So I had this idea about taking all the experiences (I guess I’ve had quite a few…but also not very many, in the grand scheme of things) in the theatre/art industry to help young/ rising artists in this world. As a twenty-something trying to forge their path in an artistic field.
I’ve realized that I love to mentor/guide/give people advice that I wish I had when making the decision to pursue theater. I am also the kind of person who wishes they could just buy a guide book to life and Amazon Prime that shit right to my doorstep (10/10. Would read.) and follow it word for word so I don’t have to make hard choices. But I guess if I can help/ make this world a little less scary and overwhelming to just one person, I have accomplished something.
…
Which brings me to my first topic!!
Who the heck is this chick!?
You:[AT COMPUTER, POSSIBLY EATING, ROLLING EYES IN DISGUST] At, this point, WE’VE ALL SEEN RENT, LADY. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
How I made my decision to pursue theatre.
In high school, I always got really good grades in everything. Always involved. Honor Roll. 2 Choirs and 2 bands. #involved. On top of that, I LOVED theatre. I took Dance Class, Voice Lessons, Piano Lessons. If I was gonna do something, I was gonna do it RIGHT, DAMNIT (Jk, I didn’t swear Back Then…I grew up in Michigan.) Anyways, my Junior/Senior years of High School, I was in 7 shows…on top of all my lessons….and I acted in a haunted house, but whatever. There was also a shitton of Glee reruns in there somewhere (This was during Season 1, Okay!? Dont Judge.)
ANYWAYS…Since I lived in the middle of no where, and my family didn’t particularly care for theatre, I relied on bootlegs that my friends found online and Musical Movies (That were just starting to become popular). I made my friends watch the Into the Woods DVD (The one of the actual original broadway cast. You can buy it on Amazon. You’re welcome.) because THEY DIDNT KNOW INTO THE WOODS IF THEY’D ONLY SEEN THE SCHOOLS VERSION OF INTO THE WOODS JUNIOR. THE SECOND ACT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT. #drama. I was also a ~*regular*~ on the site Musicals.net, where I would nerd about musicals with internet strangers (Back when internet strangers weren’t as accessible….and a lot sketchier.) Anyways, I think you get the point. I liked theatre.
My mom was trying to get me to pursue music, and I didn’t really want to, but felt that I wouldn’t be competitive as an actor (I was only ever a slightly above average ensemble member at best).
My voice teacher was actually the person who talked to me about my other options in the theatre (what? There are people other than actors in theater?) This was when I realized that I’ve always loved the part of the show process where I got to try on my costume for the first time. Hands down favorite part. This was enough for me to believe this meant that I should attempt to live in that feeling for the rest of my damn life.
I went to Ithaca College for Costume Design…This was literally thee only school I applied to. (Ithaca or Bust?) I strongly believe that I probably wouldn’t get in there today if I were applying for undergrad. This is mainly because I didn’t get my application in until the very last possible date (Welcome to theater…) and also, I didn’t schedule my interview until the week before I wanted to go. (Now, apparently, Ithaca pre screens interviews? So I hear?) Anyways. I walked in, with a manila folder of some drawings I’d done, a binder full of programs of shows I’d been in (WTF, Past Me??), a picture of a costume I made for a Lady Gaga concert, and my acting resume. They said the interviews would last 30 minutes…mine lasted 10. I cried all the way home to Michigan because I was never getting into Ithaca…I was accepted 2 weeks later.
And fast forward a number of years, and I am still extremely passionate about theatre and costume design, and only increasing in my nerdiness for it every day!
Moral:
Now that we’re a little acquainted, on with the tips! Hope you enjoyed this…I hope to update quite regularly.
