Change of career - seeking advice

Hi

I've just quit my job as a business executive after climbing up the corporate ladder for the past 10 years. Why? Because I want to work in the entertainment industry, preferably in the performing arts field. I'd like to learn how to act, and I'm wondering what the best strategy is to achieve this. I live in Sydney, but am pretty mobile.

Does anyone have some good advice for me?

Thanks.

SIMON

... day job!

oh. bit late for that, eh?

:-)

*pulls out soapbox*

I like Peter Brooks' advice to a young director: "work finds work". I think it has application across the artform, regardless of experience and training.

Some people may tell you not to get involved with this or that company, not to do amateur or unpaid shows, avoid co-ops or self-devised work... but i believe Brooks' maxim holds true regardless.

Performance is transitory; you are only as good as what you are doing NOW. If you are not doing anything right now then you are no good.

The only reason to be in the profession is not because you want to, but because you can't do anything else. If that's truly the case, then you will always be "working" because that is your life and raison d'etre.

This advice won't help you much when in the unhappy situation of choosing between opportunities, but when those are few and far between it should spur you to create a few openings of your own.

If you find yourself doing nothing, then maybe you don't need to do IT enough. (sheesh! now you've got me doing IT, Joe)

*proffers soapbox to next opinionated, pontificating soul*

Cheers
Grant

Simon,

I don't truly understand the last message which Grant Malcolm wrote you but it doesn't sound very encouraging. I've just turned 21 myself and have only really been interested in the entertainment industry ( musical theatre) just recently, actually had my first audition ever for the musical Les Miserables last month and was not successful but of course I keep going. Some may think I'm too old- i think not.

My advice to you is to think first about what field of the entertainment industry best interests you whether acting, singing, dancing, both etc. and then perhaps enrol in some acting classes or get a teacher/coach ( not necessarily expensive ones but you want experienced teachers). I find that having someone there to teach you techniques and the tricks of the trade is a great encouragement. My singing teacher is wonderful and I don't know where I'd be without her! This advice applies only unless you feel you have true talent and can go it alone, which is ok too.
Then- audition,audition,audition! Look out for upcoming auditions that interest you. And living in Sydney I'm sure there are lots, I mean- i'm living here in Perth and there are not a whole lot of opportunities here.

The last piece of advice i can give you is not to give up. Life is full of disappointments and I think we learn from rejection etc.They say that the entertainment industry is not for those who constantly fear rejection though I see that as being me. I say it's for anyone who wants to do it! I think anything is possible if you're willing to put the work in and i hear that the entertainment industry requires a lot of hard work- but it is not impossible.

Anyways- good luck and keep in touch.

Regards
Lisa Jade

It's a hell of a way to get started in the arts. The jobs are
intermittent. You spend most of the time chasing down work- like
the stock market the trades are already done by the time you hear about the show, so insider trading is essential.
Best of luck.