Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/02 23:09Hi. So yesterday, my amazing school drama director brought in 2 directors from his college, Miami University (ohio), to give us an insight on college and what performing arts are like there. They explained the difference between a BFA and a BA, which helped me alot.
I'm really aiming towards a BFA when i go to college, but the two directors said that if you are, you need to get into college ASAP and get out ASAP, because once you're age 35, your musical theatre career goes out the window, unless you are Bernadette Peters or Patti LuPone.
*SLAP* This really got me down. Im only 15.... but still.... 35 is really young. Then I realized that they might be right. Unless you have world wide fame, you can continue into your 60s.... But then I remembered that (not very well known) Michael Gruber is 43 and going strong, but then again, he's a guy. What do you guys have to say?
Back into the present, I have an audition in 2 days for The Pajama Game. I realized a while ago that I didn't pick the best song ever to sing, but it's too late to change it. I'm singing "Whats the Use of Wonderin" from Carousel. *cringe* But I'm going to ask the accompianist to speed up the tempo a little, and I will add as much character into it as I can. Do you think I could pull it off....?
I'm mostly scared that I won't make it.... I really want to get cast this year. My voice has been acting very strangely since I had pnumonia back in January. I can still sing, but a few occasions have happened when I'm less than 75%. And my mom keeps telling me that I'll end up like poor Julie Andrews and lose my singing completley, which scares the living daylights out of me. My future and everything I've ever wanted.... gone.
Oh jeez. But thank you for the advice in advance!!*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ Annie
currently: The Pajama Game (Employee Ensemble)
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Christine_wannabe
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/03 02:1835! That does seem pretty young!!! That is actually a little frightening, but i have never heard that before... maybe it is just his personal opinion...
Anyways, about your audition, i know you are worried but just try to rest your voice if it is "acting very strangely", and as for you being worried about your song choice, just be confident and do your best!!! As long as your voice sounds great, it won't matter what song you sing. The worst singer at the whole audition could pick a great song and it still wouldn't make a difference! Just go to that audition and blow them away!!! Break a leg!!! -Laura
Favorite Musical: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!!!!!!! As for more "happy" musicals i like BATB, Music Man, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Singin' in the rain!!!
Next production: R&H Cinderella?
“Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best.”
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jameala
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/03 10:42Your career is over at 35? Tell that to Carol Burnett. Remember, opinions are like arm pits - we all have them and most of them smell. Some guy saying it does not make it true.
As far as being nervous about the audition, here is my sage advice: stop being nervous about the audition. It will just screw up the audition. Just go do what you do, have fun in the audition (let them see that you ARE fun) and let them decide. If they don't pick you, it just means that they are looking for a different look than yours, that's all.
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lanilovesyew
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/03 17:18About the career thing: they may consider that true, but not everyone does. Besides, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone can't live forever and who knows, you may be one of the ones to replace them!Current Role: Louise Lerman/Eve (Judy's Assistant) in "Ruthless!" by Marvin Laird. Recently: Lala Levy in "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" by Alfred Uhry. blog:: thedramagirl.blogspot.com
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dramageek4567
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/03 23:31Just because you may stop PERFORMING at age 35 doesn't mean you can't still be involved in theatre! Not saying I agree with what that man said, just wanted to put that out there.I'm Micaela. But you can call me Mickey!
Currently: Taking a much needed BREAK!
Dream Roles- Lucy in YGMCB, Penny in Hairspray (She's hysterical!), Anything in Oklahoma.
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Juliet
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/03 23:50Actually I would say that for most people working professionally, their career blossoms at age 35. 30-40 are prime years for work, possibly the best, and look at all the broadway actors and actresses over 40, 50, 60, and sometimes 70. I feel that its pretty safe to say that your career is not over by age 35. I mean, look at Sutton Foster...Current Show: Coppelia (Swanhilda's friend) Shows in the Last Year: The Nutcracker(Spanish Chocolate, The Prissy Doll) Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), Urinetown (Little Sally), Schoolhouse Rock Live (Dori),
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/04 10:44I think 35 seems quite young, especially for the stage. That's the huge difference between stage and film- there are no close ups onstage, so a 40 year old can play a 20 year old. This has also been done in film. It's very odd that they would say that. It might be harder to establish yourself after 35, but I don't think your career would be over if you had one before... There are some amazing roles for women of that age.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
Currently In: Nothing
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I know that it seems right now that time is going by pretty fast, especially in terms of theatre seasons. But, everyone here is right, you do have plenty of time. Just use that time wisely by continuing to improve your performing skills. This is easier said than done, but don't stress out over any one show. Try for everything and keep looking for opportunities, and eventually you will find something that fits.
When you have time, read some biographies of some performers who had really long careers--there are a lot more than Bernadette and Patti, by the way! Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews, Beatrice Lilli, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Carol Channing. It might give you some new perspectives about time in relation to show business.
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Jbug
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/05 12:20Wipe all negativity off your map. It only leads to destruction. If you really want to make it, just work hard and keep going. Many an actor has been told to give up because of (fill in the blank) and they didn't. Later they got a big break. The main thing is to be ready when opportunity comes and then make the best of it. So that means practice, practice, practice!!!!!!!
Always be prepared. Don't pay mind to folks who tell you things about age. You have a long way to go before 35. They always say if your over 40 in Hollywood, that is the end. Keep on keeping on. Never say never. There are many over 40 who work. You just have to look for roles for folks in that age range. They are out there.
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mrmistofolees19
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Re:Slap in the face/ Audition on sunday - 2008/05/05 21:19Hello again, i guess i'll add to what i said and to what you guys have said (thanks, by the way, audition went pretty smoothly)
I'm an absolute junky about all the current or biggest stars in theatre (like the people myshipp just mentioned). But it seems that they're the only people who keep performing until their death (pretty much haha) because they have a name, and they are famous. **sigh***´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ Annie
currently: The Pajama Game (Employee Ensemble)
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