Acting in Plays, Singing/My career

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Expert: J. Spyder Isaacson - 7/27/2009


Question
Hello, my name is Shaylyn; shay for short. And i have been in plays and musicals but my dream is to become an actress on Disney channel. I am able to sing, dance but mostly act. I was wondering what i would need to do to get my career going. thanks for your help, and please get back to me.

Answer
Great career goal!  I would suggest one alteration, though - don't lock yourself into only one channel (for instance, film work pays considerably better than TV#.

The only real way to break into the broadcast entertainment business #aside from knowing someone who can give you a leg up# is to get an agent.  There are plenty of them both locally #if you live near a big city# and in Hollywood.  The trick is getting one of them to pay attention to you - they get literally hundreds if not thousands of requests from actors of all ages!  Unfortunately, the only thing I can say is: don't give up on finding one.  Invite them to shows that you are doing #especially if it's a particularly strong role#.  Many theatre companies will gladly send out comp #complimentary# tickets to agents in the name of aspiring actors.  Sometimes, simple perseverance will do the trick.  #If you can find a "contact" to break the ice, all the better, but don't count on it.)

Meanwhile, keep working in live stage.  An acting coach once told me that nothing beats experience, and my own career has shown that to be true.

Break a leg, and let me know how you do!

-- Spyder

Acting in Plays, Singing

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J. Spyder Isaacson

Expertise

Especially the Seattle theatre scene. Seattle is the number two theatre city of the nation, having more theatres than any other city (including Chicago!) except New York. I know the reputations of most of the local theatres, have worked with quite a number of them, and am currently earning the majority of my livelihood through live theatre. Beyond that, I have been a working professional for the past 10 years (after a long career in an unrelated field), have done just about everything in the field, and have done every possible type of theatre. Currently, I am also pursuing a new (and unexpected!) career as an animated film producer. (PLEASE NOTE that I am NOT an expert in music!) ***DO NOT*** ASK ME QUESTIONS REGARDING AUDITION SONGS OR MONOLOGUES - the answers require way too much information to be passed along by the All Experts system.

Experience

I have been an award-winning actor, singer, playwright, director and administrator (on various levels, all categories) for the past 30 years. A large part of my expertise has been with live theatre, although I do have a minor connection to filmed theater. I have done musicals, straight dramas, straight comedies, and experimental theatre.

Organizations
Theatre Puget Sound Magical Mystery Troupe Centerstage Theatre Conservatory Board of Trustees (former) Express-Theatre Northwest (former) Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater

Publications
Unrelated trade publications

Education/Credentials
B.A. in Theatre Arts, Gonzaga University M.Ed. in Education and Technology, Western Governor's University (in progress)

Awards and Honors
Mutiple awards (ask for specifics), Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Valley Community Players, Best Supporting Actor

Past/Present Clients
C's Animation Studio Productions, LLC

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