Ask Me Help Desk - Acting suggestions. Anyone got Any?

Acting suggestions. Anyone got Any?

Ive been interested in acting for the longest time. Its always been a dream of mine. As of recently, Ive started taken acting classes; I guess I was tired of waiting around for my dreams to come true, I had to do it myself. The problem is is that I am new to this biz. I honestly, know close to nothing about acting, theater, scripts, stages, or any other jazz that has much to do with acting. I wish I had someone to ask this about, but none of my friends are into acting, and my family is just as clueless in this area. If you know any tips, or suggestions that might help me out, it would be greeaaaatlyy appreciated. Thanks.
-faborgirl

Hello, Faborgirl!

I have been in over 40 musical theater productions, either on stage as an actor or in the orchestra for the shows. If you would like to ask questions, now might be a good time to ask them, if you would like.

What are some questions that you might have, please?

Okay, it is obvious you have a lot of background with theater, so I believe you can help me. If I wanted to get seriously into acting, (other than my classes), how else might I get involed? Is there anything I can do, or just wait for some luck to come my way.

If you don't mind my asking, how did you get involved with theater?

Please hold. Am working on answers. Thanks!

To answer your second question first, I play a number of musical instruments. Most of the instruments that I play are those that would be used in the orchestras for musicals. That was my first experience with getting involved with the theater.

How I became involved as an actor, was because I also sing. Because one of the instruments that I play is the piano, I had many opportunities to accompany singers who were in shows. I was invited by some of the singers whom I accompanied, to be in shows. That is how I first got into acting, outside of school. When I was in college, one of the musical groups that I was in was the choir. I tried out for acting parts as a result of being in the choir.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faborgirl

Okay, it is obvious you have alot of background with theater, so I believe you can help me. If I wanted to get seriously into acting, (other than my classes), how else might I get involed? Is there anything I can do, or just wait for some luck to come my way.

If you dont mind my asking, how did you get involved with theater?

Community musical theater or community theaters that just do plays are a great way to first get involved in musicals and plays.

Are you currently in school?

Yes, Im in grade 11.
I've never realized how strongly music can tie into theater. I am very involved with music-I play 3 instruments, (oboe, clarinet, and piano). I am most serious with the piano.

Yes, music ties directly into theater. The fact that you already play the piano is a plus.

Do you play oboe and clarinet in band?

Sorry, if you view something and then I edit it. Some ideas come later. But, I will try to keep things consistent.

Its quite all right, I can be the same way.
I played both clarinet and oboe in band. I played the clarinet for four years in band, but my band teacher wanted to challenge me with a more difficult instrument, and offered me the oboe. This is my second year with the oboe. The piano however Ive been playing since I was seven years old.

Now I can see that you are back on. I was worried that you had left for the night.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faborgirl

Its quite alright, I can be the same way.
I played both clarinet and oboe in band. I played the clarinet for four years in band, but my band teacher wanted to challenge me with a more difficult instrument, and offered me the oboe. This is my second year with the oboe. The piano however Ive been playing since I was seven years old.

Do you realize that playing the oboe can be your "ticket" into college?

Sorry, I had to restart my computer.
What do you mean my "ticket"?

That's okay.

What I mean is, that schools that have concert bands, and also band directors in general, are always on the lookout for good oboe players, as they are so hard to find. They also look for bassonists, French Horn and tuba players.

If you play one of those instruments, it can be very helpful to you getting a scholarship into college if you are going to play in the band. That's what I meant by "ticket." They will want you to come to their school because you play one of those instruments.

Do you live in the U.S.

Well that's exciting! What's also working on my side is the fact that I'm the only oboe player in my band.
No, no I don't live in the U.S.

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Originally Posted by Faborgirl

Well thats exciting! Whats also working on my side is the fact that im the only oboe player in my band.
No, no I dont live in the U.S.

Ah, I was hoping that you didn't live in the U.S. because it's 1:50 a.m. in the morning here. And, if you had to get up to go to school tomorrow, this would be really too late for you!

Do you sing in the chorus or choir at school? If so, what part?

I have to ask a bunch of questions, by-the-way, in order to know more about what you know and to help you with how you will get into and be successful at acting.

Just for your information, the oboe is the only instrument in the band that adds the 7th harmonic to the music. It is a very important instrument. Without it, the music can sound rather dull.

Thanks for the concern. Actually, where I live is just north of you, in Canada, and it is 1:00here. No worries though, for I do not have school tomorrow due to report card interviews. I am getting a bit sleepy however, I might have to pack it in soon.

Unfortunately, I can not song, or at least I have had no personal training with my voice, so needless to say, I am not in choir.

I don't mind these questions. If anything, I feel honored that your taking such an interest in helping me.

Well, I really would like to help you! :) I rarely find people on this site who are into the same things that I am. What you have posted about, is exactly up my alley!

We can continue later if you would like. I am going to be gone Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the later evening, because I am playing a gig in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

I will be back on here later Sunday night. Maybe we could coordinate a time?

Are you in Western Canada?

All right, sounds good. Im busy in the early evening on Sunday, but I will be free from around 7:00 on. Yes, I do live in Western Canada, and my computer tells me that you live in Illinois. Do you know the time difference by any chance?

I think it is great that we met. Its excited that someone so experienced is helping me out. It... well, it gives me hope:)

I can see that you are already figuring out how to use the little gadgets on this site in order to enhance things. :) A safe time for me, given that I am going to be needing to do some long-distance travelling, would be about 9:00 p.m. your time. I think that we are about an hour apart in time based upon what you said earlier as far as the time.

It is interesting, the book that is unfolding, page-by-page of who you are musically. Sounds like you have a lot going for you already! I'm sure that you won't have any trouble getting into acting! :)

I do have a couple of last questions for you, though. Are you into the visual arts, such as painting, drawing, etc. Or, maybe into writing of some kind, like stories or poems?

Unfortunately, I think this will be my last post. 9:00pm is good for me, and I look forward to talking to you again!

Do you really think so? That I have potential with acting? Wow that's great news!

Im not as much into the visual arts. I do enjoy painting, but I have taken no classes or courses with the visual arts, and I probably have little to no talent with it. As far as writing is concerned, I love it. I have always enjoyed writing stories and creating new adventures. People have told me I am quite creative with my writing, and I think that is the major reason why I'm in English AP at school (Advanced Placement). Poems? No, Im not a huge fan of writing poems. I still write them, but only when I have to.

I look forward to talking to you Sunday, and good luck with your gig!
-Faborgirl

I was just checking. Since you are involved with the arts of whatever kind, I will be inviting you over to a thread where you will be meeting some wonderful, incredible people! The thread might blow you away at first because it is so large and intense. But, don't worry, you will receive a warm welcome there! The thread is very warm and friendly, and also a good read at that! :)

Thanks for wishing me well with the gig!

Until later then...

Goodnight and sweet dreams to you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faborgirl

Do you really think so? That i have potential with acting? wow thats great news!
-Faborgirl

p.s. Yes, I do know that you have potential with acting. I can tell it by the way that you write! :D

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

I am here, Faborgirl. I apologize that I am late! :)

Not to worry, Clough
God knows Im late enough! Haha!
So how did the gig go?

It went fine! :) Although unfortunately, that is probably the last time that we will be playing there. :( The management of the hotel has changed and they are really sticking it to our director concerning the money. This, after 14 years of excellent service by our group to the place. I haven't been with the group that long. I just know that it has been going on that long as far as playing there.

Please tell me about your piano playing. That can have much to do with acting. Thank you!

Well Im happy that it went all right, but its unfortunate that you won't be playing at that hotel anymore:(

I love playing the piano. It has gotten me through a lot of hard times in my life. Its because of my piano playing that I got involved with the clarinet, and later the oboe. This is my ninth year playing, and I'm still in love with it

What sort of music do you play on the piano? Pieces? Styles? Composers? Nine years is a long time to have been playing. Have you also taken lessons for that same amount of time? Just trying to find out more things concerning your skills in order to give you better ideas and direction.

I also do know about playing a keyboard instrument such as a piano or an organ and using it to help get myself through some hard times in life. When I was about your age and younger, living in my parent's home, I used to close whatever doors I could to where our electronic organ was located and just wail away with improvising on melodies and chords that I would make up. I would make myself cry in the process. It was a great stress reliever!

I sometimes do something similar now, although I don't go shutting the doors! :)

Yes, Ive been taking lessons this entire time, but I had to stop last year, for my Oboe took priority. I play just about anything. Mostly, I hear a piece of music, fall in love with it, and Ill have to find that piece. Ill practice it until my fingers bleed and until I get it perfect. It feels amazing when I do eventually get it perfect though:) I love Mozart, that man just seems to fascinate me!

Yes, can music ever be a stress reliever! After my mother died, it felt like music suddenly became my life. If I wasn't playing it, I was listening to it. I think that's how I got so attached to music.

I can really identify with music also helping me to work through the death of someone to whom I was close. I had two different, although certain classical pieces on the piano I would play that would just seem to fit perfectly with how I felt about the period leading up to each of my parent's deaths and also how it felt after each one of them had died.

Have you played any Chopin?

Yes, and I quite enjoyed his Ballade No 1. Other than that however, Im not a huge fan of his. Why do you ask?

I'm trying to get an idea as to how advanced you are. Have you played any later Beethoven sonatas or any pieces by Liszt?

Do you know chords and can you improvise?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faborgirl

Yes, Ive been taking lessons this entire time, but I had to stop last year, for my Oboe took priority. I play just about anything. Mostly, I hear a piece of music, fall in love with it, and Ill have to find that piece. Ill practice it until my fingers bleed and until I get it perfect. It feels amazing when I do eventually get it perfect though:) I love Mozart, that man just seems to fascinate me!

I know exactly what you mean about hearing a piece of music and then just having to have to play it until you get it perfect!

From what you have written concerning what and how you like to play a piece on the piano, it is safe to assume, I think, that you know that it's not just practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect! :) There are many ways in which to practice something incorrectly. There are methodologies to practicing any skill in order to get something just right.

Yes, Ive played Liszt Consolation No. 3, but no Beethoven, none that I can remember at least.
Yes, I can improvise, but usually just to make the piece a bit easier

Yes, Ive heard that there are methodologies to practicing. I use to hate practicing the piano. I would always think of it as a chore, rather than as entertainment. However, as years passed, I guess I realized that I have real talent at music, and that alone encouraged me to pursue it!

Hey, that's great that you can improvise, because most musicians can't! :) Then, is it safe for me to assume that you know about the chords of the scale as related to I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii? Or, do you just know how to mess around with some chords because you know the notes that make up those certain chords as they are related to the pieces that you are playing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faborgirl

Yes, Ive heard that there are methodologies to practicing. I use to hate practicing the piano. I would always think of it as a chore, rather than as entertainment. However, as years passed, I guess I realized that I have real talent at music, and that alone encouraged me to pursue it!

I am referring to a methodology as being that which is developed by the person who is doing the practicing through the method of discovering what will work best in order to achieve the desired goal for playing the music based upon what will work and what won't.

So, are you saying that you decided to continue pursuing it, even though you know that it is going to be somewhat of a chore in order to achieve the desired result by how you practice? I just want to make sure that we are on the same page here.

When I practice, it is most certainly a chore. But, it is something that I like to do because I realize the "cookie" that will come at the end, when I have truly done everything that I need to do in order to make a piece as perfect and as enjoyable as possible. I also enjoy doing the "chore" because of the discoveries of what I can do in order to facilitate the desired outcome.

It is the same with any discipline in the arts concerning practicing. At least it is for me, anyway.

Wellll, usually I just mess around on the piano until I come up with something I enjoy more then the original part of the piece. I have heard of chords related to I, ii, and iii. I've never leanred them, and I didn't know that there were more Chords, and Im intrigued to learn more about them!