subject: 5 Tips For A Broadway Career [print this page] Many people have dreams of being on BroadwayMany people have dreams of being on Broadway. But, they don't know how to accomplish those dreams. Often times it's because they don't know how much, or exactly what work to put into it. Another big reason is that they are unrealistic about their abilities, their strengths and their weaknesses. If you really want to make it in musical theater, be prepared for this.
Know what you look like
Get real with yourself. Not everyone is the slender and gorgeous leading lady. But hey, that's okay! Because not every leading role is slender and gorgeous. Think of films like Real Women Have Curves, or George from Seinfeld, or Dianne Keaton in Something's Gotta Give. We've got overweight, under-sized and middle age just right there. And yet, they are phenomenal actors who steal our hearts. Why is that? Because they are comfortable in their own skin! But they would have never, ever landed any of their roles if they were not realistic about whom they were (read: what they looked like.)
So, how do you get real? Select about 10 photos of different leads in musicals or plays you wish you could one day be the lead in. Be sure they are all very different looking. Round up some buddies or family members that you know won't hold the truth back from you and tell them your work depends on their constructive criticism. Have your friends and family look at each picture, and tell you honestly on a scale of 1 to 10, how likely it is you'd be cast as each role. You may not get the answers you like but you'll never be happy in life if you won't get real with yourself.
Know what you sing like
Sorry but, not everyone can pull off opera, or Kelly Clarkson songs, or Stevie Nicks' wonderful, raspy sound. If you keep trying to sing high notes that you just can't hit, or have a voice that isn't yours, you'll face all sorts of awkward things in auditions like vocal vibrato or voice cracks.
Be prepared
Always have in your car a mini wardrobe with a variety of looks so that if your agent calls you and asks, "Can you make an audition for the role of an urban teenager in 20 minutes?" you can. If you're going to audition for a role that involves singing, be sure to practice your breathing exercises for singing immediately before going in. Put aside ample time to do them so that your voice can be relaxed. Another great tip on the last minute audition front: don't day drink. If your friends invite you out for some day drinking on the beach, you may have to forgo it! What if you get an awesome audition that afternoon?
