“And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true” (photo by Jack Penman Photography)
“So you want to be an actress, that’s a very competitive field, you know that right? You have to be the best of the best to make it.”
If you are a creative, like me, you would have heard this more than a few times from more than a few people. Your heart probably crumbled at the delivery of the words too.
So it’s time for curls to come clean.
I am freaking terrified. See the thing about being good at performing arts (or any kind of arts for that matter) is that it’s not really something you decide that you’re going to be good at, you just intrinsically are. Now don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that people don’t work hard for their talent, the end game of this article is actually to convince you of the nobility of creatives and their inherent craft. All I’m saying is that while some can eventually learn an art, it’s not always that calculated and therefore it can mean a bit more to someone when you start throwing logic at a creative’s fragile confidence.
Here is the real truth, creatives are bloody scared. That’s right, contrary to popular opinion that we performers are all extroverts with child-like faith and absolute confidence in our ability, we secretly have no idea what we are doing and we don’t really understand why we are the way we are. Some creatives will tell you that they remember the exact moment they realised they were talented, their teacher heard them singing and said they had a good voice. They received a distinction in a dance exam or they got the lead in the school play. Some will even throw out the line that they could “sing before they could talk.” Others will say that they could “dance before they could walk” and the rest will tell you that they were “reciting Shakespeare before they learned their ABCs.” It’s all a lie. It’s a justification to make us comfortable with what we don’t understand; “Why us?”
We don’t know why or how we were the ones lucky enough to be blessed with our gifts and most of the time we’re not sure where we are going with them. But the last thing that we want to hear is that we don’t have a chance. To many, the path is simple- study something you are good at, get a degree and then get a stable job which will earn as much money as is possible to do in your chosen profession. The rest of the time is filled in with the excitement like the vacations, the family, the social life. This makes non-creatives feel safe, this is what they feel they can be good at. For creatives however, being good at what we do is not what makes us feel safe, oh no, if anything it has nearly the opposite effect. Doing what we are good at is what makes us feel most alive. It’s not as simple as doing it for the money or any delusions of stability.
So what does this mean? We most likely already know how tough it is to make it in the industry. We’ve only been told from day one that while our talent is beautiful and that we should share it with as many people as we can, not everyone will make it to where they want to be. So maybe it would be best to try ‘plan B.’ Here’s where I have a problem with that logic. If no-one tried to get to where they wanted to be (because they were too busy trying plan B), then there would be no-one there. Are you following? Read that sentence again. Now think, would you tell a studying nurse, teacher, apprentice electrician, plumber, or aspiring business owner that they should probably just back up on what they’re doing because there’s a chance it’s not going to work out. It’s not a helpful statement. It’s like saying, “well yes, you are good at walking but sometimes you can trip over and skim your knees so maybe you shouldn’t do that.” We are programmed to do what we do, we literally could not choose this if we tried.
I don’t want to degrade any efforts of supportive insight that some may be trying to impart on those they love. All I am saying is that I have never heard of anyone saying “Wow, I am really pleased that I didn’t chase my dream of becoming a proffessional performer.” We’ve got to stop telling people that they might not be good enough. They already know that. But the probability is that if they want it enough, (and they’ll know because it will keep them up at night) they will be working hard for it. Hard work should be encouraged right? So we need to stop telling people that it’s too late for them.
There are wonderful things that happen in the world of performing arts and there is far more to the story than what creatives may think they have already figured out. My favourite success stories are of the two current Christines performing in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and the West End at the moment. Celinde Schoenmaker of the London production at Her Majesty’s Theatre had decided she was going to be a pilot until she had enough courage to turn around at age 19 and decide she was going to study Music theatre. She has now performed two leading roles in two of the West End’s most acclaimed and longest running productions. Celinde performed the role of Christine in the 30th anniversary production of Phantom with Sierra Boggess and Michael Crawford. Ali Ewoldt of the Broadway production graduated from Yale university with a BA in psychology but still chose to pursue her creative path. She became the first Asian-American actress to play the role of Christine on Broadway, making history.
Beautiful things happen when people believe in themselves. It is going to be so much better when we all learn to believe in them too. By all means, encourage people to work hard for what they want, but please, please, please, stop telling people that they don’t have a chance. For some, it can mean the difference of someone saying, “You are talented but there are lots of other talented people too” or “You are really talented, and there are lots of other talented people, but I believe you can do this.” The words “you” and “can” are like indirectly saying “I love you” to someone who is in need of courage.
So yeah, you’re right, it’s a tough industry. We know the facts, we know what the industry is looking for. We are working hard to get there. And you know what, we’d really appreciate your support.
– Curlsmeetsworld
curlsmeetsworld 