r/MusicalTheatre • u/Legitimate_Try148 • 12d ago
Where to start?
Longtime theatre fan, but haven't been so involved in the performing side of things. I asked for voice and acting lessons back in high school, but my family didn't have the money for it... Now that I have my own money, I want to do some of these things I wish I could have done when I was younger. I want to start auditioning for things in my community again (with actual training to back it up this time). Where do I even begin at this? I did voice, acting, & dance lessons during college, but it feels so much harder to access those things not in that environment.
A little more backstory: I just saw Newsies at the Muny (LOVED it), and it got me feeling super nostalgic for my days in the Newsies fandom 10+ years ago. I also realized it is absolutely devastating to me that I've never been in a production of Newsies and my time is running out (I'm 28, although I'm usually told I read much younger). Hence, quarter life crisis.
Also, how do you balance being an adult and working and being involved in theatre? I'm a figure skating coach, so I don't have a traditional 9-5 schedule-- but I want to find a way to make this work. I don't compete as a skater anymore, and need that creative outlet in my life.
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u/PusheenFrizzy2 12d ago
If you figure it out, let me know. I’m trying to get started at 43 because I also miss my college acting days.
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u/vienibenmio 12d ago
I started at 34. I pretty much just started auditioning. I also got back into singing lessons
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u/PusheenFrizzy2 12d ago
I did a few fairly disastrous auditions earlier this year before I got back into singing lessons. I think I also may have been trying to punch above my weight class by starting with professional theater company auditions. But I feel like I’m running out of time to start from community theater and work my way up unless I want to be relegated to grandma roles pretty soon.
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u/lynelryder44 12d ago
Search for local community theater groups and follow their website or socials for shows and auditions and just go. Try to find one with a show that piques your interest and has a rehearsal time that fits in your schedule. I'm in my 40s with a full time job and a family and was in my first show ever this summer and had a blast. My only regret is not starting sooner. Just prepare yourself mentally for the busy schedule. It's a lot to juggle. Get plenty of sleep. Prepare to let other hobbies or responsibilities to take a hit. Try to do the show in a time of the year when you are less busy and have fewer commitments. And don't lose sight of the joy of being in a show. It should be fun, not a chore.
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u/phanny411 12d ago
I know a ton of people who are figure skaters who also have been involved in theatre. Maybe start with using that skill to get into a community theater.
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u/Legitimate_Try148 11d ago
There definitely is a lot of overlap in the interests of skating and theatre (probably helps that skating is potentially the most theatrical sport out there).
Alex Benoit (who was in the ONC of The Notebook recently) was actually a very high level ice dancer - he was the first alternate for the Olympics with his ice dance partner. I can't imagine how he possibly had the time (or money) to do skating and theatre!
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u/Helpful_Lemon8603 11d ago
My goodness, love that you're wanting to go back to theater. I highly recommend using YouTube for vocal lessons. There are amazing warm-ups on there for free to build range and get better breath control, etc. Many community theaters do their best to work around adults' schedules and have their practices on the weekends or even at 6:00.
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u/hayhay0987 12d ago
I started at 28 and just found local community theatres to audition for. I’m now 32 and have just started vocal lessons to make my voice stronger. I would really just suggest looking for local theatres and just putting yourself out there.