<p>Hi guys. This is my first post on this website...I've been lurking around for weeks reading anything and everything in the Theatre Major section, but I'm seriously in need of some help or advice. So here's my situation:</p>
<p>I'm currently a Sophomore in college, an English Education Major and Theatre Minor. I love Theatre. I was involved with it in high school and want to someday direct the shows/theatre program in the school I teach at. But, recently, I've been struggling with the idea of whether or not I should double major in Theatre instead of minor. I know that majoring would give me a step up in the future, especially because I don't currently know much about the tech/make-up/costuming part of putting on a performance since I've always been on stage. My problem is that I'm so incredibly scared of screwing up my audition and not being accepted. I haven't been in a performance in a little over a year, so it's been awhile. I am currently in an acting class which I absolutely love so I'm getting some experience, as well as getting to know some of the Theatre professors at my school (and I love them all so far).</p>
<p>I'm just afraid that I'm not cut out for the college Theatre scene. My first year I was too overwhelmed with all the changes in my life to audition for anything, and this semester I've just been too scared. So, basically, my question is whether I should throw all my insecurities to the side and just go for it, or if it would be possible to be a Theatre director/teacher with what a minor will teach me? If anyone has any audition stories or suggestions of how the heck to find a decent monologue to audition with (because I'm pulling my hair out in frustration) I would love to hear about it.</p>
<p>If you've read all that, thank you so much. I'd love to hear your opinions and any advice you have to offer!</p>
<p>^Agree with NJTheatreMOM, and also suggest you talk to classmates or people a year or two ahead of you in the acting program. I’m all for reading tons of plays and searching for your monologues on your own, but it sounds like you need a jump start, and your own classmates can be a great resource. </p>
<p>If you never try, you’ll always wonder, so I say: go for it!</p>
<p>You are now in an educational environment. This isn’t the real life, competitive world of theatre, it’s a school. You are there to learn, and the program should be set up for that. Go and talk with the teacher of that acting class that you are enjoying, tell her EVERYTHING you have told us. They are there to help you meet your educational goals, not to stand in your way.</p>
<p>I’m not really clear why you are worried about screwing up an audition. Do you need to audition to be allowed to change from minoring in theatre to majoring in theatre? Usually, my attitude is that there will always be other auditions even if I “screw up” one. So I do indeed “throw all my insecurities [of which I have many!] to the side” whenever I audition. That attitude helped me get my first ever film role recently!</p>
<p>How is Not-Auditioning in any way better than Auditioning-and-Screwing-Up? If you don’t try, then you will automatically fail. If you do try, you might succeed, and even if you don’t succeed you will not be in a worse position then if you didn’t try. It’s a gamble, but it’s a gamble where you are guaranteed to at least break even.</p>
<p>If your career goal is to teach theatre in high school, I think it is a great idea to combine theatre with English, because many (not all, but many) high schools entrust the theatre program to the English department. (Some others seem to entrust it to the Music department!)</p>
<p>Thank you all for the answers! You’re all right - even if I audition and don’t make it, it’s better than never trying. :)</p>
<p>I recently talked to both my old high school theatre teacher and my college professor, and they both said they would be more than happy to help me practice my monologue and give me pointers. I’m finally feeling confident about this. </p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice. It was the push I needed to finalize my decision.</p>
<p>My D’s first real role was when she was feeling under confident after not being cast in the middle school musical. After some discussion I said “well if you really want to do this acting work you need to practice auditioning.” She agreed and a couple of weeks later I found a community theatre auditioning a show with a small part for a teen age girl. (At the time my D was a very tall 13 year old.) We went with the idea she would audition for that, and really only for the practice. We didn’t even think she would be cast.
While we were waiting we noticed the director kept looking over at her. He finally walked over and said “Don’t you want to read for Lorelei?” (Lead role). So she did. And she got the lead.
Since then of course there have been many auditions where she didn’t get the part and it wasn’t such a fairy tale ending. But approaching auditions as if they need practice can help your mindset if you are anxious. And you will learn something during the auditions. They can be run in very different ways. Then after some practice, when you are at an audition that really matters to you, you will be used to different methods and feel more comfortable.
Since that very positive audition, my D is not nervous auditioning. She thinks of it as a chance to perform in front of a very small audience. She thinks it’s fun! I get nervous though when we are awaiting results!
Find the fun again for yourself… The first couple may be tough but it will get better. Good luck!</p>