So You Want to Be an Actor…. Pt. 2
Last time we spoke on this subject, I mentioned several very good reasons not to be an actor – and one very good reason in favor of that career choice.
And now you’re back. Well, re-read part one to refresh your memory and test your resolve once more and then let’s continue.
Two voice actors for animation were being interviewed. One came from Japan, where voice acting is considered a model career and you can even major in it in college. The other came from the United States, where voice acting is considered a sideline to “real” acting and if your name doesn’t happen to be Dan Castellaneta1 you probably won’t get much attention.
A member of the audience asked the Japanese voice actress how she got started in this career field.
“An angel came down and settled beside my pillow one night,” she replied, “and she told me, ‘Go to school and become a voice actress. You will be successful, have fun, and never regret your decision.’”
Another member of the audience then asked the American voice actor how he got started.
“An angel came down and settled beside my pillow one night,” he replied, “and she told me, ‘Take a class in the drama department and you will meet lots of cute girls.’”
What’s the point of this long, rather drawn-out anecdote in which no specific names are given and the quotes are probably inaccurate?
I have always said that there is no bad reason for getting into theatre. It doesn’t matter if you feel that it’s your Call From God TM, if you think it’d be a fun way to make a living, or if you really like that cute blonde girl in the drama club. For all I care, the leperchauns in the back yard could have taken a break from telling you to burn things and suggested that you take a class at the Y, instead. What matters is that you’re there, and you’re there willingly. There is no bad reason for you to be in the theatre.
I say this because in my brief time in the theatre I have run into several people that I have been told were in theatre “for the wrong reasons.” Five come to mind. Two were in theatre because they were looking for beautiful women. One because it made her part of the cool crowd when she was in high school. One because his girlfriend made him audition for a show. And one because he was desparate to go into any other field, as long as it got him out of the Computer Science department. At different times, I was told of each of these that they were “in theatre for the wrong reason.”
Of these five, three did not last long. The man whose girlfriend made him audition is still acting, and the girl who wanted to be part of the cool crowd now acts and is recognized as a decent director and promoter. There is no wrong reason to get into theatre.
Of course, two out of five may not seem like a great survival rate. But it should be pointed out that for the three who fell out of sight, their reason for coming to the theatre was not the direct cause of their leaving.
The direct cause of their leaving was that they had no drive to stay in the theatre. You can come to the theatre for any reason you want, but once you’re here you have to work. And you have to work hard. The work is long, hard, and at times painful, but it is also beautiful and fulfilling. It is strong work and good work. But it is work. That must never be forgotten.
Come to the theatre for any reason you choose. But come to the theatre in only one frame of mind. Come ready to work.
Suggested reading for the week:
The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project
True West by Sam Shepard
The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco