<p>I'm just wondering what everything thinks about pursuing a performing arts degree. The probably applies to all the performing arts in various ways but it has definitely been very troubled in the last few years. Since this is the musical theatre board, I'm wondering how what everyone thinks of the recent trends on broadway- i.e. major commercialization, lack of imagination in new musicals. </p>
<p>They NY Times Chief Theatre Critic Ben Brantley recently wrote an article on the poor state of this past season of musicals on Broadway. He appeared on the WNYC radio show Soundcheck. A link of the show/MP3 is below. </p>
<p>What is your reason for going into musical theatre? Is your dream really to work on Broadway?- where IMHO (and many others like Brantley) has turned out mostly crap for awhile. (There are exceptions, The Light in The Piazza and from what I've heard, Avenue Q) </p>
<p>For those who think they can CHANGE the state of musical theatre, do you realize artists have little control over the decisions of the corporate shadow like ie Disney? (Even the composers/lyricists have little say nowadays; they are for the most part hired hands rather than people with creative control, let alone the actors, ensemble members, and the dwindling pit musicians who fights tooth and nail to keep the corporation from replacing live musicians.)</p>
<p>Would you mind directing at a local theatre if all else fails? Or would you not even attempt to pursue the big time and go straight back to your hometown and direct GREASE at your high school for the rest of your life?</p>
<p>For me, theater is the only thing I can see myself doing and appearing on Broadway would be the highlight of my life, all the better if I can do it many, many times. Yes, Broadway is kind of in a rut, but I think it will improve. Obviously, Broadway is my career goal, but, even if that never happens, I will be happy as long as I can maintain a performing career. I think I could even enjoy teaching theater or music because I could still feel like I'm involved in the subject matter and making a difference in the lives of kids by exposing them to shows and songs and experiences that they may not have otherwise encountered, as many teachers have done for me to this point in my life. And if I can help them grow as people and artists I will feel completely successful. Of course, I could never give up performing, but even if I'm just doing community stuff, I'll still be up there doing it. Making acting my sole, steady career would be my dream, but, if I do absolutely everything I can and it never happens, I could still be content.</p>
<p>I think as people who are pursuing musical theater/theater with a passion, have to deal with the ever changing state of Broadway. If people buy tickets to see commercialized shows, but don't buy tickets to see other things like Light in the Piazza or Avenue Q mentioned above, then us actors won't have a place to go. Yes, you can say it's crap, but you have to keep in mind that these sort of shows bring in other people to watch live theater as opposed to movies. I think some critics need to back off this whole bash Wicked, bash all the other mainstream commerciallized musicals, because all they are doing is starting a fire that does not need to be started. I don't think people went into X-Men: The Last Stand thinking it was going to be the next Godfather, I know I didn't, and I think that we need to take what's going on in Broadway as an extension of what people want to see. If you don't like it, don't see it. If you don't want to be in it, don't. As to what BroadwayBound88 said, I do think that the role of a teacher is incredibly important, and I think that BroadwayBound88 definatley hit the nail on the head with still performing in community stuff even if he/she (sorry BwayBound, I don't know what gender you are), is not doing it big time.</p>
<p>I don't believe this is the first time that broadway has been bashed for showing 'fluff' stuff. The demise of broadway has also been predicted more than once. In most arts there are ups and downs and trends that may not have long term staying power, but I don't think that means you just give it up.</p>
<p>Good luck to you. Have you shared the school that you are heading to? I know you had discussion about it, but I don't remember seeing the actual school name. Thanks!</p>
<p>I dont think Broadway will be the epitome of my career. To be frank, I look forward to hopefully working in many regional theatres and national tours. Broadway would be nice, but its so fleeting. I'd much prefer the comfort of a repertory company</p>
<p>The main problem I see is the flood of movie based musicals (hairspray, the wedding singer, Lord of the Rings etc.) with a few exceptions (Spamalot because the creator of the movie did the show and it is pretty different), but it seems that writers have lost their will to create something new or adapt the not already adapted they just want to slap some songs onto an old script and charge us $100 to see it. What makes me laugh is that the truly original musicals seem to be the most revered such as Ave. Q and the Drowsy Chaperone but hey what do I know they used to adapt from plays and now it's from movies.</p>
<p>Wait until they get the material from Reality Shows- How about Survivor The Musical, or Big Brother XVII The Musical? My personal favorite will be Top Chef, The Musical. I would actually pay to see that one.</p>
<p>The La Jolla Playhouse in the San Diego area is one theater that previews plays before they hit Broadway. Billy Crystal played his one-man show there last year and received feedback (literally the audience gave him "notes"). </p>
<p>I read in my local paper, that Jersey Boys started there as well (shocker). Anyhow, the theater just opened a new musical with Broadway talent based on Dr. Zhivago. It sounds really interesting. The music was written by the sister of Carly Simon. </p>
<p>Anyhow, I'm hoping to try to see this one prior to our June college tour. Perhaps there's some hope on the horizon.</p>
<p>Fishbowl- I am counting on you to write the script, and lyrics. BTW, when someone reads this, writes it and makes a ton of money, I want credit. Maybe my D can get a part in the chorus line! It actuallu could be a very fun show...better than Jerry Springer, The Opera.</p>
<p>How about one based on college admissions....think of the ballads! The big dance numbers!! The drama...the suspense...The rousing show-stoppers!!</p>
<p>Seriously, to answer the OP: I hold extremely high regard for those of you who have the courage to go for that dream and pursue a BFA and get in that dream program. My own daughter agonized when she was a senior in high school over the fact that, though she had spent almost her entire life dreaming of going into theater (as a dancer/musical theater major), she discovered in HS that she REALLY also wanted more academics than she felt she would get in a conservatory environment. So she just finished her first year in a very good liberal arts college and hopes to major in neuroscience...and is still pursuing dance/MT. She is currently working in a show and we had a long phone conversation just the other night about how this experience is reaffirming her desire to have a go at that "life" when she is finished with her degree. </p>
<p>I guess my point is, you must do what feels right for you. My daughter said the other night that she sometimes wishes she was more narrowly focused on dance like she was when she was younger; it just seemed much simpler somehow to her. But this, for her, feels like the best thing to do even though it is difficult at times to "juggle" two different lives...</p>
<p>And I must say I am proud of her for doing a pretty good job of it.</p>