<p>My son has decided not to audition for any of the summer stock companies this summer. He is a freshman in a BFA MT program and most of his classmates are doing the big auditions such as StrawHats. </p>
<p>His current plan is to work part-time, continue with his online business making digital sheet music and audition backing tracks, and hopefully do some film and television work locally. There seems to be a lot of filming going on every summer here in the Washington DC area. He has done some small roles and been offered others that didn't work for his schedule. "House of Cards" has been renewed for another season and he'd love to get some work on that show because he's a big fan!</p>
<p>I am concerned because it seems as if he'll be falling behind his classmates if he doesn't work in musical theater this summer. He says, on the contrary, he really needs to start building up his "reel" because he doesn't have time during the school year to participate in student films.</p>
<p>My son is auditioning for some (mostly Shakespeare) companies and internships. His dad and I have encouraged him to audition, because he needs to get comfortable with the process (and also fun to hear about). We recognize, though, that it’s early days and he may end up at home scooping ice cream for the summer. He’s doing ITAs this weekend. (Illinois Theater Association). Must be harder at Ithaca, though, since you’d have to travel to everything, and who has time for that?</p>
<p>That is an interesting question since mine is also looking to build her reel and gain on camera experience this summer possibly in NYC or New England.</p>
<p>There are ton of student film listings at backstage.com, and I assume you could get in touch with the reputable film programs to find out how to get information about casting calls for student films. I know there are also extras facebook pages for Chicago Fire and Mind Games, two shows that film in Chicago, and assume that shows filming elsewhere might have these kinds of pages. </p>
<p>I think there are many, many paths to success for our kiddos. A lot depends on what his school-year program includes: one bit of advice I heard is to try to do something “different” yet related in the summer. For example, if your school is heavy on the training, light on the productions, try to get more production experience during your summer break. Or if you are burned out from back-to-back-to-back productions, take a class in something you find interesting that may not be offered in your regular curriculum: clowning, circus/aerial, mask, stage combat, etc. If your program is focused on stage acting vs. film acting, try to get some experience in front of a camera (much like your son is planning.)</p>
<p>Another great option is working “behind the curtain” - interning doing stagecraft, etc. Our D interned last summer for a Shakespeare festival, and learned to weld, construct sets, faux-paint, you name it. She found it to be an invaluable experience.</p>
<p>I’d say - trust your son’s instincts on this . . . it sounds like he has a good plan.</p>
<p>Be careful what you hear from others - it’s often only partially true. As a freshman he has two or more summers to work summer stock, it’s not a big deal. Many of his “friends” are probably going for internships at these auditions, not fully paid company roles. It’s a great experience but there’s no need to rush into it after freshman year, relax.</p>
<p>Earning money to survive on might be a fine beginning to his career!</p>
<p>My son is acting in the local Shakespeare Festival. Small role, but good experience. They also bring in folks from NYC and other larger cities. Rehearsals are in the evening, so I told him he needs to get a job during the day. I’m not “funding fun” at college. He’ll be a freshman MT major in the fall.</p>