Should i follow my dreams?

Question:Im 13 years old from kansas and im starting to give consideration to what i want to do in terms of a career. My dream is Broadway. its something ive been wanting to do for a long time. If I was going to choose this i would probably go to NYU or some other place like maybe Carnegie Mellon and get a degree in musical thatre. The problem with that is, i know that theres a very slim chance of me actually being able to make it.I was thinking maybe a minor in that and master in something else? My other option is going to KU and getting a degree in medicine. It seems like a good option since KU med school is a great school thats close to home, but im not as passionate about that as i am about performing. Could i maybe minor im performing there? What should i do? any other options are welcome too.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Im 13 years old from kansas and im starting to give consideration to what i want to do in terms of a career. My dream is Broadway. its something ive been wanting to do for a long time. If I was going to choose this i would probably go to NYU or some other place like maybe Carnegie Mellon and get a degree in musical thatre. The problem with that is, i know that theres a very slim chance of me actually being able to make it.I was thinking maybe a minor in that and master in something else? My other option is going to KU and getting a degree in medicine. It seems like a good option since KU med school is a great school thats close to home, but im not as passionate about that as i am about performing. Could i maybe minor im performing there? What should i do? any other options are welcome too.

Hi there!

How long have you been performing? Have you done a lot of theatre in school and in your community? If you have and you know you love it, I'd say there's no harm in applying for both of those colleges. (Meaning try the theatre AND the med school, because you don't have to make up your mind until AFTER you're accepted.) One of the top schools you didn't mention that has an amazing musical theatre program is Cincinnati Conservatory of Music - their graduates generally tend to go straight from showcase to Broadway. Yes, their audition process is rough but it never hurts to try! After all, that's what this whole business is about - audition, audition, audition.

Of course, the one thing any working actor will tell you - and the phrase I've heard the most all through my training and post-training work - is this: IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE, DO IT!

Being an actor is an extremely difficult career. You're being rejected A LOT, and you have to have the thick skin and the heart to handle that and still press on. You don't usually go straight to Broadway, there are a lot of internships, road tours, and regional theatre along the road. You need to have the support structure in your life to move around the country constantly and still be able to pay your bills. It doesn't come with a built-in instruction manual, and there are so many different and difficult ways to make it. It's an expensive career choice with very little monetary rewards.

Also, unless you get your BFA in musical theatre, it's becoming more and more common for successful actors to have their MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) degree. That's another 2-3 year program AFTER college. All for a job that's going to require a second job to pay off those student loans.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just give you the reality of the situation. After all, lots of people hear all that and still say "Sign me up!" If that's you, more power to you and I wish you the best!

While a conservatory (i.e. a college that ONLY does theatre and nothing else and generally confers a BFA as opposed to a BA ) is a great choice for turning out working actors immediately upon graduation, a liberal arts college with a good theatre major is a good idea if you're still feeling out the field. It gives you the option to change majors and do something else without having to drop out of college and find another one.

There's a good BFA musical theatre program at NKU if you're looking at schools in Kentucky (although CCM is just across the river at that point).

Don't think that Broadway is the be all and end all of theatre, as well. The vast majority of working actors are working in regional theatres across the country and living a wonderful life there. There are exciting, thriving acting communities in Atlanta, Chicago, LA, DC, Philly, San Diego, Denver, Houston, and many more cities that offer a great alternative to New York City.

To look more into the industry, I'd recommend the following books:

* "How to Make It in Musicals" by Michael Allen (this one is perfect for you at your age; it details all the steps you should take and outlines the harsh realities; highly recommended)

* "The Empty Space" by Peter Brook (a beautiful book about how to approach theatre and a basic required read for all college freshmen; if this book doesn't get you creatively excited, this industry is not for you)

* "Auditioning for Musical Theatre" by Charles Strouse (a blow by blow on how to handle a typical NYC audition)

* "Making it on Broadway: Actors' Tales of Climbing to the Top" by David Wienir (a great book with some funny stories and some ideas of what it took for some really talented people to make it to Broadway)

Best of luck in your career choices and may you succeed in whatever you choose to do!

You need to decide on one career; otherwise you won't do either of them justice. If you have the ability and the passion to do Broadway, go for it. You only live once, and you don't sound like you'll be content with singing in Karaoke bars or in the shower. Good luck in whichever you choose!

wow! what a coincidence Thats just like me! I'm also from Kansas and have a dream of being on broadway.. course I'm just a little bit older.

KU is very known for its' medical school, but it also has the Lied Center. I don't know if you've ever been there or not but the Lied Center is KU's big center for the performing arts. They do offer degrees in music and theater. NYU is a very long distance away and would be really hard to work out. So lets meet half way. Some schools may not be as known for a theater program but they do have them and some of them are really good. Why don't you go to KU some time and check it out. Just last April the Broadway tour of Aida was there. Maybe you could spend a day and look around campus, get a good look at the Lied Center, maybe even go when they are doing a show, and just look around. College is still a way off but its a good thing you are thinking ahead. Good Luck.

Whoa....I swear Zesselle just wrote a mini advise book...whew-_-.
But seriously, if Broadway is your thing then you should do it. There isn't a slim chance you'll make it. If you just pucker up the confidence and stick to what you love doing...then I don't see a problem. Go to school, hone your craft and give your regards to Broadway!!!!..God, I wish I was still your age. I could of done things much more differently. Go for it!!!!^_^

Absolutely! Chase your dreams! It's something you love, right? I'm in a similar situation as yours, except mine's coming up in one and a half years or so when I graduate from high school! I'm aiming for NYU if I can get enough scholarships, and hopefully I can attend it and get a degree in musical theatre.

I'm extremely passionate about theatre, just like you, but my parents want me to be reasonable. When I think about it, it would make sense if I did in fact make the musical theatre degree a minor, but then I'm sure I could also make something like teaching a minor and musical theatre my major and possibly take on a job as a high school or middle school chorus/drama teacher. I'm definitely going to shoot for Broadway when I leave college though. I mean, what do I have to lose? At that point, I'll be on my own and living for no one but myself. It'll be a lot easier than trying to attempt it after starting a family - I'd always be sitting around, wondering "What would've happened if I had auditioned for those plays..?"

So bottom line, go for it!

Please listen to the song "Make Some Noise" by Hannah Montana for reference. Analysis the lyrics and you will get all your answers. Good Luck!