Expert: J. Spyder Isaacson - 2/25/2008

Question
I am currently in grade 11. I have decided to become a Broadway performer. I am debating whether to go to the Theatre program at the community collage were I live. Is this a good Idea, if not where should I go?   

Also to get in I must take a music written test as well as an ear test what does this mean? also how do I prepare for this?

Answer
Great question - I wish more people would ask this before jumping in blindly.

There is absolutely NO QUESTION that you should get training.  Community colleges are a good alternative, but make sure your local community college (a) has a theatre program, and (b) has a GOOD theatre program.  (There's one community college near me that has an absolutely AWFUL program, so be careful; check with local theatre companies - they ususally know who's good and who's not.)

However, you should also consider a four-year university.  There are VERY few professional actors who don't at least have their Bachelor's Degree in theatre, and most of the ones making a living at it have their Master's Degree.

If you can't afford either the time or the cash for these, consider doing shows with your neighborhood community theatre company.  You can learn a lot even from amateurs, and some community theatres have professionals and near-professionals working with them, and you can learn a HUGE amount from them!

Also, check and see if there are any private programs/schools.  In Seattle (just an example), there are two institutions that train actors but are not officially colleges - the Freehold and Northwest Actors Studio.  There are also a number of professional actors that run acting workshops; these are also (typically) valuable.

Lastly, a little-known (and sometimes little-used) secret: always study what's going on in ANY production you're involved in.  Life is a learning experience, and theatre more so.

If you need any further information or advice, please feel free to ask again.

Break a leg and let me know how you fare!

-- Spyder