By Eric Gelb
In the theatre, we’re surrounded by friends, co-workers and directors who all share the love and enjoyment in creating entertainment for others. Even though the world has evolved into a world of technology and social media, it still leaves a lot of room for the theatre. A lot, actually! This is more than evident – more theatre organizations and educational programming exists than ever! This means more inquiring minds and excited young kids with a desire to learn and play in the theatre. With no formal “checklist” of how to go about being the best member of the performing arts community in the theatre, I’ve taken the courtesy of doing some of the hard stuff for you!
Being an Active Member of the Community
The biggest and more helpful way you can be apart of the theatre is to get involved. It’s as simple as signing up to be an usher at your local theatre playhouse to assisting a director at your high school’s show. Either way, reaching out to organizations and directors will allow them to know that you are interested and willing to play a role in their theatrical universe. Not unlike other careers and pastimes, it’s necessary to pay your dues before reaching outstanding heights in the theatre. Not only is it respectful to the world of the theatre, it’s helpful. It takes a village to produce anything remotely theatrical, and help is always appreciated and acknowledged.
Receiving Training and Experience
Beyond helping out at the theatre, it’s incredibly important that you train in your own field. As a musical theatre performer, you should train with a vocal coach and take dance twice a week. As an actor, you should plan to meet with your dialect coach often. It is not merely as satisfying to just audition for shows than constantly be working and adjusting your craft. Once you fall into a routine with training, keep at it! There’s no way to reach your highest potential without a little help from the people in this business that know it the best – the educators. Especially if you plan to audition for large and demanding roles, it’s your part to have the training and the tools to do it correctly and safely. Whether or not you know it, performing vocally demanding roles without the training puts the entire show at risk. What if you blow your vocal chords because you didn’t have the correct training and the show has to cancel a performance? The entire cast feels the repercussions of your actions due to your lack of training and care. Additionally, education in the theatre can teach you how to best treat your body outside the theatre to protect your instrument.
Being Kind and Welcoming
While it’s true that it’s a competitive business, there’s no need to be nasty. Sure, it might be fine to lend your friends a pair of tights or your t-straps, but you probably shouldn’t tell her your audition repertoire and your plans for how you’re going to play a character at callbacks. Even so, it’s important to be kind. Not everyone plans to major in this in college, and not everyone has the same level of talent. Remember your place and who got you there!
These are just a few ways that you can shape the way you present yourself in auditions, the rehearsal room and as a guest at the theatre to be the best member of this magical community that you can be. The list doesn’t end here – I encourage you to silently think of your own list of how to make sure your role in the theatre is practically perfect in every way!