they will forget about you.  Yes it sucks, but make the time.