Saturday, March 28, 2009

Tips for Undergrad Theatre Students

So I know this is supposed to be a "Reagan's Travels" blog but, well, there is very little traveling going on in my life at the moment - merely piles of Theatre Philosophy books to burrow through by Friday. Of course, you can't get the full experience of stressing over a 6000 word essay without a steaming pile of procrastination. As a connoisseur of this dish, I know that a time like this begs the old stanby procrastination...giving useless advice while complaining. Ah yes, a dish best served warm...Here are some bits that I've learned, observed, and discussed with people in the field. Take them or leave them...

REAGAN'S TIPS TO UNDERGRADUATE THEATRE STUDENTS (preliminary procrastination edition)

1. Network! Yes, I know - you are very talented. You've graduated with a skip in your step and now you want to take this industry by the horns! But wait - why do directors keep giving jobs to other people? Don't they know you're out here, fresh and ready to work? Well, no. When you were ignoring all of those guest lectures, opening nights, and workshop opportunities mentioned in your arts newsletter and American Theatre Magazine (see #3), your fellow go-getters were inserting themselves into the vein of the industry. If Tony Kushner is speaking in your town...GO. And read up! You may not get to meet him, but you will sure as anything be mingling with theatre veterans in the lobby afterwards.

2. Don't burn bridges! Skipping out on a few rehearsals of "Kiss Me, Kate" is no big deal, I mean it's only college, right? And who cares if you snap back at the ASM every once in a while. Well, I do. And so do your fellow aspiring directors, stage managers, and actors. Remember, this industry is small and people talk. One faux pas in college may not cost you a job in the future, but don't earn the reputation of being hard to work with - it will follow you.

3. Subscribe to American Theatre Magazine! I think the above two points have said most of it, but this should cement it...if you are planning to work in the industry, you have to know what's going on in the industry. American Theatre Magazine is up to date on news, jobs, and new writing. If you don't live in a big theatre city, this is your link to the outside world - USE IT!

4. Make a reading list! Just because you get a reading list for your classes doesn't mean you should stop there. You are expected to know plays, theory, current companies, etc that are not part of your required reading. Ask around for plays and books that will serve you well in the real world - your professors (and American Theatre Magazine, New York Times Theatre Section, Playbill.com, etc) will know!

5. Talk to your professors! They aren't just there to teach your classes. They know the business, they have connections, and they want to help you.

6. Prepare for your auditions/job interviews! Please, please do this! There is nothing more disheartening than hearing an auditionee ask "So what's this play about?" In college, excusable. In the real world, insulting. This is a job. We want to see people who care about it enough to at least "google" a synopsis (if it's a well known play) or the producting company (if it's a position or new writing). If you don't, there are a bunch of people just as talented as you who do. Sorry, them's the ropes!

7. "We don't have a part that's right for you!" Ok, so of course this isn't always true, but be prepared to hear it. And believe it! So you didn't get the lead in the play...come to think of it, you didn't get any part in the play. Come on, you had to be better than the woman who got the servant, right? "Better" is a subjective term. Maybe you were a "better" actor, maybe not. The point here is that you weren't "better" for the role. You may be a good Ophelia, but you don't fit Gertrude. Don't take it personally and keep auditioning for roles you can play.

8. Know your job and trust your coworkers! Theatre is a collaboration, not a dictatorship. Designers, trust your director. Director, trust your designers. Of course there's room for a clear vision and critical feedback, but in the end, you're each experts in your own field. This goes for actors and techies too - I'm tired of the "I'm better than you" mentality on both sides...knock it off!

9. See theatre! Be honest, how many productions have you been to outside your college this year? I would risk saying for most of you not living in New York, it's not more than 3 or 4. Now, how many of those weren't mandatory? Uh-oh...this could be a problem. Come on, there's only so much you can do in the class room. You need to know what is going on outside of your own turf. Don't make excuses. I know a lot of it is bad. Take a risk. Learn from it or you will repeat it.

10. Keep going! It's your first year out of school. You aren't going to make money, you may not get any roles, you may not get accepted to grad school...don't give up! This industry takes time. Get a second job, go to as many auditions as you can, and reapply next year!

Any comments? More tips? Disagreement? I'm all ears!

R