Community Arts » community arts theater

What should I do to help my chances of getting into the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:07:08 +0000

I’ll be entering highschool in the 2012-2013 school year.
I already participate in community theatre productions and work with one of the best acting coaches in LA- so I have that part covered. However, I want to attend the New York City academy. (I don’t know if that matters)
What I’m looking for is advice on any other types of classes (i.e. voice, dance, etc.)
Also, what classes should I focus on in high school? Do AP and Honors classes make a difference? Would taking theater arts classes be a waste of time? Stuff like that.
Thank you(:

If you work with one of the best acting coaches in LA ask him. He should be able to answer all your questions.

What community college in Oregon is good for the Arts?

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:00:14 +0000

I just moved from Colorado and wanted to get back into school. I haven’t quite made up my mind but I’m interested in Theatre/Performing Arts (mainly the makeup and costume side of things) and music. I’ve looked at PCC, CCC and Mt Hood. Im looking to just get an Associate of Arts Degree but if I end up really enjoying it, I might continue for a Bachelors Degree.

All opinions are welcome.

You should google it.

What is the deal with all these Adjudicated art/music/theater competitions?

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:05:37 +0000

Maybe I’m just too old to understand all these new fangled ways–but I don’t get it. Why would I want my painting, band or play Judged by some panel of experts. I thought this plague was confined to high schools, now I find it in community theaters too.

I’m a full-time professional quality manager, so I understand the concept of being audited, but in my opinion, the market place and the students are the best judges of the success of an arts program, not a bunch of snooty academics picking and finding fault with little nuances the public will never see and couldn’t care less about.

Am I wrong?
What’s the point of this silliness?
Should real world results count more than silly, artificial "grades"?
What do you think?

I am an adjudicator, so I expect you to hit me with your best shot. No, art cannot be *reduced to a number* – but there are practical applications for adjudication – and many places where, as you say, it is irrelevant. If we wish to offer students the opportunity to perform in Honors ensembles, such as All-State, then some form of adjudication and competition is needed. Leading up to that level, there are preliminaries for younger students, all of which we endeavor to make a positive growth experience. I have sent thousand of kids over my teaching career, and as an adjudicator, I have heard thousands. I often have 10 minutes to hit seven major categories, check off points, give pluses and minuses for certain areas, write a narrative about their performance, and still hear their scales and sight-reading! More advanced kids get 15 minutes – and the works are often long, so we need to make cuts. Each year, we expect to see the student progress through the six levels of literature offered in each instruments or vocal area. Here in NY state, we hear about 300,000 kids a YEAR, so need to be efficient, if we are going to continue to offer this service. Not all students wish to participate – fine. SOME teachers require this as a type of independent final exam – that is up to the local school district and the policy of the group that the students has freely chosen to join.
If you move up to college auditions, then certainly adjudication is necessary – there is quite a difference in the ability level of a student who is accepted to Oberlin than one who is accepted into a Department of Music in a local state college. The students who attend the latter would like to think that yes, they COULD have gotten into Juilliard – if only (fill in the blank with the lame excuse of your choice) – but we know that to be a fantasy. There are a lot of fantasies HERE on YA; if you stick around long enough, you read questions in mis-spelled English from kids who want to know of they can study hip-hop at Jooleeyard (the only college they have ever heard of . .), since they already have taught themselves the ukulele – and they don’t need to read no freakin’ notes, and don’t wanna take lessons from no stupid teacher! At some point, some judicious mid-course adjudication would have prevented an eventual broken heart – and possibly convinced this student of the merits of legitimate study. When I try to tell them that – I often am met with incredible denial and resistance – but I got to be Top Answerer here for a reason, and this is sincerity (some call it v bluntness – hey, I don’t have all day, you know . . ) and quality of my advice. Not everyone WANTS advice- some people just want you to AGREE with them, right or wrong . . .

Yes, the public can discern quality – even if they do not have the background to analyze why. I watch the Olympics – I could never in a million years do ANY of that – but I can recognize quality. I watch ML baseball, college basketball – again, skills I do not possess, now or ever – yet I can tell quality from lack. Yes, the public votes with ticket sales – same as in professional music. But to GET to that level, students and amateurs need some kind of motivation, and a dispassionate way to be assigned to the spot that makes the most sense for them, and for the greater good.

I am reading between the lines here – but from your question, I *infer* that either yourself or a loved one was denied a plum spot in an amateur production, and are therefore miffed. If so, perhaps the "real word results" need people who possess different skills than you presented? Diplomatic enough?

Ideas for community college theatre?

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:08 +0000

Hey everyone! I was hoping some to get some ideas from other members of the performing arts community. The community
College I’m attending is just now getting it’s theatre program up and running. We are looking for a production to do. However, we have limitations and are a little stumped. We need something that’s 2 or 3 acts (1 1/2-2 hrs). We decided no musicals. We’re working with an auditorium and a low budget for set and costumes. Last year we did a successful production of steel magnolias and another one act play. This time around we’ll need 9-13 parts and roles for male and female. ANY ideas would be so greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks in advance!!

The Laramie Project can be shifted to hold that many people, it’s a good, albeit controversial play, with little to no props and set necessary. It’s a good start if you want to cause a stir, too. Definitely suggest it.

are there any adults that do community theater as a hobby?

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:00:07 +0000

If you already graduated college and majored in a different area rugs cheap profession than musical/theater/art do you still continue to act sing toy kitchen or dance as a hobby? are you expecting to reach a higher dream someday soon? Plenty. Just don’t do it if you’re hoping for a steady paycheck, or even a sufficient one! As an art, you do it b/c you love to do it. The really lucky ones make $$ doing it.

Who should I get the letters of recommendation from?

admin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:54:06 +0000

You have to have two letters of recomendation from “someone who is familiar with your arts progress” Like my school drama teacher? Or if say I take an acting class that lasts for a couple of weeks? My parents? A … Continue reading →

Is it possible to go to a university and community college, while also attending Job Corps?

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:24:23 +0000

I know its possible to go to 2 colleges at the same time if you sign something and have both schools permission, but can you do that while also being in Job Corps?? Technically, that’s attending 3 schools so I’m wondering can it be done. Id like to study EMT at the junior college, theatre at the university, and my trade in Job Corps is Culinary Arts. Job Corps will pay for my culinary trade, as well as my associates, so I would use that for the university and then financial aid for the community college.

As long as it doesn’t interrupt with your vocational training then yes.

ACTORS , ACTRESSESS , PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS ?!?

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:38:21 +0000

Hi (: I’m going to be a freshman in high school and i’m working REALLY hard on starting to get a really impressive high school resume for my college applications . I’m more interested in getting an athletic scholarship to oklahoma or texas at austin but what i’ve recently been extremely interested in for some reason is getting into Juilliard . I’ve been in programs for performing arts so i’m no oblivious to the art but i was wondering from anyone who goes to a performing arts school or maybe even a student at juilliard or a school like it to give me advice on what to work on and focus on before i fill out my application senior year . i’ve signed up for drama all through high school but i know thats not going to cut it . i’m applying for acting . i’ve been in plays in a community theater and i can sing too . dancing really isn’t my thing though , could this affect me ?! please help ! thanks

Hey! I’m going to be a sophomore, and going through the same thing as you!! I LOVE acting/singing/dancing and I’ve signed up for drama for all of high school. But there’s no way you can get into julliard right after graduating. It’s the hardest performing arts school to get into in america. As I once heard someone say, "Julliard doesn’t teach you how to perform, they perfect your performance." You don’t have to go to Julliard to become an actress. Look up the Tisch (I think that’s how its spelled..) school of the arts. That’s a good one.

How do I find acting opportunities as a 16 year old girl?

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:33:18 +0000

I’m 16 and living in a small town near Jacksonville, FL. I go to a school of the arts for theatre performance and I participate in community theatre in the area. But if I wanted to pursue career, what are the steps I should take? I know I cannot just jump into hollywood. I need to start somewhere though, where do I find opportunities?

Since you’re 16, MAKE SURE YOUR PARENTS ARE INVOLVED AND SHOW THEM THIS ANSWER.

I’m an LA Actor giving you the REAL DEAL!

Here’s the cliffsnotes version of what you can do to do to get into acting and eventually get an agent:

1.EDUCATE YOURSELF FIRST!

READ (check Samuel French, libraries, and bookstores):

*=Highly recommend

Acting business:
*How to Be a Working Actor-Mari Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers
*Self Management for Actors-Bonnie Gillespie
-Acting is Everything: Gold Edition-Judy Kerr
-How to Get Arrested-J. Wallach Michael and Paul Thurwachter
*An Agent Tells All-Tony Martinez
-How To Book Acting Jobs in TV and Film-Cathy Reinking
-One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor’s Survival Guide-Markus Flanagan
-So You Want to Be in Showbusiness?- Steve R. Stevens
-Acting Truths and Lies (purchased at www.info4actors.com)

Acting:
*Book the Job-Doug Warhit
*Intent to Live-Larry Moss
-Acting for the Camera-Tony Barr
-Acting in Film-Michael Caine
-Acting Class: Take a Seat-Milton Katselas

Method Acting:
*Art of Acting-Stella Adler
-Sanford Meisner on Acting-Sanford Meisner
-A Dream of Passion-Lee Strasberg
-On the Technique of Acting-Michael Chekhov
*Actor’s Art and Craft-William Esper
-The Power of the Actor-Ivanna Chubbuck
-No Acting Please-Eric Morris
-Respect for Acting-Uta Hagen
-Challenge to the Actor-Uta Hagen
-You Can Act!-D.W. Brown
-Strasberg’s Method-Lorrie Hull

Comedy
*8 Characters of Comedy-Scott Sedita
-The Sitcom Career Book-Mary Lou Belli

Improv
-Anything by Viola Spolin
-Steve Book on Acting: Improv
-Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out-Mick Napier

Auditioning/Cold Reading:
*How to Get the Part Without Falling Apart-Margie Haber
*Audition-Michael Shurtleff
*The 15 Guideline Map to Booking-Amy Lyndon
-The Best of You-Craig Wallace
-Secrets to Successful Cold Readings-Glenn Alterman

2.GET TRAINING!

Regardless of how "naturally talented" you might be, you NEED training, PERIOD!

Definitely take classes in:
-Cold Reading/Auditioning
-Improv
-Scene study
-Commercials

3. Get GREAT headshots

Here’s is a good place to start:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8011031/m/246101692

4. Build Your Resume and Reel Doing Student films and Indie Films. Also do plays to build your acting experience.

Sample Resume:

How to make an ACTING resume:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091011203729AAkQetj

The ONLY LEGIT Online sites that you can find jobs on your own through:
ALL SITES NOT LISTED BELOW ARE QUESTIONABLE!

-ActorsAccess.com
-LACasting.com
-Nowcasting.com
-NYCasting.com
-NYCastings.com
-Backstage.com

Free but proceed with caution:
-Castingcallsearch.com
-Mandy.com
-Craigslist

5. Get an Agent

Look up LEGIT agencies here:

http://www.agentassociation.com/

http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent

To get an agent, you need to get GREAT headshots, a good resume, and training from the best. These are enough to get you a commercial agent at least. Getting a GOOD theatrical agent (Film/tv) takes longer. Most good theatrical agents won’t see you unless you’re SAG, have a polished resume, and a demo reel. Commercial agents are more lenient about that. What the best Commercial agents want to see on your resume are good commercial classes, improv, and cold reading.

You can get an agent multiple ways. Here are a few common ways:
-Mail in an unsealed manilla envelope with a CONCISE coverletter and headshot with the resume stapled on the back. If you have a demoreel include that too.
-Attend a showcase and impress them. By showcase I do not mean scammy conventions like IMTA, IPOP, Proscout, or Best New Talent. I mean legit ones like at Actor Connection, Reel pros, Network Studios, etc.
-Get a referral from a friend who is with the agency that you’re interested in

DON’T
-Email them unless they tell you to. IT’S UNPROFESSIONAL!
-Call unless they tell you to. ALSO UNPROFESSIONAL!
-Walk in and ask for a meeting. UNPROFESSIONAL THREE!
-Sign with them if they ask for upfront money, make you take new photos with THEIR photographer, or take THEIR classes. Agent’s ONLY make money when you do. Agents usually make 10% on film/tv and commercials and 20% on commercial print

Tips on becoming an aspiring actor from other actors?

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 07:34:17 +0000

I live in Raleigh, NC and I am an aspiring TV and Film actor. I’m considering going to community college in my area and doing community theater, and then going to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts or the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. I have another plan to go to a 4 year university and just study Theater. I’m asking a serious question, and so I’m looking for serious answers, specifically from other people who are in the business.

Hi – it’s an excellent plan.
Thank heavens for someone who doesn’t imagine that they’re going to turn up at an open audition, having had no training or experience and immediately get offered the lead role in the next Oscar-winner!
This is being realistic. And this is the way to maximise your potential of succeeding as an actor.
Advice? Just keep on with this plan, never be unkind or mean to anyone you meet along the way – you never know who they are or might become! Be polite and kind to everyone, and don’t let anyone convince you that the only way to get anywhere is to trample on people who get in your way. Side-stepping them is a far better way!
Always be modest and sincere, hold onto your dreams, but be prepared to work very hard to get them.
Listen to your tutors and consider everything you are taught – but don’t always accept that their way is the only way. Think for yourself.
Good luck – with your attitude, you’re going to make it happen.
xx