I am going to assume that the reader is one who knows that there is no other thing in the world that they want to do more than to perform--or perhaps the reader cares for someone who fits this description.  What I am about to share is the truth as I know it and believe it to be--as an actor, a mother, teacher and more importantly as a human being. My advice is simple:  Know the truth and then pursue it truthfully!

Last year, my eldest daughter Raffaela and I had the privilege of performing in a concert presentation of The Scarlett Pimpernel. It was a wonderful experience.  We met and befriended the young woman who played the part of Marguerite.  She was beautiful, vibrant, and amazingly talented.  I asked her many questions, and instantly made a connection with her because she was warm, approachable and just a regular person like you and me.  She grew up in a small town in the Midwest.  She explained that at a very young age, after seeing a local production of Annie, she found her calling--she wanted to perform on the Broadway stage.  Like many of us, she took advantage of as many local performance opportunities during her youth as possible.  I was curious about her training because I, although trained and experienced, didn’t attend a conservatory or traditional college theater arts program and find the prospect of my daughter’s ensuing educational journey in musical theatre daunting.  In fact, both of my daughters have proclaimed after performing in a local production of Annie that they want to be actors too!

This young woman lives in Queens, has an agent in New York, regularly attends auditions for national tours, equity theater and Broadway, but doesn’t book the prestigious jobs that she so desires.  There may be many reasons for her not working as much as I believe she should, but I want to focus on one piece of her journey, specifically her college senior showcase.  She attended the acclaimed Michigan State University’s Performing Arts program and graduated with honors.  She loved her experience and spoke of it fondly.  She only spoke with regret when she discussed her senior showcase.  She wasn’t given a lead or even a featured role and therefore, it didn’t jumpstart her career the way it did for some of her peers: she didn't land an agent immediately, wasn't invited out to Los Angeles to work in television, didn't join a National Touring company.  She explained that she just didn’t fit the traditional template “they” (the department) were looking for--as in her look, height, ethnicity, sound, etc.  Nevertheless, with glimmer in her eyes, she still spoke optimistically about her chosen profession to be a Broadway star.
Not long after hearing this story, my daughters experienced a few casting rejections of their own in the Long Island teen theater world.  Anxiety, competitiveness, self-doubt and then tears over rejection have become part of their creative process. As everyone know, this can be overwhelming and the tears don't only come when they don't land lead roles, but also over the cattiness and diva attitudes that exist out of jealousy when they do land lead roles!  It's hard to fathom that I could continue to watch my children helplessly endure this constant struggle in doing something they love and find pleasure doing.
 
If we as actors or even human beings spend all of our energy trying to figure out what “they” are looking for, then we stop moving forward in our careers and lives.  We become stagnant.  It reminds me of the saying, "you're spinning your wheels.”  Try this visualization:  A Rat Race - rats running on a spinning wheel with no purpose or goal other than spinning their wheel.  Eventually the rats stop at the very same place they began.  Isn’t there an easier way?  This doesn’t sound productive or even fun.  Aren’t we supposed to enjoy and find pleasure in our chosen career?
 
Well here it is, according to me:  Know the truth and then pursue it truthfully! 
 
If you do this, then you won’t be spinning your wheel.  Instead, you will have a path in front of you that you may create as you go.  You will be you, and happy about who you are and where you are.  Although you may experience disappointments along the way, you will actually move forward on your journey.   I promise, it will be a journey filled with self-discovery, creativity, love and yes…work!  And work that you will be proud of.  This is what I have told my daughters and will continue to reinforce.  I have also been applying this over the last year or so to my own life and hope that my daughters will see my truth as an example.  Why do we continue to beat ourselves up over not fitting into the “template” or because you aren’t what “they” want?

Why not just:  Know yourself...Love yourself...Be yourself...Share yourself.

Don’t get caught up trying to be what you think the casting person is looking for or what the musical theatre “template” may be at any given moment because it will constantly change.
 
In order for most theaters to exist, they have to follow the rules of business. For example, a college’s senior showcase is a business/marketing tool that generates revenue. The more students highlighted in the senior showcase that fit the template for professional musical theatre jobs, the happier those attending industry folks will be.  They’re paid when they book an actor.  It’s basic economics:  supply and demand.  Whatever the demand is, the agents and casting directors will be searching to fill it.  It’s up to the University Theater department to deliver the supply that fills the demand so that reputable industry people will keep coming back to attend the University’s showcase.  This allows the University to advertise in the admissions marketing plan the wonderful senior showcase and the reputable industry folks who attend.  The University is a business and creates competition by increasing the number of student prospects, therefore increasing the chance of admitting the highest caliber (supply) to fill the ongoing demand!  This all equals $$$. I do believe the big picture puts it in perspective so as not to drive one crazy over something you do not have any control over.

Focus on being prepared, doing your best and having fun throughout the process.  This will get you noticed.  This I assure you will allow you to stand out.

This is also true once you are out of school. Shift your energies from worrying about what “they” want, to celebrating who you are and then sharing that with the rest of the world.  I am not a famous actor and haven’t earned a living as an actor.  I am an artist and finally earning a living by sharing who I am in a variety of artistic ways: acting, writing, directing, singing, and teaching.  It’s taken me a lot longer to figure this out.  To know who I am, to know what my gift is and to just simply share my gift with others.  This has transcended into income and work on a different level.  Now I am living my life with this new information and hope by example and conversation, my children will truly understand the words:  special and unique.  Each one of us is a miracle.  This miracle in itself is a gift.  The ability to express this is an art form no matter what it is that you do--acting or some other career.  Be open to sharing your gift.  This you have control over.  All the other stuff is just wasted energy. 
 
I attended a master class with Tyne Daly at the Cherry Lane Theatre last month.  She is so wise!  She made a few jokes about her age, the business, unemployment, the ups and downs of her career, etc. One thing she said was very profound and had to do with having faith in something greater.  I am paraphrasing a bit and adding my own interpretation, but what she said was clear.  It validated my own belief.  Actors are human beings who use the human condition to express the truth.  Call it skill. Call it talent.  It is a gift.  According to Tyne Daly, it is “God’s gift” and it is the responsibility of the actor to share it.  I believe there are those who understand this, believe it and as a result are successful in everything that they do.

When you understand that your individuality is a vehicle to share your gift, then you will express your unique self in only the way that you are capable of doing.  No one can compete; there is no competition.  You won’t need to spend one more second worrying about “they” or that template any more.  You will just be.  You will celebrate the wonderful energy that only you are able to bring to the moment you are in! 
So do not fret about your senior showcase, or your upcoming audition, or if you are what “they” are looking for.  Just know the truth and pursue it truthfully! 
 
As always, break a leg. Email your comments, questions, advice, theater accomplishments or inquire about coaching with Maria at mariacapp@optonline.net








 

SIMPLE GIFTS PRODUCTIONS, located on Little Neck Road in Centerport, is seeking
DIRECTORS & CHOREOGRAPHERS for their 2010 winter programs.
Please send resume/letter of interest to
Dr. Karen Van Houten (Artistic Director) at DrKVanH@optonline.net

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A NOTE ON THEATRE ETIQUETTE
Moms and Dads...Teach Your Children the Basics of Theatre Etiquette when you take them to a show...

- Most theatres will tell you that the use of cameras and tape recorders during a performance is strictly prohibited.
- Out of courtesy to the performers and everyone in the audience, please refrain from using cell phones and electronic devices in the theatre. Please be sure to turn off the audible features of these devices during the show.
- Snacks and Beverages: As a courtesy to your fellow audience members and the actors onstage, please unwrap any candy, mints, or cough drops before the performance begins.
- In an effort to keep the theatre clean, please be sure to collect any trash on your way out and deposit it in a trash bin.

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