<p>Well, I guess my example girl is pursuing a subset of Plan A. LOL! Also, a whole lot of MFA actors can sing. D just did a show with a bunch of them.</p>
<p>I agree with VeritasMT. I always say “Do what you love,” because the last thing I want is to see someone not believe in themselves and what makes them happy. But, if you’re not good at what you love, perhaps it’s a hobby?
Lovely article, though.</p>
<p>I think everyone here is raising really valid points. I do think many different paths are viable and sometimes it depends on your skill set, goals, personality. For instance, my own D likes learning academic subjects and being with engineers and musicians and physicists as well as actors, which is why Northwestern is a match for her. My S is much more lazar focused on acting as a craft only, which is why he’s applying to conservatories. </p>
<p>As to talent, well, it does help to be realistic. I have seen grads from all calibers of schools -not just mid level - who sing badly off pitch, who can’t act, who lack basic professional etiquette skills. Honestly, I don’t know where the ball was dropped. It is true that some of these kids are ‘delusional’ but what young person has a totally realistic view of him/herself? They don’t have any way to measure themselves against others, and limited life experience. If a program tells them they’re good enough to accept them and train them, why wouldn’t they think they have what it takes? </p>
<p>But I agree that it is also very difficult if not impossible to predict who will be successful in this business. Also, “success” means different things to different people. For one person, you are successful when you follow your art for a significant length of time, then move on to another field. I know many very successful actors who retired or semi-retired in their 30s and are in different fields, or in teaching. (Some of our kids’ teachers are like this–their resumes are several feet long). Another person might define success as “working in film and being paid a lot of money.” Another person might define it as “working on B’way as an actor for decades.” Another person might define it as “working in regional theatre for a decade and loving it then leaving it.” Still another might define it as “working as a doctor and doing really cool semi-professional theatre.” Or professional. We know someone in his 50s who owns a chain of stores in our area, who is also an actor with a professional theatre from time to time. </p>
<p>So there are so many variables. I do think for some people it really helps to have no plan B. Will Smith talks about that: [Will</a> Smith’s Wisdom - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>But for other people, either Plan B comes naturally because that’s who they are, or Plan B is necessary because of circumstances and they still forge on. </p>
<p>As far as talent, well, who knows. People develop at such different rates. And it’s not only about talent anyway (although it sure helps!). Having focus and drive, and most importantly, knowing yourself and your type, is I think the most critical thing.</p>
<p>We’ve probably all seen those high school productions where some kid has a big part, and they are terrible. And sometimes you know the players and know that there absolutely was someone better for the part. So why did they get it? Sometimes it is because they are in the higher grades and have “put in their time.” Sometimes it is political and that kid’s mother does a lot of volunteer work or whatever. Sometimes that kid’s parents have made some sort of stink. Or sometimes, they just managed to squeak out an uncharacteristically good audition. I recently saw a show where scenario #1 seemed to be the case. Afterward her mother told me that she wants to do this for a living. I had that same thought: Oh, dear. This is not going to happen. Someone needs to stop her before she wastes a lot of time and energy and has a lot of heartache.<br>
But who will do that? No one wants to be the one to tell a kid not to follow their passion. And no one wants to hurt anyone’s feelings. Hopefully the process plays out as it should and the kid gets the message by not getting into any competitive college performance programs. Or once they leave the high school world they realize how tough it is and move on. But my point is that unless the kid competes on a bigger playing field while they are still in high school, they may never know until much later where they stand. Delusion is kind of a strong word, but when you get the lead in high school, it is easy to forget that every high school has its lead and there are a lot of schools.<br>
Even the kids/parents who want to get an honest assessment may have difficulty. Camps, coaches, and even colleges want your money. And not getting in can’t always be interpreted as “you have no talent” because everyone knows that there are more talented kids than slots. And, in the real world, there are way more super-talented performers than there are jobs.
So I guess my point is that if a kid wants to go for it, no one but themselves WILL stop them. And idealism aside, it’s a good idea in a field where luck and politics still reign and the unemployment rate is something like 95%, to have some sort of a plan B.</p>
<p>When I was in HS, the girl who got all the lead roles was the director’s babysitter. She was awful… but still chose to pursue theatre as a college major. I saw her in a community theatre production between her jr & sr years of college. Still terrible. She ultimately got her BA, relocated from MI to FL. She now works at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as a talent coordinator. She is thriving & happy, having never had a professional performing job. You never know… Plan B might just ‘happen’.</p>
<p>Post #25, in my opinion, is a good example as to why a Plan B is not always necessary. That girl pursued a college major in theater, and while she did not ultimately go onto professional work onstage, her degree lent itself to a career in the arts. I do believe there are many things you can do with a degree in theater/performance, besides performing! And it may be doing something else in the arts. So, the degree is certainly worthwhile. It can lead to many things. I don’t even really consider that a Plan B, as it is not like entering college with a plan to double major with the reasoning being “in case the arts doesn’t work out.”</p>