What's Your Motivation?

      Hello, folks!  So our amazing blogger has asked me if I wanted to write a guest post this week! Naturally, I said yes! Now I will introduce myself: I am Rebecca Short. I am actor, singer, dancer, and pianist. I own the Instagram account(s) @brahdwayy, @rebeccamshort. I also have Twitter: @brahdway, @_rebeccashort. I applied for the blogging application about a month. So that's just a short introduction.

        I really wanted to do this topic for this blog because it's one of the most important things in theatre/theater–however you spell it. Something that is so important in this business is what is your motivation? and do do want it bad enough? The answer has to come straight from your heart. The people you see as professional actors and especially the ones on Broadway are people who don'twant this, but they need it. They need it more than anything. It is the hunger that stirs in your body before, during, after an audition. It is the hunger that stirs throughout your body during performances and rehearsals. It is why I sob after every audition no matter if it is regional theatre show or community theatre.

       Do you want it that badly? 

And what do you do if you want it that badly?

1.) research your craft and show

2.) do your craft all the freaking time. almost no break time

3.) no complaining. shut your mouths. rule number 1: DIRECTOR KNOWS BEST.

4.) work harder than everyone else.

5.) make it your life

6.) no matter how late it is, you stay.

7.) love yourself and be yourself

8.) don't be a diva. patti lupone has the right to be a diva; you don't.

9.) stay kind to your cast mates but be competitive 

10.) stay healthy. maintain a good weight. eat your fruits and vegetables. stay hydrated.

       I really like number four! WORK HARDER THAN EVERYONE ELSE. That should be your anthem for anything and EVERYTHING. No excuses. Look up Sutton Foster's quote about that. She says you must want it more and you must work harder. And that is the absolute truth. I might sound like Abby Lee Miller from Dance Moms, but she's right. Good is never good enough. You have to be exceptional and work hard and be passionate. This is the key to success. And always live by the keys to success.

I hope you enjoyed this blog! And I hope I can do it again! Follow my accounts if you'd like, and keep reading these blogs. Love you all!

Rebecca M. Short

Rehearsal Essentials

Starting off in theatre can be scary, and sometimes, you can feel lost. I put together a list of things that are helpful at rehearsals.

1. Duffel Bag
A strong, durable bag will come handy in a lot of situations. Anything that you would need can be put into the bag and kept in their until the end of the show. Pockets and zippers can help keep you organized and stop from carrying around a ton of bags or forgetting something.
$138--Nordstrom.com

2. Highlighters
Highlighters are super important in the rehearsal process. Highlight lines, important dates, mark out information, etc etc. I found these adorable cat highlights that could be fun and silly to keep around.
$5.69--asos.com

3. Jazz Shoes
Depending on the type of show you're in, you might not need jazz shoes. I like having them around just in case. They're flexible, breathable, and last a long time. While they come more in handy for musicals, you can wear they for other rehearsals if you haven't been told what type of shoe you would need,
$40--capezio.com

4. Binder
Always have a binder handy full of paper. When a director calls for motes, this is a great place to write them down at. You can also put the cast list, schedule, paperwork, and any show memorabilia in here.
$10--target.com

5. Script
If you don't have your script, you're in big doo-doo. You should never come to a rehearsal without a script, even if you think you won't need it.
Priceless

6. Pens and Pencils
Only even use a pencil to write in your script. Directors will make changes to blocking all the time, so a good pencil and eraser is needed. Go for mechanical, so you don't have to worry about sharpening all the time.
$24--amazon.com
Pens are good to carry if you need to sign something. Go for black or blue, because it's embarrassing to sign your paperwork in a neon green pen, let me just tell you.
$30--paperchase.co.uk

7. Sticky Notes
I love sticky notes because you can use them to write reminders, notes, and mark acts or scenes. Different colors and sizes can help keep everything in order.
$3.59--hobbylobby.com

8. Water Bottle
Water is always important during a rehearsal. Nobody is going to deny you a drink of water. It can help you cool down and relax, as well as give you energy. Plus, buying a water bottle is netter than shelling out money to a vending machine every night.
$6.90--wetseal.com


Like this post? Comment below on your thoughts or ask a question! We would love to hear from you!

Kendall
Twitter: @Kendall_Shepard
Instagram: kennynicky

Stage Kisses: Is it possible for them to be any more awkward?!

This is for all you high schoolers out there. A stage kiss can either be that one thing you've waited years for or that one thing you have dreaded ever since the cast list came out. But, are there any ways to make stage kisses more bearable? What tips are actually myths?

1) It's not awkward unless you make it awkward.

That is a true fact, another fact is you two are going to kiss. But also, your characters are going to kiss, unless your character makes it awkward, it CANNOT be awkward. If you're nervous tell your scene partner, bets are that he or she is nervous too! Just be honest and open.

2) Practicing kissing offstage will definitely make it more natural.

This can be true. Communicate to your scene partner on how you want to do the kiss, if you two need to practice, practice! Build your chemistry, become friends, there is nothing worse than seeing a show and just not seeing the chemistry on stage.

3) What if they take it a little too far?

Especially in high school, when a kid gets nervous during a stage kiss, it gets wet and fast. If there is tongue or it is way to twisty and wet, let your scene partner go. It'll a whole lot better if you stay honest and communicate however you feel, even if it's awkward to say "Hey, so during our kiss it was a little fast and I don't want to have to wipe my mouth afterwards." It is okay, your scene partner will learn and so will you!

4) What if the thought of kissing makes me want to vomit?

It happens, you're cast with your arch enemy and you have to kiss them, what could be worse? A lot could be worse actually. Just remember the fact that it is not you kissing them, it's your character. And the character you're playing wants to kiss them, so imagine it's Aaron Tveit and get through it.

5) If you really don't feel comfortable kissing someone, how do you talk to your director about it?

People, in general respect someone who is honest. If you really do feel incredibly uncomfortable in the kiss, it would be better for you to let the director know.

6) So, what do I do with my tongue?

If it is just a plain old kiss, you better keep your tongue in your mouth. However, if it is a make out then just see what is comfortable. If the chemistry is there between the two of you, it will happen naturally, I promise.

7) Is it embarrassing that my first kiss was a stage kiss?

Absolutely not. A kiss is a kiss, you are not a kissing virgin anymore. Woohoo!

So here's what you should take from this: Communication is key, and being open and honest will make it not awkward.

Pucker up, kids.


Alie
@Campbellalie - Twitter

Musical Playlist for Getting Pumped Up!

“Candy Store”- Heathers: The Musical

“Sugar Daddy”-Hedwig and the Angry Inch

“The Bitch of Living”- Spring Awakening

“It’s All Happening”-Bring It On: The Musical

“Loud”- Matilda the Musical

“Raise the Roof”-The Wild Party (Lippa’s)

“The World According to Chris”-Carrie: The Musical

“Let’s Be Bad”-SMASH

“Rock Star”- Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

“Hold Me Bat Boy”- Bat Boy: The Musical

“Hey Good Lookin’”- Dogfight

“In The Heights”- In the Heights

“Bring on the Men” – Jekyll & Hyde

“Show Me How You Burlesque”- Burlesque ( I know it’s not a musical, but it sure pumps you up)

"Strongest Suit"-  AIDA

"Forget About The Boy"- Thoroughly Modern Millie

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.