<p>Three weeks ago my S who is a sophomore MT at Illinois Wesleyan went to an open call at Disney World for a new stage show they are mounting there based on their big hit "High School Musical." He did it mostly for fun as lot of people have told him if they ever did a stage show of it he would have to audition as he is a high pop tenor and a great hip hop dancer. Well, he got a dance callback and then a second callback for the lead role he went to on Aug. 21 and low and behold TODAY they called him to offer him the lead role. Of course this was one week after we moved him back to IWU where he's all settled with a fabulous schedule (4 dance classes, voice, MT workshop, acting, etc) and a part in the fall musical. </p>
<p>It's designated a Principal Performer Role with Actors Equity, full time with benefits, a one year contract with bonus and relocation expenses. He'd have to be down there by 9/12. He (and DH and I) are seriously conflicted. He loves all things Disney and knows he would get wonderful experience and make great connections as well as getting his Equity card. But he also loves his school experience. We are worried about him ever going back to school, something we have stressed was important for him to do if he were going to pursue this business so that he had an education and degree to back him up.
So what to do??? Any opinions are VERY welcome!</p>
<p>Oh my, so exciting!!! If it were my son (at NYU) I would send him directly to the Dean and to his most trusted mentors to advise. The main question to ask himself is, "Is this the opportunity of a lifetime?" Perhaps a leave/deferral could be arranged!</p>
<p>I can't tell you what to do and only your son can decide. But first, CONGRATULATIONS to him on this marvelous achievement. No matter what he decides, he can know that he has what it takes and has a good chance of offers down the line when he auditions. </p>
<p>Your dilemma is precisely the reason my own D who is a rising soph in a BFA program has opted to NOT audition for anything, other than summer professional work. She wants to stay in school and do her training and doesn't want to be pulled in any other direction. However, I know several students who have been in your position. </p>
<p>One got something very big on tour as she was just about to start a BFA program and took a year deferral but then moved to Broadway in the lead role for this same musical and I don't think ever went on to college, though her run on Broadway is over. Another I know, got cast a lead on a tour and had one semester of college left. He took the tour and took a year's leave and is almost done the tour and will now go back to college for his final semester. Another I know is moving to Broadway this fall and is leaving college but may go back. Another I know is taking a deferal from entering Northwestern where she was about to begin. Another who got into an off Broadway show and was in Tisch, switched to Gallatin which is more flexible and in the same city as the show. Another got the understudy for the lead on a tour and took a deferall as she was about to start a BM in Vocal Performance.</p>
<p>My feeling is that your son has to decide if he wants to stay in school or work now. But he COULD take this opportunity and ask for a year's leave from school. This is viable if he is very serious about returning and you can discuss those expectations. It may be a great opportunity for him, Equity, a good credit, and then he can return to school and opt to not audition for things out of state until he graduates. I don't think it is an either/or situation of school vs. work. He can take a leave if it is thought through and he is serious about getting the degree. </p>
<p>Best wishes,
Susan</p>
<p>PS, I didn't see Jasmom's post before but I completely agree that he should meet with Deans and trusted mentors at school for advice as well.</p>
<p>I think this is the oppurtunity of a lifetime. This could open soo many doors for him in the future when he goes back to school and graduates. He'll already have his foot in the door when he gets out of school. I say GO FOR IT!</p>
<p>What does your son want to do, in his heart of hearts? Are you finding that he is chomping at the proverbial bit to do it, or is he seriously conflicted about it?</p>
<p>Jasmom and Soozie - Yes, I sent him right to the Director of MT. He had a great meeting there with her this afternoon and talked about pros and cons. She was very objective and didn't lead him down one path or another. She did think it was a great opportunity and said he could take a one year performance leave and when he came back he would still have his place in MT and his scholarship. He is meeting with one of his acting teachers he really respects at school tonight and also decided to make the trip home this weekend to have a heart-to-heart with his long time mentor, teacher and director who's worked with him since he was 8 years old. </p>
<p>Soozie - I wish he had made such a firm decision like your daughter did (what maturity!) I guess he just never thought he'd get it and felt that the audition would be such good experience. He absolutely wants to finish school and that's what makes the decision so hard!</p>
<p>NotMamaRose - Great question - If I had answered it two weeks ago right after he had the final audition and before he was back at school, the answer would have been he can't wait to go perform in the "real world." He really enjoyed school but had a lot of itchiness to be out auditioning last year. I think going back this year with such a concentrated MT schedule, no adjustment period, more performance opportunities now that he's a sophomore and a reconnection with friends, he's very split. Definitely conflicted! Maybe that's an indication that he should stay in school if he's not absolutely sure. It is a big decision to be uprooted and start all over in a strange city in a work environment. I just don't know! Aaaargh!</p>
<p>I mean, what's he going to school FOR anyway? To some day land a leading role in a musical production and earn money doing what he loves to do, right? He can always go back to school. This is such a competitive field I think one should jump on every good opportunity that comes along. Notice I said "good" opportunity, and after you and he research it and determine it is a good opportunity, well then I say Break a Leg!</p>
<p>Just remember that he still CAN finish school, if he sets that goal for himself when this gig ends. </p>
<p>It is a bit easier to make the choice BEFORE auditioning as to whether you'd want to stay in school, take a gig, take a leave, etc. because once a situation like this arises, it is a conflicted emotion. But so is life. I know my daughter said it wasn't a situation she wanted to find herself in, if she was ever so lucky to get such an offer because she would be tempted to take it so she'd rather just not "go there" because she really wants to be in school right now. But again, your son did put himself in a situation of possibly being cast (I know, I know, who ever expects to really get the part??) and so he had to have thought of the "what ifs" even a teensy bit. Many talented young actors I know have been in this situation and some do take the jobs but then vow and do return to school and just take that one leave. Now, if he returns to school and keeps auditioning for things, that's a different story because as talented as he is, something else will arise. That is why he has to decide how much he cares about finishing school and the training (and the experience itself....like you say with his college peers, etc.) or if he prefers to just seek work and run with the opportunities. Once he decides his preference, he can make either situation work and nothing is forever. </p>
<p>As far as being in a strange city and work environment, he'll adjust and will be doing that many time over in the near future. My child is only 17 (a risiing sophomore in a BFA program) and this past summer, she spent all summer in a strange town and state where she didn't know anyone and was put up in a house to work at a professional theater. She had a car and was on her own. She adjusted just fine (I did too, LOL) and it is a growth experience. I know this would be new for your chlid, but he is at the stage of life (no pun intended) to try out new steps and to fly. My nineteen year old went to France this summer on her own all summer and didn't know anyone either and that was a foreign country. These kids are growing up. </p>
<p>I'm sure your son is conflicted but either choice is a winner and in the end, he'll figure out what he wants to do most. If he takes the job, college will still be there next year. If he doesn't take the job, others will turn up eventually because he found out that he has what it takes to be cast at an Equity job and so the audition experience itself was a very worthy one for him. There is no bad decision here. It is more a matter of preference. </p>
<p>Good luck and again, kudos to him for achieving this. That he has, no matter what happens next. </p>
<p>Congratulations to your son, Baymom! I have to say that, were I in your position, I would let him go in a HEARTBEAT! My D and I have discussed this over the past year and arrived at this conclusion. He CAN go back to school and it looks like his school is quite co-operative and will work with him.They have given him the additional tools that he needs to augment his natural talent.
The experience that your son can gain at Disney is invaluable and they take great pains to make sure that their young performers are well taken care of.
Just as an aside, I write for a major WDW Guidebook, so please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about Disney World and I will help with whatever I can.
Please keep us all updated on your son's decisiions and hid successes!</p>
<p>Baymom, contratulations to your son! You, he, and your husband must be floating on air.</p>
<p>As someone whose daughter has been "in the business" for some time, I have to agree with those who would encourage your son to leap at this wonderful opportunity, mainly because it's an Equity contract, which means he will be treated well. The experience he will gain and the contacts he will make will be priceless. Should this show run for many years, which seems likely, he will always be known as the one who originated his role, something that looks particularly good on a resume. He will probably be well-paid, and, if he's careful with his money, he can have a nice sum set aside so that when he eventually moves to New York, he won't have to worry about finding a non-acting job and can concentrate on auditioning all day, every day.</p>
<p>Some of my daughter's friends have struggled for years to obtain that all-important Equity card. A few have given up and moved on to other things. Even the most successful among the young actors we know, including several who have performed on Broadway, have faced rejection, discouragement, long periods of unemployment, and, in a few cases, illness and injury. The chance for your son to play this role, while he's young and healthy enough to do so, may never come again. It is possible that he may not return to school; on the other hand, he may find that the tedium of performing eight shows a week for an entire year isn't for him, and he may decided to pursue something in a completely different field. His school does seem willing to work with him, and school will always be available; acting jobs may not.</p>
<p>Good luck as you help your son with his decision. I think he will be happy no matter which direction he decides to take. He's obviously very talented; you must be so proud of him!</p>
<p>Baymom - Congratulations! What an awesome opportunity for your son. I hope he feels confident in whatever choice he makes (although, personally I think he should take the Disney job!!!). Best of luck and keep us all updated.</p>
<p>Hi,
My dd is a HS senior this year, and we discuss thi possibility regularly, and her decision hasn't wavered so far. She wants to go to school to be able to be hired. So.. if she was hired now or later before the end of school, she would most likely and definitely take the job, depending on an opportunity to join a union, was it worthwhile, financially, etc.
I agree with the above posters that you can always go to school, and I sometimes wonder if the hiring was not so difficult an issue, if all these kids would spend 4 college years majoring in MT, vs. trying other things they may also be interested in. I guess I would certainly encourage her to go for the experience at hand, and defer school if the school is willing.
I know that would make her happy, and give her not only an excellent credt but a new perspective once returned to school or to try some other avenue.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone for all the suggestions. What all of you are saying is what S is hearing from family, friends and mentors. We have several issues to look at and work out (most notably, shortening the contract so he can go back to school next August) but I think he's pretty sure he's going to take it. It really is too good an opportunity to pass up. Soooo...a new adventure! Things are never dull with out MT kids!!</p>
<p>My husband has a good friend who was at Juilliard many years ago - with John Houseman as his teacher. He was offered a major part in a major motion picture - and asked for his advice.</p>
<p>Mr. Houseman''s advice:
"My dear boy, you are an actor - an actor ACTS. Take the job!"</p>
<p>If the school can offer a deferment - with his scholarship in place when he returns - this is a part he will not be offered when he is 30....sometimes it happens quickly - sometimes it takes a long time - it is just US that have to get used to what the timing might be. (kinda like having a baby....)</p>
<p>My son and I talked about this. If the school is on board, we say go for it! Perhaps you'll keep us posted on how his year goes, and, just as importantly, next fall? Good luck!</p>
<p>baymom
Think of how much better his resume will look when it comes time to look for work after he graduates. Not only will he have his degree, but he will also have that all important first Equity job as experience, along with his academic shows from school, something most new grads would give their eye teeth for! Some jobs are just worth it, and your son has to weigh if this one is or not.</p>
<p>Does anyone here know enough to comment on whether it is actually an advantage for a young person to come out of college already holding an Equity card? I speak from a position of total ignorance, but I have heard that having <em>the</em> card is not always the best position to be in, as it severely limits the productions that one can audition for and be in. But again, I could be completely wrong.</p>
<p>NotMamaRose - see an old summer employment thread that I've bumped for you that has several pages of discussion about whether or not to get equity card at a young age.</p>
<p>My son started earning equity points this summer, but he thinks it is probably best not to earn the card too quickly. In his 3 previous equity shows, he did not choose to sign up for the equity candidacy program. He is now 18 and has just started college. Many summer jobs for college students are non-equity, and quite a few of the touring shows are non-equity.</p>
<p>Just wanted to pop in here, and hope it's not too late.</p>
<p>First, congratulations on the amazing booking. Secondly, show business is very fickle and unpredictable. A role in the hand is DEFINITELY worth two, or three, down the line. So I think your son should jump on the opportunities he is given, because you never know when the next role will be. </p>
<p>What a crazy few days - and a decision has been made - he's going to Disney World! After much agonizing and talking to many wonderful mentors, friends and families (and all of you here at CC), he decided to go for it. One big stumbling block for him had been the length of the contract - it would have prevented him from going back to school next fall semester. At first they told him it wasn't negotiable but he was pretty firm about it. In fact, he said what he'd really like to do is the length of the school year because if he was performing for the year, he'd like to do some school and teach in the summer. They said they couldn't do that but then called him back 15 minutes later. The casting director said she went to her boss and said they had to have him, that he was in the top cast and that he was made to play the role. So he said he'd do it and she thanked him for taking it! (Very surreal conversation he said). </p>
<p>Now it's crazy time, fill out the leave of absence papers for school, negotiate some credits, pack him up, bring him home, re-pack his car and drive down to Orlando Saturday and Sunday in order to have him at rehearsal on Tuesday morning. Dear H is taking a bit of extended time to help him find a place to live and get settled plus ease the transition a bit. </p>
<p>Through this all the school has been fabulous - so supportive. I can't say enough about IWU. His training has been phenomenal (the progress he made in one year was incredible) and they truly care about the kids. I know there hasn't been as much talk on CC about IWU this year as there was when fosselovers D and my S enrolled but those of you looking for a great MT program in the midwest at an academically strong LAC should check it out.</p>
<p>We are still in the equity discussion - I remember the old thread and actually traded som pms with theatermom that I kept for this very reason. So we'll evaluate that carefully. </p>
<p>abparent - I'll certainly give updates - especially on his transition back to school next year. It's still the one question mark that I hope works out smoothly. He is really committed to it and in fact is going to take gen ed credits on line and take some dance classes while down there to get some credits and keep up somewhat. </p>
<p>lulusmomma - thank you so much for all the pms with the housing information. Once that's resolved, this momma will sleep easier.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your input - this board is the best!</p>