AboutWanda Reinholdt Expertise Questions about how to tap into the richness that is inside you/ find confidence in life and work. Questions about how to create a plan and run with it. Questions about directing and acting and singing. I am not a modeling expert and would prefer that these questions are taken to other experts. Have a long history in piano, voice, acting and directing stage.
Experience Study of coaching and the application of it for 3 years; own theatre arts business for almost 8 years; Directing Canada and United States in both community and semi-professional arenas
Education/Credentials personally mentored for 8 years; professionally coached for 4 years; BA in Music and Theatre
Question I'm 20 years old, and I know it sounds cliche, but I've absolutely dreamt of
being an actress my entire life. I really have tried to stifle it, but I can't help it,
every time I go to the movies I think about how I'd do the actor on screen's
job. I thought this was going to end up being some sort of childhood dream
that would end when I hit college, but I can't stop. I decided not to major in
theater because of the obvious -- what would I do as a fallback if acting
didn't work out -- but I've taken a few classes in the Dallas area, where my
university is.
Now I'm entering my junior year in college as an Advertising Major and I have
no idea where I'm going. I have never had any ambitions besides acting. I
hate the thought of ending up in a cubicle somewhere. Maybe it's just my
spoiled self thinking I deserve better, but my question is -- should I drop
everything and risk it all and start from scratch as a Theatre major? Wait for
after college?
I'm really not in it for the fame. Trust me, I know the odds aren't in my favor
anyway. But, should I go with my gut...with the thing that's been nagging at
me since I was in my first play at age 10? Or should I follow the Advertising
world and see if I can land a practical job? I'm just worried I'm going to wake
up one day and regret not chasing this dream. Why would I keep thinking
about it if it wasn't something I was supposed to be doing?
Answer Hi there, Anne...And thanks for writing about this very important process of choosing your work and life...
I cannot tell you what to do. But I can give you some questions to help you in the process.
*When you take acting or are involved in theatre in any way, how are you responding to the experience? Total excitement? Not really excited but glad to be there? Just kind of interested?
*When you are asked to work in the theatre for something (as an actor - working on a character), how do you respond to that? Totally jazzed? Glad to do it? Just kind of interested?
I ask these questions because I want you to become aware of how you are experiencing the arts before you make a decision to make them a part of your life in a major way.
So now, whether to do act
ing only or marketing only or both...
*What is it about marketing that attracts you?
*What is it about acting that attracts you?
*Can you see the two of the things that attract you actually working to
gether? For e.g. marketing for a theatre
*Do you need to have a day job right now to do the acting? Can your marketing education help you get that? Could you look for jobs related to the arts?
It is really important that you allow yourself that ability to have some options. For the longest time, I did not. I had only 1. And that was really hard on me. Luckily, I am married to a man who loves the arts and works hard for us so that I can do these things (sometimes with him too):) So I was able to continue in the arts and do what I love. I have developed my own ability to support myself with other skills my work in the arts and have started to develop a regular application process for grants (as a director and artistic director, these are more available to us).
Some people have multiple jobs in the arts. Some people have other jobs. Some people apply for grants. Some people just volunteer.
So I guess what I am saying is that you need to take some time to really answer some questions about what you want and what you need and then take the time to get the education and the experience to build that.
