<p>Point Park will have its senior showcase in NY May 9th. Here is a link to an online article from the student newspaper about the showcase: <a href="http://web.pointpark.edu/%7Estnews/seniorshowcase.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.pointpark.edu/%7Estnews/seniorshowcase.html</a></p>
<p>This is a great thread on which to discuss SHOWCASES! Love, MTmommy</p>
<p>I started thinking today that the non-eastern MT schools are much less likely to have showcases than the eastern ones. Practicalities like time and money obviously enter into the decision whether to participate or not. I know that Fullerton doesn't have one, but a year ago the MT chair told me they had talked about the possibility of doing one "in the future." OCU and OU don't have them, I believe. The Arizona schools don't have them. Does Webster? I'll have to check on that one. </p>
<p>As more and more MT programs are developed, the effectiveness of the showcases may change, too.</p>
<p>Excuse me butting in where I don't belong (but I LOVE MT, so I live vicariously through you folks.) I thought you all might be interested in this look at Juilliard's showcases (albeit drama, not MT).</p>
<p>Thanks for the link! Strange that some Juilliard grads don't know their commercial type yet.</p>
<p>That was a great read! Thanks for posting. Really helps keep things in perspective.</p>
<p>What a great read. I particularly like how he described it as a "marathon", not a "sprint". I think all actors need to think that way. Whether or not our children go to the best schools, have the best training, have the best opportunities and/or experiences, doesn't really matter in the long run. What matters is the strength and devotion they give to their craft, and most importantly, that they keep the passion going through numerous disappointments.</p>
<p>Just my opnion.</p>
<p>mtmommy, yes, Webster has a showcase. I think it may have even been discussed on the Webster thread, but Sue would have info.</p>
<p>OK, that's good to know about Webster! Thanks, Ericsmom.</p>
<p>Just wanted to comment about that Juilliard showcase article -- Thesbo, you comment that it's strange for someone not to know their "type" -- I don't think so, really. Because I think if an actor sees him or herself as a type, there's a problem. A type is something someone else sees looking at you -- and usually they're wrong. We're trained at Juillaird (and hopefully in any conservatory) to be able to do or play anything. We're constantly and consistently cast against "type" -- and that sort of gives us the confidence that we can use our imaginations and technique to play almost any role we find interesting and exciting. </p>
<p>That does indeed make it a bit of a shock to get out into the industry and have people pigeonholing us immediately -- but I think we're better served for it. Rebecca, the actress who the article refers to, is someone I know well. I'm sure she's very aware of her "type" -- basically, young, smart, pretty, classy ingenue. But I think she's speaking a little more ironically. Because you can say "ingenue" and then...what does that really mean? You know? I mean, even looking at most really good, interesting roles in theater, I'd have a hard time saying what "type" they are. Because a good part always has much more to it than a type, just like a person. </p>
<p>It's also a little different in straight theater than MT, in which you can at least say with certainty what kind of voice you have. In straight theater, true range is one of the most important thing an actor can have. </p>
<p>Also, just a little disclaimer for anyone considering Juilliard -- Mahira, who wrote the article, depicts her class as having a lot of contention and going their separate ways post-graduation. this is pretty accurate; her particular group had a really rocky final year of training for a lot of reasons and they didn't exactly wind up the best of friends. But this is not at ALL the norm; it was kind of a big deal because their tension was so rare. Most Juilliard groups graduate with intense and loving bonds, and continue workign with each other for their lifelong careers. A couple people from this year's graduating class are actually forming a company together, along with even some dancers and musicians from the school, and that's a little more standard. </p>
<p>I know I love and totally respect my classmates and only hope I'll be so lucky to work with them for the rest of my life. </p>
<p>So that's my take. :-)</p>
<p>mtmommy,</p>
<p>Here is the link for more information regarding Webster's senior showcase: </p>
<p>:) SUE</p>
<p>Sue:
Thanks for the link! Do you know if these are both MT and regional acting seniors? Do they audition for the showcase or do they all go? I hope the guys are having a great time this summer doing their show!</p>
<p>Annabelera,
Yeah. I completely agree that we need to develop the range to be able to play anything, but was referring to the commercial pigeonholing that is inevitably done in the industry at least in the commercial realm. Good to know she was speaking ironically. We can rail against it til the cows come in, but more often than not, in the real world we get cast like we look, right? Some schools apparently even cast their classes that way and the faculty have to decide theyre marketable to get to participate in the senior showcase. I did notice awhile back that a girl from my neck of the woods who is one of your classmates if youre rising third-year (NB) was playing a leading male Shakespeare role which I thought was kinda cool. Cant remember which play it was right now, but she mustve had fun!</p>
<p>well, I agree that pigeonholing is obviously done all the time and is indeed inevitable, but I don't totally agree that knowing your own type is easy and obvious -- Isometimes two agents/directors/whatever may look at an actor and have totally different ways of seeing them. And I think a good actor can sort of create their own type. But I think other people typing you is basically limited imagination on the part of industry people; they see you do one thing and if you embody it really fully, they assume that's what and who you are, so that's your type and that's where they see you for other projects.</p>
<p>Happens all the time with tv stars -- like Megan Mullally is so brilliant (I think) on Will and Grace and is now so closely identified with that character and "type"...but I remember before she started that role I saw her play Rosemary on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business and would have given you a completely different assessment of her type. It's clearer for some actors than others, those who have a very distinct look or quality have no trouble knowing where they'll fit in the business...but for others, typing is more complicated, where they belong is less immediately obvious. which can be a blessing and a curse.</p>
<p>Anyway.</p>
<p>But YES I know exactly the person you're talking about, and she is indeed a classmate of mine -- you're thinking of when she played Mark Antony when we did Julius Caesar. :-) She's quite incredible. How do you know her?</p>
<p>Anna, I know this is the wrong thread but since you are here....I just wanted to tell you that on another thread, you mentioned you had heard that World Goes Round was no longer in OTC but actually, it is! I was watching last year's OTC on DVD (I know, I know, no kids at home, what I am doing watching them?) and I saw it was indeed still in the show and it made me think to tell you. Also, my daughter said today on the phone that when the current OTC performs at the 30th Anniversary bash at Kutschers (might you go?), that is what they are singing. Thought I would tell you. </p>
<p>Back to this thread....I find your posts about typing, acting, and Juilliard, etc. fascinating, as usual. Also that article was interesting.<br>
Susan</p>
<p>Anna,
I dont actually know her well, personally, but she graduated from my school the year before I got there. I remember being very apprehensive about attending, but when I found out she got in Juilliard and another girl from her class got in RADA and then saw their senior show, I was like Daaang
Gotta do it! Shes still something of a legend around these parts. I remember my own seniors respecting her to the point of terror! LOL You'll actually be meeting a couple of more in the fall if you haven't already.</p>
<p>mtmommy,</p>
<p>Yes, the seniors are a mix of "Reggies" and MT students. They don't audition for the showcase....by the time they get that far (their senior year) they are in tip top form.</p>
<p>The show my Ss are in opened last night....it was wonderful. It's been a great summer and they have continued to learn (of course our perfomring Ss & Ds will always continue to do so...it is part of the territory). Their director worked under Stella Adler and he has shared a great deal with A&N. What I was moved by was the sincere emotion they were able to display...my heart moved when my one S who is playing Eugene welled up with tears in one of his scenes. It was that proudest moment I think I have ever had, besides giving birth to 3 beautiful babies.</p>
<p>OMG....sorry for the sappy gush....I guess we all have then now and then!!</p>
<p>Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!</p>
<p>SUE</p>
<p>Wish I'd been in the audience with you Sue! We understand your pride...and enjoy sharing it with you! Enjoy the run!</p>
<p>Sue,</p>
<p>Apologizing? Here? Don't you dare!!!</p>
<p>I bet I'm not the only one who felt a little lump in my throat reading about your reaction to your boys. I find myself wanting to use yiddish words here when I am really not a very observant Jew, but somehow the Yiddish word "nachas" comes closest for me in describing that almost indescribable gift we're given when we are able to watch our children joyfully persuing their lives. Ain't nothing like it. Enjoy and revel in every moment.</p>
<p>On a slight tangent (brought to mind by the subject of Yiddish words) if there are any, like myself, rabid West Wing fans out there, I'm reminded of one of my favorite West Wing moments, very early in the series I think. Donna is talking to Toby and uses a made up word, something along the lines of "fuh-tutzed" to describe how Toby can make Josh feel when he's being annoying. Toby tells her that it is not a Yiddish word and Donna says that it should be. As a matter of fact, she says, there are several words in the English language that SHOULD be Yiddish, like "spatula" and "farfetched." I laughed for days just remembering it. Oh, Aaron Sorkin, how we miss ya!</p>
<p>Okay, I'm done. (tee hee)</p>
<p>Sue--GREAT news! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful moment with us! </p>
<p>And thanks for the Webster showcase info. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at those showcases . . . .</p>