My talent has dropped a bit.?

Question:I was really good at acting. Ha! Funny to me. But ah I have been acting for a loooooong time. But I usually get lead parts. I used to be in a theater with video cameras and we make a 30 minute sitcom for our local television channel. I have been the lead role tons of times. But in Oct. when I auditioned for Miracale of 34th street I got the part as SUSAN WALKER! How bad is that. My lines were, "Yes Mother, No mother, Mother said I cannot believe in Santa Clause, Santa is a myth" It was so bad! When I auditioned for Wicked I didn't even get in! I auditioned by actually singing popular. HOW BAD IS THAT! I have not been doing as well in acting. Than I realized I am not that good of a singer and I only like musicals. My boyfriend suggested private vocal lessons, but I dont know. What should I do? Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was really good at acting. Ha! Funny to me. But ah I have been acting for a loooooong time. But I usually get lead parts. I used to be in a theater with video cameras and we make a 30 minute sitcom for our local television channel. I have been the lead role tons of times. But in Oct. when I auditioned for Miracale of 34th street I got the part as SUSAN WALKER! How bad is that. My lines were, "Yes Mother, No mother, Mother said I cannot believe in Santa Clause, Santa is a myth" It was so bad! When I auditioned for Wicked I didn't even get in! I auditioned by actually singing popular. HOW BAD IS THAT! I have not been doing as well in acting. Than I realized I am not that good of a singer and I only like musicals. My boyfriend suggested private vocal lessons, but I dont know. What should I do? Thanks

If you've been acting a long time, you should know that you're not going to get the lead part every time, if you even get a part at all.

You should also know that the most talented people get turned down for roles every day of the week due to exentuating circumstances...the casting director has a different type in mind, the production was created around another actor, the director is in a bad mood that day, or even you can have a bad audition, but it doesn't mean your talent has waned.

Most actors do however continue with some kind of training or coaching for much of their career whether they're working or not.

Singing lessons are never a bad idea...they increase your vocal range, improve your grammar, your breath capacity and your vocal stamina.

Although you'll progress faster if you take private lessons, you can still benefit from a group lesson which is a lot less expensive. See if any of your local colleges' music departments offer master classes, or continuing education courses in vocal music. If money's an issue, talk to a college vocal instructor and see if he or she will let you audit classes at no charge. As long as you pay attention, do the work and don't disrupt the class, you should have no problem.

Perhaps there is an acting school in your area where they teach many diversified skills that actors may need like the Stella Adler School here in New York.

The Lessac Institute, which is one of the most famous institutes for vocalists, gives summer workshops around the country and their website has a state by state listing of where you can find Lessac certified instructors and the schools/colleges they teach in.

Their books are also VERY helpful in offering exercises that will improve your voice.

Hope some of this has helped and remember the old adage that almost ever actor knows..."There are no small roles, only small actors."

i would take private voice lessons!!!!!!!! just because you got a lead in a lot of other plays doesn't mean that you are guaranteed a lead or a part at all in other plays. take voice lessons and some acting classes and just try to hone your craft. do the best you can Break a leg!!!

Firstly, an actor and actress can only be as good as the amount of confidence on has in his or herself. Next, simply go through the shows that you have previously gone through. Read through your lines and remember the way you acted or the way people reacted to them. This should rekindle the flame inside boosting your confidence and hopefully your skill. As for the sining lessons, the can't hurt. Also try to go to local theatres around your home. Try out for a small part if you are lucky you will be rewarded with a larger part. If you expect low you can be more excited when good things happen. Or you could shoot for the moon and get yourself a star by simply going for the leads only. I dont know how your voice is but but the way it seems you probably have a lot of talent. In my experience I have had leads, cameos, and supporting roles. But remember this, that if you are a tree have the idea that you are going to be the best tree your can, then in the next production you never know but you may end up being a whole forest. Every part in a play is important. Another thing to remember is why you began to act. You began to act for the joy of it.You went to become part of the theatre but you left with the theatre as a part of you. As the great Rupert Holmes once said "Putting on a musical has got to be one of the most fullfilling things a person could hope to do." The theatre is not a hobby but a way of life. If you allow it to have its ups and downs you shall be rewarded in the end. Hope this helps. On a side note i have been in the theatre for about 8 years. I have help direct and acted in many shows.

First of all, I don't think your talent has dropped. You sound like a good actress. Also, directors have a certain picture in their mind of what each character should look and act like. Maybe you weren't what they were looking for in a particular lead role. You can't be good at everything, after all. I used to do the same thing. I've been in a couple plays where I've had small roles too. It changes from play to play. And, if you're worried about singing, definitely take private voice lessons. I started less than a year ago and I've already gotten a lot better.

Good luck, and don't give up because of a couple shows!

yea take the vocie lessons
do all you can to practice and practice. But you never really know maybe you just weren't what the people wanted, sometimes they are looking for a strong actress, or a great singer, or sometimes they are looking for a certain look
just do whatever you can to become a better actress but sometimes its just not your acting abilities

The top stars (like Cher) have vocal coaches, dance coaches, acting coaches and they are always honing their craft except when they are performing. Perhaps you are so much in demand that you don't have the time to perfect your craft.

I recommend maybe taking a little break, sometimes when you have time to recooperate, your next audition will be better than ever before. Please remember that not everyone can get in or get a lead every single time. Also sometimes it isn't about talent, its about who can fit the character the best. A good example is you are an extremely nice person trying out for a really evil role and you just can't pull off acting so mean. Vocal lessons can be a great help, I'd recommend them even if you didn't feel your talent was going down the drain.

Sounds to me like you have been given a great gift. Do not squander it.

NEVER underestimate the power of humility. You sneer at Susan Walker. Susan Walker is the entire reason that 34th exists! Go back and read the script before you turn your nose up at such a challenging part.

If you truly believe that your recent lack of leads is due to your talent "dropping", you could not be more incorrect. Your snobbish attitude has everything to do with it. Talent does not change. Attitude does.

So. You only want to do musicals? Straight Drama is not good enough for you, but you are not a good singer? Can you at least dance? I thought not. Where does that leave us?

Learn a trade and forget ShowBiz. We don't want you.

Best of luck in your chosen path.

Cider