Interested in Theater? Here Are 5 Tips To Get in the Business
Onstage or offstage, theater life is exciting. You don’t have to become an actor to get involved either. If you are interested in joining the business, there are many ways to connect with local theater productions in your area. Let’s talk about how you can make your theater dream a reality.
Volunteer
Participating in a stage play is a great way to get involved. Whatever your personal skills, you can contribute by making costumes, designing props, or painting scene sets. No particular experience is needed to practice the actors’ lines with them, help serve snacks, or sweep the stage after each practice. Whatever your interest or ability, your help will likely be enthusiastically accepted by local theaters and acting troupes.
Get a Part-time Job
If you don’t have time to volunteer and need to earn income, you may be able to find a part-time job (or full-time if preferred) doing the above-named jobs if available. The pay might not be high, but union jobs, such as the actors’ union, pay a decent wage. The theater might hire you to sell tickets or assist with advertising and marketing initiatives, or possibly as an usher. Submit your resume for a current or expected opening for which you may qualify.
Study the Craft
Learn all you can about stage plays by reading professionals’ books and watching podcasts or tutorials online. There is plenty of information available that can teach you the basics of theater performance and production. You can also look for a mentor, like a college drama instructor or one of the performers, to give you tips and advice on learning more about stagecraft and getting involved.
Become a Patron
Financial support is always appreciated in the arts, including drama. Make a financial donation to support the theater or the production company. Inform community organizations that you are involved in, like school or church, about the performance and take a group. The theater will love you for it!
Submit a Script
If you like to write, develop your stage play script and submit it to the theater company. You may be invited to participate in a table reading or to discuss the possibility of producing your play if the director likes it. Look for innovative role models from which to draw inspiration, like a Puerto Rican poet or an Asian author, to make your script compelling and interesting to the production team.
Conclusively, review your interests and experiences to see which might open the theater doors for you to get involved. Chances are good that you can make a valuable contribution that will be appreciated.