What does it take to get on Broadway?

Question

I absolutley adore Broadway. Everytime i see a play it's like i fall in love all over again. And I love New York City, it is so exciting. So basically, I have my heart set on Broadway.

As far as my experience with theater goes, I've been in several plays and three of which were musicals. I wasn't involved in any acting at my high school and i wasn't in Chorus either. (But i might take chorus this year). And i just started private singing lessons this summer.

How do I get to Broadway when I'm older? Am i gonna need an agent? Do i have a chance?

People always say you need to go college so you have a fallback. But I just feel like, if i don't have a fallback my only choice is to move forward. So if I become good at singing and acting and I still want to be on Broadway when I'm finished with high school, should I go to college or take my chances getting noticed on Broadway?

Answer 1

Not having a fallback means you'll spend most of your life waiting tables and tending bar.  Most actors spend more time unemployed in their field than employed.  Go to college.  Major in theatre, but learn other useful skills that will help you pay your bills, get insurance, have a home, be able to eat something other than ramen noodles.

You also need to take dance classes.  These days on Broadway, at least in musicals, you MUST be a triple threat, and you're very late to the dance game.  Broadway dancers are fierce!  The other thing you will need is incredible drive and resiliency.  You will go to audition cattle calls and realize over and over that you aren't unique.  There are hundreds of others just like you.  You will be rejected over and over again, and you have to have the mental wherewithal to pick yourself up and go to get rejected again.  You need to be the right look, which means either an ideal body or fat.

Musical theatre is an incredible joy as a hobby.  There is nothing wrong in doing it as an amateur and having a stable life.  Use your time in college to determine if you have the talent, drive, and mental fortitude to pursue a theatre career, or if you are happier as an amateur.

Answer 2

1) Gain acting, singing and dance training now.

2) Get into a university with a strong, reputable theater department. (The four-year training is very important to New York casting directors.) This will take a lot of planning and research. You may even have to work privately with an acting teacher to strengthen your audition material. You'll also have to excel in other areas of academia, so don't neglect your other school work!

3) When you're ready to graduate, your school (if it's a good one) will bring a showcase of students to New York, where you'll perform for agents, managers and casting directors. This is your chance to get good representation! If you don't get into the showcase or don't get enough interest from talent reps, you'll have to do it the hard way--by moving to New York, getting in small shows, and sending letters to agents to try to convince them to see your shows.

4) Once you're in New York, audition for everything that you're right for. Don't limit yourself to Broadway shows. There are plenty of good regional theater productions with directors who work in and out of New York.

5) Work your behind off in any acting job you can get, working specifically toward getting your Equity card and getting into better, higher profile productions. In the meantime, you should still be working on your craft, continuing with acting, dancing and singing lessons. This can get very expensive, so you'd better have a good day job. (Or night job--tending bar, waiting tables, working for caterers, etc.)

Do all this and you *might* make it to Broadway, or you might not. What's most important is that you realize that it's a lot of hard work. And  make sure that performing on stage is something you really want to do, no matter where it is. So if you don't actually get to Broadway, it's at least possible to make a living doing it in other places and still be happy.

Answer 3

Well Broadway casting agents usually look for a big voice in both singing and acting.  If you audition for a musical they will want you to dance. ( Most likely character shoes)  It is along process and causes a lot of stress.  You will not need an agent for most auditions.  Although if you land a role you will most likely   have offers.  If college is something you know you want to do, I would suggest maybe going and getting a bachelors. Then start your Broadway dreams.  If you're interested you can go to www.playbill.com. they list auditions and jobs for Broadway and in New York.  Good Luck!

Answer 4

Attending a college with a good drama department is a great way to prepare yourself for a professional acting career.  You'll get good training in voice, movement, and other skills.  You'll gain valuable stage experience in college plays.  Your professors will be able to guide you toward good summer theatre experiences that will further your growth as an artist and will also help you build a network of show business contacts.  With the added maturity from your college years, you'll be better equipped to tackle Broadway.

Answer 5

well I would go ahead and go to a college and major in theatre... go ahead and get your degree and so in case you don't make it on broadway you can just teach theatre or do off broadway work....