A Major of Infinite Jest

There is a reason my office is the loudest in the Advising wing. Few students can match my Theatre majors for sheer volume or energy. Theatre majors are capable of the highest highs and the lowest lows...in short, there is usually a lot of "drama" flitting about my office. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Why? Because I was a Theatre major myself. I grew up in Theatre (my father was a lighting designer) and I've been onstage since I was old enough to take basic direction (I believe the first was "hold this girl's hand and cry"). So it is only fitting that Theatre marks the finale of my five-part majors series.

Most people are aware that Theatre majors tend to fall into two distinct groups: Performance majors (ACTORS!--must be said in all caps, with lots of energy...and possibly jazz hands), and Techies (Lighting, Costuming, Scenic Artists, Stage Managers). These students are fundamentally different individuals but they share a love for the same medium and a lot of the same academic challenges. I'll try to delineate the challenges that are particular to each group as we progress with the post.

We all get involved with Theatre for different reasons, but the two most popular reasons given by students are: fame (heard more from Performance students), and a sense of community. A lot of actors get stars in their eyes when they first start studying theatre, or acting in general. The truth is that only a minuscule percentage of the population (about 1%) will actually achieve any notoriety for their acting abilities. There is, however, an enormous sense of community in the world of theatre. Most of us begin our theatre studies in high school--and only a small group of people (usually misfits) get involved. We don't fit anywhere else (our skills, our looks, our mannerisms)...but we fit in theatre. Theatre feels like home to us. Add in the heady allure of applause after a performance and you have a potent combination of factors that leads students to want to do more theatre. So you decide to study theatre in college...that's where the fun starts:

1). I'm Sorry, You Want Me to Do What? Just like high school dance programs, high school theatre programs are NOT created equal. If students are lucky enough to actually get Acting classes in their high schools, they often get a mish-mash of techniques. It is frequently difficult for them to "formalize" their training style. Because first-year acting classes must, out of necessity, get all of the performance students to the same level, some students will feel stifled or confused. Your first-year acting teachers need to know the scope of your abilities, your dedication to your craft, and your work ethic, before they can move you to more complex training methods. If you're feeling confused, talk to your teacher (funny, I think I've said that before...) If you're feeling stifled, push beyond the bounds of each assignment you're given--create MORE work for yourself...CHALLENGE yourself! This will prove to your teachers, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are ready for more complex work and that you have a superb work ethic.

2). Know the Degree That is Right For You! Theatre students the wide world over have been arguing BA vs. BFA since time began. A lot of students will tell you that a BFA is a "better" degree. I say "bullshit". The "better" degree is the degree that is the best fit for YOU! If at all possible, make sure your school gives you the option of doing both a BA or a BFA in Theatre and explore the requirements of each. Know that a BFA is a very specific degree (generally issued with a concentration area in Performance, Scene Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Stage Management, etc.) A BA is a more general degree and will allow you to take classes outside of theatre (should you be so inclined). You CAN go on to an MA or an MFA in Theatre with a BA so your options are totally open! Oh, and you might not want to disparage the BA in Theatre while in my office...I happen to have one.

3). Get Your A** Onstage (or Backstage) As Often As Possible! The simple fact of the matter is this: you need to be learning your craft. Classroom experience is helpful, but until you actually apply what you've learned, you're just wasting your time. If you're in a decent-sized theatre program, there are going to be a lot of productions happening during any given semester. Between mainstage productions, student productions, graduate thesis shows, and area theatre companies, you have plenty of opportunities to work. For performance students: know that you will have opportunities to audition for a lot more "avant garde" shows than you typically see out in the "real world". You also need consistent experience auditioning. If you plan to make a career out of acting, you're going to be auditioning on a regular basis...it's never going to be "fun", but it gets a lot less painful! Also remember that if you get cast in a show for a local theatre company, and that show is an "equity" show, you can begin to acquire those all-important equity points! For techies: you need as much experience as possible working in as many different environments as possible. You need to know how to deal with having only 13 dimmers and having to re-patch multiple times per show. You need to know how to create an entire set using recycled set pieces and a $200 budget. You need to know how to create the "mood" of an 18th century play with only one or two costume pieces per character. Oh, and the more plays you do, the more pictures you have for your portfolio...which is how you get jobs!

4). Time Management is Your Friend. Ok, so let's say that you've got a typical first-year student schedule (Acting, Intro to Drama, Stagecraft or Costume, English, and one other gen ed...we'll say Psyc). You've got 15-16 credits of classes and now you just got cast in a show. Congratulations! I hope you're caught up on your work because your life is about to get crazy. If you were cast in a Mainstage production here at VCU, you will be rehearsing 6 days a week, from 6-11pm each night. I bet if I check your study schedule (you DID make a study schedule, right?), you had that time marked for studying and writing papers...didn't you? Oh, and don't forget that shows inevitably wind up going into tech during midterms, or finals, or when you have a giant paper due--so you'll be spending even MORE time in the theatre, and even less time on homework! How do you work around this? Plan out your day carefully! Chances are that you do NOT have back to back classes. Use some of the time in between classes to get homework done EARLY!! Take homework with you to rehearsal: unless you're in a small ensemble show, you're probably not going to be onstage the whole time. Your presence may be required at rehearsal, but you WILL have time to work on your studies. If you are freaking out, talk to your advisor AS SOON AS YOU GET CAST!! Your advisor can look over your schedule and see if there is any "wiggle room". We can also help you plan out a study schedule so you don't feel totally lost.

5). We're the Major That Parties! Ah Crap, I Just Got Busted... Here's the thing, theatre students are under immense pressure during rehearsals and right before a show opens. It's only natural that certain forms of "steam" are blown off once opening night rolls around. I only ask that my students be as safe as is humanly possible. If you're going to party, be smart about it--do it with people you feel comfortable with and that you know, in a safe location. If I catch you driving while under any form of influence I am going to smack you so hard...
Know that there are severe repercussions for students who are caught drinking underage and having that kind of mark on your record does NOT speak well to your character. Do not (for the love of god) jeopardize the educational and creative opportunities you've been given. (side note: the blogger does not, in any way, condone underage drinking. Just because she did it in college and knows perfectly well that her students are going to do it...I mean...don't drink kids!!)

6). Remember the First Rule of Improv. For those of you who don't know, the first rule of improv is to say, "yes". But it goes a little further, you say "yes, and..." You take whatever someone has given you and you take it further. Why do I mention this? Because in theatre, you're going to be critiqued, often harshly. I wish I could give people lessons in "constructive" criticism, but the fact of the matter is that theatre students are going to have to listen to some horrible things (about themselves, their abilities, their work, etc.) The best way to deal with it is to start taking that criticism as positive...use it as a way to grow. Use each negative response to your work as a new experience that you can gain something from. If you blow off those negative responses (usually by saying, "so and so doesn't know what they're talking about"), then you're saying "no"--you're not learning from the experience. And the "and" part? Say "thank you, I'll work on that". Telling someone that you appreciate their feedback, even when it is negative proves that you are growing as an artist. Find someone you trust (preferably a teacher) and talk to them about the feedback you received. Your teachers can usually help you find some meaning in the negativity.

7). What Are You DOING to Yourself??? I've been in theatre my whole life...and I've been doing this job for four years now, so I've seen a hell of a lot. I've seen students starve themselves to get the right "look". I've seen students start doing coke so they would lose weight. I've had students engaging in some of the riskiest, most damaging behavior possible--all because they were unhappy with their physical appearance, or because they were emotionally unhappy. Yes, "lookism" is alive and well in the theatre business. A big part of the theatre program here is if the faculty believe students have a positive "professional prognosis". That prognosis includes your appearance. Now, I know I've talked about this a little bit in the Dance post, but it's important enough to stress again. Your personal, emotional, psychological, and physical HEALTH are the most important things in your professional development. You are not going to progress, as a performer (or as a human being) until you are comfortable in your own skin. A large part of acting is taking on the mannerisms and spirit of a character--my belief is that you have to know your own spirit and mannerisms in order to successfully remove them (temporarily) and "become" the character. I cannot say enough about the benefits of counseling--especially for young performers. All too often, acting pulls out some VERY difficult feelings and emotions. You need to be strong enough to deal with them. If you are just starting out in college, now is the time to make healthy choices: campus health facilities are part of your tuition, so why not make use of them? Start working out on a regular basis! Choose to eat better in the dining hall--yes, you're going to eat pizza, but do you have to eat it every day? Get a water bottle and get into the habit of hydrating yourself regularly.

Theatre students have an enormous amount of challenges that they face, not the least of which is their ability to find a job once they graduate. No matter what you end up doing, remember that theatre remains a part of your life (seriously, you've been branded...that mark doesn't come off!) Know that your experiences in theatre have already put you ahead of a lot of your contemporaries--you are far more comfortable working in groups, speaking in public, and thinking creatively. All of these are things that employers list as top skills they want employees to have.