<p>OK everyone.. here is a very helpful article I found from stage source. I think it has the information every young aspiring performer needs to be completely with it in the early stages of their artistic development </p>
<p>That's one of the best, realistic articles I've seen in a long time. I thought it was going to be all "doom and gloom" but it had a ray of hope and encouragent. Thanks for sharing it.</p>
<p>I almost jumped out of my skin when I started to read the article. It's author is almost my name, exactly! Very weird! Anyway, it was a terrific article. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>Lynn, I was thinking of you when I read it too :). </p>
<p>It is a good article...realistic but also encouraging. One thing to remember is that while those are the Equity statistics, people do get work in Non Equity jobs too so the statistics of working actors are a little better though still tough odds. Lots of tours today are Non Equity, in fact.</p>
<p>However, once you belong to Equity, you no longer have the option of taking non-Equity jobs, with the exception of certain waivers that can be granted.</p>
<p>Musical theater: Such an unreliable, risky career that likely will not yield a satisfying income.</p>
<p>Then why do I want it so bad?</p>
<p>Because it is human nature to believe that one's self will be the in the positive statistics. :)</p>
<p>All I can say is work HARD!</p>
<p>I do take note to the title.."be a musical theater STAR".</p>
<p>No student should EVER plan on being a "star". That's not what this industry is all about. There are working professionals who you have never heard of. They are not the Sutton Fosters and Chenoweths who are on TV, in movies and have record contracts. These "non-stars" work, make a living and, most importantly, do something they love.</p>
<p>That is what this business is all about. If a school or teacher promises to make you a "star", run the other way.</p>
<p>The thing is, it seems from everything that I have been reading and studying about the whole MT industry, one cannot "make a living"(let alone pay back student loans, etc.) unless one is a star. This is given the fact that I can't think of a single time that I have heard a parent or student on this board talk about how their goal is to be employed at say the "Dayton Theatre" (if there even is such a place but hopefully you get my point). All these kids are shooting for Broadway and we all know NYC is NOT the cheapest place to live. </p>
<p>Combine that with the cost of a college education AND the prospect that it is really all about the audition for employment (I mean degree and past experience does not get one the part), I believe there is a good reason to give the pursuit of this career path serious reconsideration and pause.</p>
<p>What I can see happening is the performing arts world becoming littered with the children of wealthy families who can support them while they live and pursue the lights of Broadway.</p>
<p>Okay, I know I am ranting and I am pretty sure there are going to be some strong opinions about what I have just said. So I am bracing myself...okay, I'm ready...let me have it.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>believersmom, I don't have a strong opinion, don't worry! However, while I am sure my D would love to be on Broadway some day, her goals for a career are not so narrowly defined. I think success would be to make it in musical theater. I hope she does though the odds are tough. But there is all sorts of work on stage and that goes beyond just Broadway. Very few will make it to Broadway, but a larger number than that will be successful in having a life in theater. I hope my D makes it on stage as a MT actress. However, I have no doubts that she is capable of related work and other things. Therefore, her degree is of value for the experience itself and the fact that an education is never wasted. I agree, also, that being a "star" is not the goal. I am not concerned about my child being able to have a career. Exactly what her jobs will be, remains to be seen. On stage is the goal but she can be a success off stage too. There is no harm in going for it. Other jobs will still be there and so will the college degree and background.</p>
<p>My passion is straight acting and not MT though I am working up my MT skills to enhance my versatility since the venues I'll try to work do the occasional musical. I know I have no interest in the vanity that is stardom and may never set foot in New Yuck City again after my senior showcase. If I do go nuts and decide I want to sell out and try to be a star, I'll probably try to do it in TV and Film on the other coast. My career blueprint is for my entire performance career to take place in regional theatre, the various Shakespearean festivals, and quality independent film. After doing that for a number of years, I plan to get an MFA in Directing, try my hand at that for awhile while still performing some, and then teach at the college/conservatory level. Yes, there will probably be periods where I'll need to work a day job waitressing or some such, but you can indeed scratch out a living in theatre outside NYC. Actually, I've been told the work can be much steadier as long as you don't plan on getting rich by it and don't mind moving around.</p>
<p>I do agree to an extent about the performing arts world being "littered with the children of wealthy families ..." I also think there are assumptions you can make about graduates of certain overpriced programs. They are ...
a) Independently wealthy, or
b) Have wealthy parents, or are
c) Up to their ears in debt, or
d) Their parents are up to their ears in debt.</p>
<p>That's why I personally think it's a dumb move for kids like me from middle class families to attend schools that cost more than they'll likely ever make in a year if they have other options. I know one of the more talented kids from my h/s class and some in this year's class made rich kids on certain waiting lists very happy and decided to stay in-state where they can take advantage of what's there and hope to get a fellowship to a good grad school later. It's just silly to enter the theatre world with a lot of debt.</p>
<p>"It's just silly to enter the theatre world with a lot of debt."
Ah the wisdom of youth, said so much more succinctly than I said it!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Ah the wisdom of youth, said so much more succinctly than I said it!
[/quote]
It's actually the wisdom of some wonderful teachers I've had who have traveled this path. They always had a sadistic good time bringing new students with diva attitudes down-to-earth. Especially one. I remember once while he was joyfully kicking our butts in Suzuki getting all up in a guy's face like a drill sergeant yelling, "Why do you do this to yourself?! You're poor and you'll always be poor you stupid silly ... ACTOR!!!" LOL</p>
<p>I also agree with the fact that the performing arts communities have become littered with children from wealthy families. So many of the kids I met from BoCo have parents who pay their rent for their apartments and are able to pay tuition without taking out loans. When you have a rich family nestled somewhere in the mansions of Connecticut, what do you have to lose? Why not move to NYC? If you're down and out, mommy and daddy can always loan you a couple hundred bucks til your next gig comes through. They'll even pay for your dance and voice lessons. But if you're a kid like me from a middle class background, a single parent supporting your education, and a tight financial situation, is it even worth the risk? Some of these colleges cost more than what my mother makes in a year. But for some reason, I apply to them. I guess I just have the same hopes and dreams as all of these rich kids, just not the cash</p>
<p>^ I personally find that very offensive. My family has been put in a very fortunate financial position and will not require scholarships or financial aid. However, when I graduate from college, I know that I'd like to try and find an apartment in New York, and pursue theatre or writing, and it never even occured to me that my parents would be the ones helping me along or loaning me money. I fully intend to make a living for myself and save up for a life post-college during my college years. </p>
<p>I am offended because you make it sound like all the kids from upper-middle class Connecticut families rely on their parents instead of talent and their own brains to make it through. When I live on my own, I don't intend to always have everything picture-perfect, not at all. But I never ONCE thought of having my parents' money as a fall-back plan, and I'm offended that you seem to think kids from upper-middle class families are not independent enough to make it on their own.</p>
<p>Seasons, it's great that you plan to be independent when you graduate. But the fact is, there are apparently quite a few young people (not necessarily in the performing arts, specifically) whose parents still underwrite various parts of their lives once they graduate from college. I believe that the New York Times did a big feature story on this trend within the last three or four months. They profiled a number of young people whose parents do everything from pay for their apartment rental fees to send them checks to pay for their cell phone bills! I recall one mom in the story saying that she <em>had</em> to do this in order for her son to live in the style to which he had become accustomed. I personally know of a few parents who are sending their NYC-based offspring money to "tide them over" as they look for work, etc. So the situation another poster described (graduates being supported in fine style as they audition around) apparently is the case in some, er, cases! :)
Is this wrong? Is it helpful, or harmful, to the kids in the long run? I don't know. I do worry that as long as parents are willing to send the money, the child (well, young adult!) won't learn what it is like to support themselves. I worry about a sort of learned helplessness setting in. But I have not been in that situation, so I can't say for sure what I would do.</p>
<p>Not once did I say that "ALL the kids from upper middle class Connecticut families rely on their parents" so I dont really feel as if I made it sound that way. Had I thought that, I would have said so. However, there is no denying the fact that teens from upper middle class families already have an advantage because their educations are being taken care of. And whether you'd like to admit it or not, you DO have the luxury of having a financially stable family to fall back on. </p>
<p>I dont hold that against you by any means, and I'm certainly not saying that all kids from wealthy families dont have to work as hard. But I'm speaking of those few individuals (some of whom i know) who pursue a career in theatre because its easy for them, and not because its really what they want if they knew they may have to make financial sacrifices.</p>
<p>I could go on defending myself, but this is a message board where people are allowed to share opinions, and I stand behind mine.</p>
<p>I'm a middle-upper class BFA student, whose family will NOT support him after college, unless something morbid were to happen. So I do not have that luxury. It depends on the family. I don't have to admit that I have that luxury, becuase I don't. My parents are adamant about the fact that even though they help me through college, I become financially independant once I graduate.</p>
<p>I'm not saying you are wrong MTgeek, but I believe that those you reference to are in a very, very small minority. And, at the end of the day, if those kids don't work hard, it's doubtful that they will be truly successful, so who wins in the end? The kid who gets things handed to them, or the kid who works towards a goal and truly worked to achieve the goal?</p>
<p>chirsnoo, you'd be surprised how large that small minority really is. However, you are absolutely right that those kids do not benefit in the end which is something I strongly believe. As a matter of fact, those are the kids who end up dropping out of college because they realize that even with all of their parents money, they still have to work their butts off to stay in whatever program they're in.</p>
<p>Sorry to sound bitter, but I am haha. But in all honesty, I know how hard it is to be in this profession when you're not sure whether you should use your paycheck to pay for that month's worth of voice lessons, or pay for your car insurance.</p>
<p>Since I kind of started this argument, please note that I said "it MAY be in the future" (or something to that effect if that's not exactly what I said) that the industry MAY become littered with the children of wealthy families who can financially support them through the pursuit of their dream.</p>
<p>Anytime a situation arises where there is a plethora of qualified individuals and a shortage of opportunities, as it appears there is now in MT, only those with the means to support themselves in other ways can afford to pursue their passion. It is constantly stated on this board that if you are not singularly-focused and driven towards a career in MT, best not pursue it. All I am saying is that given what the artcle linked in the OP says, you probably better also have some financial resources OR be that rare "Star."</p>