plan a theatre career Archives - Dramatics Magazine Online

How Theatre Prepares You for Any Job

Patty Craft — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:15:08 +0000

Whichever adult(s) in your world mentor you on how to succeed in life, chances are, at least one has said something like, “You can’t make a living in theatre!” As frustrating as it is to hear, let’s assume they mean well. They want you to be able to eventually support yourself in a comfortable lifestyle, and they fear a career in the arts is just too unpredictable — even though that may not actually be the case.

Let’s dispel the idea that reliable employment is only found outside the arts and remind our mentors and ourselves that fear isn’t always right.

The theatre skills you learn in school are vital to success in nearly every field of work, and when the time comes, you’ll find a way to pursue the arts out in the real world if it’s your true passion. Meanwhile, let’s do a refresher on the value of what you’re learning now.

5 Ways Your Theatre Skills Transition to the Workforce

The Bard must have seen into the future and discovered the current social media scene! Shakespeare’s line from As You Like It, “All the world’s a stage,” is embodied on social media every day. Now, you’re wise enough to know that the most effective social media feeds employ serious planning, staging, editing, and branding. Long gone is the notion that a person can simply hold up their smart phone, record themselves, and go viral with their clip!

Even beyond social media, successful entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors, lawyers, political leaders, and, yes, actors, use theatre skills daily. Not to mention there are plenty of theatre careers to consider and many ways that your theatre lessons can transfer to real-life roles. Case in point: Read our story of a self-proclaimed music kid who is now a successful sound designer.

So let’s explore the skills you already have that can help you land the perfect job.

1. Inspired public speaking can be learned.

First off, get your voice warmed up to do its job. Maybe this sounds silly, but warming up your vocal cords and preparing to enunciate so listeners can clearly hear your message is important for speakers as well as singers. Try these tongue-twisters for actors and have fun as you get ready to inspire.

Along with getting your body ready to speak, remember the power of pacing and emphasizing your words. You can partner up with another Thespian and experiment with this technique, taking turns speaking and listening. How does emphasizing too many words distract the listener? How does a slower or faster pace affect the message? Does it become more urgent if said quickly?

2. Clear communication matters everywhere.

Yes, we live in the age of text messaging and texting abbreviations abound. Maybe you’ve experienced miscommunications based on text messages that have left you laughing or crying.

Text messaging is often misinterpreted for several reasons. Perhaps the sender meant their words as a joke, for example, but the recipient couldn’t hear the laughter in their voice or see sender’s body language.

It may be trite and it’s true: An actor’s body is their instrument. The subtleties of facial expressions, hand gestures, vocal inflection, and even the direction in which an actor is speaking all tell part of the story. Try these exercises to improve your presence on stage or improve your general communication skills. You’ll find yourself giving new thought to how you walk, use your hands, and even how you use your facial expressions.

Investing in physical training is always worth the time and effort, especially when we remember how powerful our body is in communicating clearly.

3. Effective collaboration is vital to every show’s success.

We’ve all been part of a group assignment outside of theatre where some contribute more than others. And we’ve felt the resentment of having to carry other people’s loads for that assignment to succeed. Don’t be the one not contributing—you won’t learn anything from the experience, and you’ll be a burden to others in the group.

Theatre teaches collaboration intrinsically. Each member of the company—from the producer and director to all the cast members, technicians, and ushers—have a key job to do for the production to be successful. If even just one person’s job doesn’t get done, it affects the end result. Learning to understand your piece of the puzzle, own it, and execute it with commitment and authority while also leaving room for others to do the same is a valuable skill. Our directors are there to coach us when ideas abound or priorities collide, so learning to let go, readjust, and continue forward in a slightly new direction without derailing the process for everyone is also just as important in the real world as it is in the theatre.

4. Commitment to a collaborative effort includes everyone agreeing on the goal.

In theatre, one short scene in which a character’s greatest challenge is revealed can be the key to understanding their motives. Learning to work with others, whether in an acting scene or on the props crew, improves your value to a show.

When it comes to commitment, do what you say you’re going to do. For example, if you’re struggling to find a costume that’s on your list, speak up sooner rather than later. Maybe someone else on the crew knows exactly where to find that period piece of clothing.

Also, find the courage to say you can’t take on a particular assignment when you know it’s outside your ability or skill set. Perhaps offer to switch with someone who has the required skills. Saying “yes” when you know you can’t do what’s asked sets everyone up for failure. And the other person may have the desire to take on something else. Win/win!

5. Become more coachable and you’ll go far!

What does it mean to be coachable? There are a couple million results if you Google this query, but it comes down to a willingness to change. Yes, the willingness to set our egos aside and try new things that may (or may not) work. It’s an admission that your initial attempt might not be the best or only way to achieve a goal, and feeling safe enough to try a different approach that might not come as easily for you. Being adaptable to various viewpoints and experimenting to get the desired result is a highly transferable skill desired in almost every profession.

And it’s something you’re likely already doing with your castmates, director, or theatre teacher.

Being coachable means having a genuine curiosity about different techniques or beliefs. Communication coach John Millen has these six tips you can learn to be more coachable and ultimately more successful.

Success Beyond the High School Stage

Whether you’re taking on a leadership role and need to command attention on the “work stage,” are leveraging your years of script analysis to improve your written communication, or just working with new people and are looking to create healthy boundaries and collaboration, transferring the skills you’ve learned as a Thespian can go a long way toward helping you advance.

Patty Craft is a regular contributor to Dramatics.org.

The post How Theatre Prepares You for Any Job appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

The Art of Casting

Natalie Clare — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 18:15:49 +0000

Any given production of theatre is brimming with different artistic talents. Lighting design, choreography, costume design, performance — and even casting. That’s how Stephanie Klapper views her role as a casting director for theatre, film, television, orchestras, and other streaming media.

“We’re a designer of the cast,” she says. “Our artistry is a little different to nail down, but I think that’s what we have. That’s our secret.”

Klapper and her team at Stephanie Klapper Casting (SKC) work with directors and producers to connect performers with artistic opportunities. On new pieces and musicals, her team also works closely with the playwright, composer, lyricist, and book writer. As Klapper describes, they develop a deep understanding of the stories and characters in the script, interpret the directors’ wants and needs, and locate opportunities for actors and performers to bring roles to life.

Just like the designers on any given production, their work comes to fruition on opening night when the house lights dim, and the cast takes the stage. Dramatics chatted with Klapper to explore her views on the craft, how she works with her team, and what makes her job so creatively satisfying.

The Process of Casting a Show

SKC is based in New York City. They partner with theatre artists to cast productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at regional theatres across the country, on stages abroad, for television and films, for web-based projects, and for audio streaming works.

When asked how many projects she and her team at SKC cast every year, Klapper says simply, “I don’t count. It’s a lot. We’re very, very fortunate, and it’s rare we’re not doing something.”

No two projects are exactly alike when it comes to casting. Sometimes the SKC team has a few months to cast and other times they have to cast on the fly if a production needs to fill or replace a role immediately. Klapper can recall many times when an actor needed to leave a production due to illness or family emergency, but the show was already running and needed a new performer to step in ASAP. She can also recall a few times when an actor was presented with another opportunity and the SKC team had mere hours left to fill the role.

Nevertheless, Klapper says their process typically unfolds as follows: a director or producer sends Klapper the script, she and the SKC team read and discuss it, they receive character descriptions and character breakdowns from the director, and they bring in actors to audition for the director.

“It’s important to know what directors are looking for, and our job is really to get inside their heads,” Klapper says. “We translate what they say and begin to understand aesthetically where they’re coming from and what the larger project is going to be like. That helps us in terms of the actors we bring in for them.”

Klapper says SKC funnels the input and character breakdown they receive from the creative team into their casting process. They consider people who they have previously worked with as well as people who are recommended by the creative team, people who are both represented and unrepresented by agents, and people whose work has been submitted to them. They keep and reference a list of actors who have auditioned for them and actors who they have been following.

SKC’s relationships with managers and agents are also instrumental to their casting process. Additionally, Klapper watches shows in New York City and around the country and works as a teaching artist and guest lecturer, helping to meet and identify emerging talent and broaden the actor pool to choose from.

Depending on the theatre and the client they’re working with, they’ll hold preliminary auditions in person or virtually, then they’ll coordinate schedules with the director for in-person callback sessions, after which the director makes the final casting choices.

Giving Performers Opportunities to Shine

Klapper says there are a few misconceptions about casting and the culture surrounding it. In particular, she says casting directors are often thought of as “the gatekeepers of the world and the people who prevent people from moving forward.” That’s not how she sees herself, her team, or her professional peers.

“I think, almost unilaterally, casting [directors] get great joy from giving people opportunities. It happens in different ways and everybody’s different in how they do that,” Klapper says. “For me, I just really love giving people the opportunity to shine.”

Being insightful is also a big part of their job. They may spot an opportunity an actor might overlook, based on their skills and talents.

“Sometimes productions are about giving people opportunities to find their talent within a role,” she says. “Maybe we’ve seen something in a performer they don’t even know yet, but they have some special ‘Spidey skill’ that we know this part will help them to shine in.”

Klapper describes the SKC team as bright, caring, respectful, and kind people who care deeply about what they do and about giving people opportunities. It’s an open-minded environment that welcomes different perspectives.

“We have great conversations about not just our profession but the world at large and what’s going on right now. I think we all come from different places of thinking, and I think we’re all very respectful of each other and we share what our insights are,” she says. “Every project we talk about, we each bring something different to the table, and I think that’s what makes us so special in what we do — there’s a lot of perspectives.”

3 Tips for a Career in Casting

We asked Klapper to offer pearls of wisdom to students and young performers. She pulled from 25+ years of experience in the industry and offered this guidance:

1. “There’s no such thing as limits.”

Especially at this time in your life—don’t limit yourself, and know that you’re invited to the table. She says, “What’s great right now, in the culture of casting, is that we’re interested in everybody, in everything, and in great discoveries. We talk more about ethnicity up front now. We talk about abilities and actors who have disabilities and how important it is that everybody’s represented on stage. It’s not just a select group of people.”

2. “Never stop learning.”

Don’t limit your potential in exploring new and different skills. Klapper says, “It only makes you a more interesting person, and ultimately, we’re casting the person — not just the best actor.”

3. “Be kind to other people, be polite, be respectful, and never be faultless.”

It’s important to remember you never know who’s going to be in your life for a very long time. You want to make sure you treat people the way you would want to be treated.

While there are plenty of theatre careers to choose from, casting director are the best of both worlds. The role allows artists an opportunity to have a meaningful impact and closeness to a production, while doing so behind the scenes. It requires fundamental theatre skills, like script analysis, but offers you the freedom to go with your gut and give your fellow actors an opportunity to find their dream roles.

Natalie Clare is a regular contributor to Dramatics, a freelance arts and culture reporter in Cincinnati, and an arts and education marketer. She has a handsome husband, an adorable baby boy, a mischievous cat, and far too many plants.

The post The Art of Casting appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.

Plan a Theatre Career

Natalie Clare — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 19:41:52 +0000

You’re passionate about productions and you need to plan a theatre career. There are people in your life who worry that making a living isn’t feasible (you know who they are!). And yet, the industry offers several opportunities to pursue your passion. So whether your dream role is on the stage, behind the scenes, or writing stories, you can earn a living by doing what you love. A solid plan helps you navigate forward!

But how do you get started? And how do you forge that path forward? Let’s take a look at how to plan a theatre career that lets you love what you do and pay the bills. (Maybe this story’s photo makes you chuckle, but remember that this is your business plan. It’s important! Input from trusted, knowledgeable people is a huge help. You can connect with so many theatre pros and peers at the International Thespian Festival.)

Plan a Theatre Career by Learning

Apply to internships, fellowships, or apprenticeships in any part of the theatre business wherever you can find them. Learning up close in a professional environment is not only an ideal way to polish your craft, but it’s a great way to get in front of theatre artists who can help launch your career.

When you work on contract with a theatre company or organization, you’ll interact with the many visiting artists who bring productions to their feet. Remember that this industry is fueled by personal recommendations and exposure. Having direct contact with the people who may one day hire you is a massive opportunity.

Don’t be afraid to diversify your skill sets, too, by applying to different theatrical disciplines. If you’re an actor, you can still benefit from working with a nonprofit theatre’s marketing department. If you’re a director, you can find your way to opportunities through internships at casting agencies. This is a creative field so go beyond the usual boundary lines you’ve drawn.

Network to Get Work

The theatre industry exists in a sort of bubble. From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand how it all works, and it can be even harder to break into if you’re unfamiliar. That’s why it’s so important to strengthen your networking skills and keep yourself open to making new connections and creating lasting impressions. There are lots of ways you can do it, too:

Professional Networking: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to folks who are associated with theatre companies, or to casting directors, agents and theatre instructors. You can also reach out to professionals whose work you admire and ask questions. How did they get started? What resources do they use for their skills? What are the most important lessons they’ve learned? Most people are happy to share their stories and insights about their careers when given the chance.

Find interest-based networking groups that allow you to connect with others through commonalities and shared experiences. Some of these include Black Theatre Network, La Gente: The Latinx Theatre Design Network and The Magdalena Project.

Peer Networking: Make friends with your peers rather than treat them as competition. Whether you’re at an audition, attending a conference, or sitting (or performing) in class, view the artists around you as acquaintances and stay connected with them. You may find out about job opportunities before they’re published, giving you a leg-up on making a good impression. Think of your fellow emerging artists as part of a community — you’re all supporting one another.

Digital Networking: It’s so important to make yourself visible in your chosen profession through social media these days. A clear and solid social presence impresses employers in this industry and can make or break casting decisions. Show your skills and your personality at the same time by engaging in viral trends. Keep the “social” in social networking by following, commenting and messaging industry peers. Stay consistent with your content to maximize visibility.

Go Pro — With or Without a Union

You should consider yourself a theatre professional whenever you receive financial compensation for your work. That being said, not all theatre professionals have the same structure with their careers. Some professional artists pursue union memberships and enjoy benefits like workplace protection regulations, health insurance, access to legal help, pension contributions and others. Membership often requires that you meet eligibility requirements — that generally means proof that you’ve performed professionally and qualify as a working artist.

Some artists prefer to work without union association. Without it, they have the flexibility to work more fluidly between projects and employers, and they don’t owe any membership fees or dues. It can be less expensive for a theatre to hire a non-union professional actor, which can influence casting choices in a non-union actor’s favor. Memberships with certain unions can also prohibit its members from working for employers who aren’t affiliated with the union itself.

Live in an Industry Town

Emerging actors may set their sights squarely on New York City, but ever since the 1960s, theatre industry towns have flourished in cities all over the U.S. Many of them boast reputable theatres that form a pipeline directly to Broadway or film and television, too. Cities where you can make a full-time career in film and theatre outside of New York include Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky — just to name a few!

Never Stop Learning While You Plan a Theatre Career

Theatrical and performing arts are never set in stone. They change and adapt with the times, ushering in new approaches, styles, and technology. Keep your skills fresh and embrace every opportunity to constantly hone your craft!

Natalie Clare is a Cincinnati-based writer who composes original content for brands, organizations, and publications. As a storyteller, she writes fiction and nonfiction, and she directs and produces works of film. Visit her at nataliecwrites.com.

The post Plan a Theatre Career appeared first on Dramatics Magazine Online.