So you want to pursue theatre in college...

You're finally an upperclassman in high school, and you spend all of your free time doing theatre whether it is at school, in a community theatre, taking acting, voice or dance classes and your parents ask the question of the year: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Suddenly thoughts flood your mind of waking up everyday and doing what you love everyday, no math, no science, and no more history. But, how do you know that you're really cut out for majoring in a theatre degree? Here are some questions you should ask yourself.

1. Can you imagine yourself doing anything else?
   Picture yourself being a nurse, could that make you happy? Try and imagine yourself being a teacher, could you be happy there? If you can see yourself doing something other than theatre, maybe pursuing theatre isn't the best idea. Why? Being in a theatre career is hard, there is no such thing as a stable job, the money is not great, it is a cut throat industry and in college your major is your life. So if you could see yourself doing something else, save yourself the time and money and try the other non-theatre thing first.
2. Do I have what it takes?
   Most people have will or they have skill. To have what it takes you'll need to have both, the will provides your motivation; to audition, to keep challenging yourself and never stop learning. The skill comes in when you have to get into college theatre programs, it is what sets you apart from the other 2000 kids auditioning. If you, and only you believe that you have both, then you have what it takes.
3. How do I start looking for college theatre programs?
   This is the hard part, there are hundreds of college theatre programs, some have only acting, some have acting and musical theatre and some have specific majors like a contemporary theatre degrees. Some are Bachelor's of Fine Arts, some are certificate programs and some are a Bachelor's degree of arts. What you need to do is research every program, just find out what the school's offerings are.

These are just the beginning questions of starting the long process. If you have any questions comment or find us on Twitter at @TheActorProbs.

Rock on.

Alie

@Campbellalie

Cast connections

There's a special relationship between a cast that is unique to any other relationship. Personally, I find that my theater friends who I do shows with are closer to me than others. There's a level of trust I give to a cast that I don't give to anyone else. 

Making friends is the first step to becoming a united cast. Often directors are really annoying and separate friends groups at the first rehearsal to force people to make new friends. This, of course, does not work. Theater people don't do well with forced interaction. We will sit around looking at each other rolling our eyes. 

The first friends you usually make in a show are those you're in a scene with. Because you will have more rehearsal together, your desire for interaction will lead you to interact with those you see often. This is good. The better friends you are with them, the better chemistry your scene will have. 

Most of the time, I find myself making the most friends during tech week. Suddenly these people I've spoken to once or twice are all gathered in a space much too small for us and sometimes most of us are half naked. This of course is another example of desire for interaction. And you'll find yourself becoming friends. 

Beyond that, you need to trust your cast to know what they're doing onstage, to not screw up, to not distract you, to make the show as great as it can be. As actors, we make ourselves so vulnerable up onstage for anyone to see, no matter the outcome. We are forced to put so much trust in these people you may not even like. And by the end of the show, the friends you went on with are even closer to you, and the ones you didn't like you have more respect for. Maybe you'll even walk out of a show with a new best friend. 

How to tell if you're too invested in community theater

Community theater cliques are nearly impossible to get into. But if you work your way in, you can make some of the best friends you'll ever have. Here's some ways to tell you're IN. 

1. You and your community theater friends have been in at least 3 shows together

You've known each other since your parents have been dropping you off at churches and middle school auditoriums every day all summer. Your friendships used to take long pauses during the school year, only to pick right back up again when you see each other at callbacks. 

2. You're friends with the accompanist for the auditions. And you totally practice with them ahead of time. 

Don't lie. we're all guilty of this. No questions asked. 

3. You can precast the show and you already know your competition. 

Auditions haven't even happened yet and they might as well post the cast list. Everyone knows who's getting cast and who is playing what. 

4. Your theater inside jokes are amazing

You glance at each other across a completely silent rehearsal and laugh because you're all thinking of the same thing. 

5. You and your friends are most likely the "trouble makers" of the company

"Where's the teenagers?"

Probably outside on the playground in the rain. For fun. 

If there's fun to be had, you're doing it. 

6. You've done way too much tech for the company. And you're not a techie. 

"I'll bring in a prop to use for now" turns into "I'll just do props for the whole show" in the blink of an eye. 

7. You've made some of your best friends. 

Yeah, you may not see them very often, but you've gotten so close to them you have no secrets. It's what doing a show does to a cast. Brings them closer together. And with the amount of shows you've been in together, you're bound to be friends for life.