3 answers
Moyemi
Student
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Can i become an actor,writer as well a singer at thesame time? Or w Is what I thought true... I would write ar home,sing at studio and go for theatre art course at the UNIVERSITY, does it work like that
Entertainment and art
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3 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
331
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Moyemi - My whole family has been involved with local theater for 15+ years. From our experience, Michelle gave you excellent advice. A few other thoughts:
- Have you heard the expression, "there are no small parts, only small actors"? We have found this to be true and applies to other roles as well. Be professional and cooperative, regardless of your role. One of our friends was an understudy for several roles in a play in New York, and it was boring and stressful for him. But the writer appreciated his professionalism and gave him a lead role in another play that played in New York and London. One of his costars there was impressed with him and recommended him for a lead in her next play in New York. Many others did great jobs in the ensemble until they got their break; they learned, enjoyed the performing, and nurtured their network along the way.
- Also, get to know the technical side of your medium, e.g., choreography, set design, lights, sound, props. costumes, make up, etc. Many university programs require it because all those elements work fundamentally with the writing and acting.
Good luck and I hope that you enjoy your journey!
- Have you heard the expression, "there are no small parts, only small actors"? We have found this to be true and applies to other roles as well. Be professional and cooperative, regardless of your role. One of our friends was an understudy for several roles in a play in New York, and it was boring and stressful for him. But the writer appreciated his professionalism and gave him a lead role in another play that played in New York and London. One of his costars there was impressed with him and recommended him for a lead in her next play in New York. Many others did great jobs in the ensemble until they got their break; they learned, enjoyed the performing, and nurtured their network along the way.
- Also, get to know the technical side of your medium, e.g., choreography, set design, lights, sound, props. costumes, make up, etc. Many university programs require it because all those elements work fundamentally with the writing and acting.
Good luck and I hope that you enjoy your journey!
Thanks for the advice.
Moyemi
Tammy Prosser
Educator
44
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
There are no set rules for how to get into the performing arts field. You can choose a path to write music/scripts at home, perform songs at a studio (if you have access) and study theater at university, if that’s best for you. However, my experience having gone to college for theater arts is that university can be a wonderful place to learn more about your craft and to explore all the other possibilities of the performing arts world. There may even be an aspect of the field you haven’t yet discovered. Enrolling in a performing arts university can also give you opportunities to connect with people in the field and open doors for potential jobs post college. You also don’t have to focus on only one topic in college. You can double major in theater and music and do a minor in English or writing. If you’re willing to work hard you can explore all of the topics that you are interested in at the same time at university. Going to school may also help you Figure out which of these three areas you have the most talent, passion, and skill for and will help you hone your skills to be your best!
While an artist can perform music, act and write simultaneously it is not likely that you will find success doing all three careers at the same time. You might need to pick one and really direct your focus there in order to break into the field. Of course later on you can shift your focus again and turn your attention to another of your interests but from what I was told during university and my experience in the field is that truly “making it” takes your full time attention. If you want to be a musician you need to have the time and willingness to travel the country to go to gigs and be available for recording sessions etc. At the same time if you’re interested in being an actor, you need to move to a location where acting jobs are available and be ready/available to go on auditions and callbacks. You will need an agent. You may even take a part in a play or movie which means you need to be on set and available for the entire duration of that show which means if you were also trying to be a musician at the same time you would not be able to travel and pursue gigs at the same time. You would have to stop one of your two careers to put your focus and dedication on the other one. In your spare time you may be able to focus your time and attention on writing a script or a book but if you do get a large role in a movie or play or make it big with a band or musician, you’ll need to focus on memorizing a script and being at rehearsals or travel the country performing at concerts, etc. all while then getting proper sleep and nutrition afterwards to fuel your body, leaving little time for you to sit down and focus your attention on your writing. You have some wonderful career ambitions and that is excellent! But it might be wise to spend a little more time really evaluating where your true passion lies so that you can pursue one of the three careers full-time and engage in the other two as hobbies on the side. This is why going to University might be your best first step to really help you narrow your focus. Good luck!
While an artist can perform music, act and write simultaneously it is not likely that you will find success doing all three careers at the same time. You might need to pick one and really direct your focus there in order to break into the field. Of course later on you can shift your focus again and turn your attention to another of your interests but from what I was told during university and my experience in the field is that truly “making it” takes your full time attention. If you want to be a musician you need to have the time and willingness to travel the country to go to gigs and be available for recording sessions etc. At the same time if you’re interested in being an actor, you need to move to a location where acting jobs are available and be ready/available to go on auditions and callbacks. You will need an agent. You may even take a part in a play or movie which means you need to be on set and available for the entire duration of that show which means if you were also trying to be a musician at the same time you would not be able to travel and pursue gigs at the same time. You would have to stop one of your two careers to put your focus and dedication on the other one. In your spare time you may be able to focus your time and attention on writing a script or a book but if you do get a large role in a movie or play or make it big with a band or musician, you’ll need to focus on memorizing a script and being at rehearsals or travel the country performing at concerts, etc. all while then getting proper sleep and nutrition afterwards to fuel your body, leaving little time for you to sit down and focus your attention on your writing. You have some wonderful career ambitions and that is excellent! But it might be wise to spend a little more time really evaluating where your true passion lies so that you can pursue one of the three careers full-time and engage in the other two as hobbies on the side. This is why going to University might be your best first step to really help you narrow your focus. Good luck!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Moyemi
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1855
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Moyemi !
I am quite enthused to answer your great question because you have so many creative interests and I would like to share some advice and encouragement. I get the idea that you want to take a more community, commercial route rather than an academic degree. That's how I will base my advice but getting a degree did get me far with my own acting/theatre career.
You are fortunate in that you are living in the age of technology. You could very well write your songs/stories and perform them on formats like You Tube and others in order to have an appearance to begin with. Most actors act, sing, dance and some do write. So yes, you can do that all at the same time. As an actor, you need some of these skills and it comes with dedication, practice and networking not to mention education . Many towns have community acting classes, too. Networking is crucial. People need to know who you are, know your talent, and get to know your name and your personality. College is an ideal place for this, but so is your local theatre group. Read casting notices and sign up with Actor's Access which are both on line. You will be able to see where and what you can audition for. I have met some well known actors who did not even have one acting class when they began, so you never know what could happen. I do suggest taking it seriously with structured courses or classes and all of those can be found on line through a search for whatever town you live in. Backstage and Actor's Access are a good start and also your local paper may sometimes show notices for auditions depending on where you live (but most are on line).
As for how does it work, well, there's no one specific way it works. You have to know what you are able to do, what you can financially afford and what you want to do. But yes, you can interweave your talents, but it may be at separate instances. Focus on your acting, writing and singing every day. Practice. Obtain promotional material such as photos and a resume. Take all good opportunities to gain experience.
I wish you the very best as you meet the exciting world of entertainment with your many talents !
I am quite enthused to answer your great question because you have so many creative interests and I would like to share some advice and encouragement. I get the idea that you want to take a more community, commercial route rather than an academic degree. That's how I will base my advice but getting a degree did get me far with my own acting/theatre career.
You are fortunate in that you are living in the age of technology. You could very well write your songs/stories and perform them on formats like You Tube and others in order to have an appearance to begin with. Most actors act, sing, dance and some do write. So yes, you can do that all at the same time. As an actor, you need some of these skills and it comes with dedication, practice and networking not to mention education . Many towns have community acting classes, too. Networking is crucial. People need to know who you are, know your talent, and get to know your name and your personality. College is an ideal place for this, but so is your local theatre group. Read casting notices and sign up with Actor's Access which are both on line. You will be able to see where and what you can audition for. I have met some well known actors who did not even have one acting class when they began, so you never know what could happen. I do suggest taking it seriously with structured courses or classes and all of those can be found on line through a search for whatever town you live in. Backstage and Actor's Access are a good start and also your local paper may sometimes show notices for auditions depending on where you live (but most are on line).
As for how does it work, well, there's no one specific way it works. You have to know what you are able to do, what you can financially afford and what you want to do. But yes, you can interweave your talents, but it may be at separate instances. Focus on your acting, writing and singing every day. Practice. Obtain promotional material such as photos and a resume. Take all good opportunities to gain experience.
I wish you the very best as you meet the exciting world of entertainment with your many talents !
Thank you for giving me advice.
Moyemi
You are welcome, Moyemi.
Michelle M.