Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Offer some unusual tips from your line of work

thespian86 · 02-05-2009, 08:59 PM

Actor/Playwright. I'm going to give tips on how to survive theatre:

-Do it yourself. Life is too short to wait around for others to call you. Make your life happen for yourself. So many people I know believe that staying on the course will get you somewhere but the only gaurentee that you'll be doing work that is significant to you is to call your own shots (as much as humanly possible). Trust me.

-Know your limitations; personally, physically, sexually, etc. There is nothing worse then getting a chance in life that you've worked hard for and finding out you are uncomfortable with the work you are being asked to do. Do not put yourself in a position where you have to make serious character compromises.

-Sleep is only important if you don't want to succeed. I haven't slept in years.

-Never be late, do your work; professionalism will get you future work. I know that seems par for life, but people tend to confuse professionalism with being polite in a business as social as ours. It isn't personal (unless you make it that), it's business; either way the business aspect doesn't change. Do your job first.

-Don't sleep with the stage manager. Yes. She/he takes care of your every whim and need. They are always there to support you and catch you when you fall. Yes; It is nice. It is their job though. They will not have a cue to cue mock of your life. There will be no dress run if you fuck them.

-Art is subjective; don't be a snob.

And some general things that you should know about theatre (in my opinion).

-Theatre is not for elitists. Theatre is for humanity. Are you human? Then art is for you! No one says you have to discuss A.E. Housman or drink ironic alcoholic beverages. That is a scene; it is not art. There is a difference and any good artist knows the line.

-There are several different kinds of theatre. Don't go and see Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and decide what musicals are. Don't go see Lion In The Streets and think "What the fuck is going on!? Theatre is fucking ridiculous!?" Take chances; it's worth it.

-Yes, it is rude that you have your cell phones on. I bring this up, not because the ring is on and it's annoying and distracting, but your phone being on "vibrate" for the show fucks with some of the more complex LX and sound equipment. You are literally disrupting and hindering our work. We are being paid. It's like me coming to your IT job and unplugging your computer and complaining about how shitty the your work is.

There is more. I won't force that upon you. Great thread; really great.

02-05-2009, 08:59 PM	#24 (permalink)
thespian86 change is hard. Location: the green room.	Actor/Playwright. I'm going to give tips on how to survive theatre: -Do it yourself. Life is too short to wait around for others to call you. Make your life happen for yourself. So many people I know believe that staying on the course will get you somewhere but the only gaurentee that you'll be doing work that is significant to you is to call your own shots (as much as humanly possible). Trust me. -Know your limitations; personally, physically, sexually, etc. There is nothing worse then getting a chance in life that you've worked hard for and finding out you are uncomfortable with the work you are being asked to do. Do not put yourself in a position where you have to make serious character compromises. -Sleep is only important if you don't want to succeed. I haven't slept in years. -Never be late, do your work; professionalism will get you future work. I know that seems par for life, but people tend to confuse professionalism with being polite in a business as social as ours. It isn't personal (unless you make it that), it's business; either way the business aspect doesn't change. Do your job first. -Don't sleep with the stage manager. Yes. She/he takes care of your every whim and need. They are always there to support you and catch you when you fall. Yes; It is nice. It is their job though. They will not have a cue to cue mock of your life. There will be no dress run if you fuck them. -Art is subjective; don't be a snob. And some general things that you should know about theatre (in my opinion). -Theatre is not for elitists. Theatre is for humanity. Are you human? Then art is for you! No one says you have to discuss A.E. Housman or drink ironic alcoholic beverages. That is a scene; it is not art. There is a difference and any good artist knows the line. -There are several different kinds of theatre. Don't go and see Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and decide what musicals are. Don't go see Lion In The Streets and think "What the fuck is going on!? Theatre is fucking ridiculous!?" Take chances; it's worth it. -Yes, it is rude that you have your cell phones on. I bring this up, not because the ring is on and it's annoying and distracting, but your phone being on "vibrate" for the show fucks with some of the more complex LX and sound equipment. You are literally disrupting and hindering our work. We are being paid. It's like me coming to your IT job and unplugging your computer and complaining about how shitty the your work is. There is more. I won't force that upon you. Great thread; really great. __________________ EX: Whats new? ME: I officially love coffee more then you now. EX: uh... ME: So, not much.