Performing
arts program draws motivated students
By
Lindsay Wood
On-line Forty-Niner
Some
people just feel they were born to perform.
Whether an aspiring dancer, singer, musician
or actor, center stage is just where they
feel they belong. However, if you take a
close look behind the scenes of the
various types of performing arts you may
be surprised to find out that it is not
so easy making it in the performing arts,
and unfortunately the chances of having
a successful career in this industry are
not very promising
either.
"Every
performer dreams of having their name up
in lights, but in reality only very few
will be able to
accomplish this," said Karen Nieche
from the Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Nieche also added that "in order to
have a successful career in the performing
arts it takes an extreme amount of dedication,
determination and talent."
Many
performing artists' jobs have the image
of being very glamorous and fun when you
look from the outside. However, that is
truly not the case. The performing arts
require you to keep a very demanding schedule
that usually involves hours and hours of
intense training.
Dancers
have one of the most strenuous jobs imaginable.
Not only is this a field full of fierce
competition due to the fact that "there
are always more dancers than jobs,"
said Judy Allen, chairwoman of the dance
department at Cal State Long Beach, but,
it also requires you to "withstand
the unstable lifestyle of the
performing arts."
Many
dancers as well as other performing artists
such as actors and musicians are also required
to take jobs while in the process of training
to become professionals and get their careers
under way.
All
the performing arts require education as
well as private training. Although a college
education is not
usually required to become professionally
employed in the performing arts, it is
suggested. Most colleges, including CSULB,
offer bachelor's or master degrees through
the performing arts departments such as
dance, music and theatre.
Having
a college degree is especially important
due to the fact that many performers often
do not end up
making a living at their desired profession.
The
performing arts is a field that offers many
different opportunities of employment besides
just
performing. Becoming an educator or instructor
in the field of music, dance, theatre or
even film is very common for performers
who do not make it on stage. Many dancers
go on to be choreographers and many actors
go on to become producers or directors.
There
are also many other fields of work in the
performing arts that can be explored other
than just being in the spot light. Going
to the
career center on campus or inquiring at
performing arts centers, dance studios among
other performing arts venues can help you
learn more about the other careers in the
performing arts.
"It
is easy to be discouraged by all the competition
out there, but students just must not give
up," Nieche said.
"Every
performer dreams of having their name up
in lights, but in reality only very few
will be able to accomplish this,"
--
Karen Nieche
Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts
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