We’ve managed to make it through another local musical theatre production. This time, my daughter was in a musical production of “Hocus Pocus” and she played ‘Sarah,’ the dumb witch.
We are both exhausted. But I know she will look back on this musical theatre experience, as all the others she’s had, with great fondness. And I know she’ll share, for many years, a special closeness with the other cast members.
Of course, it is good experience, and she can put this on her resume. But that is really not what is most important to her about this experience. She loves interacting with others and performing on stage for an audience.
So, “Is it worth it to be in musical theatre productions?”
Each time another local musical theatre production ends, I have to ask myself this same question. And I have to answer it, “Yes.”
In spite of all the difficulties and exhaustion, it is, after all, what my daughter loves to do.
You do need to weigh the costs of doing musical theatre with the benefits before you decide to participate in productions such as these.
If you are in the Los Angeles area and your child is trying to “make it” as an actor, it may not be the right choice for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, there are some definite positives associated with doing musical theatre.
The negatives associated with it are that your child:
- May not be available for auditions due to play rehearsals,
- May have to miss play rehearsals to go to auditions,
- May anger talent representatives if auditions must be turned down due to play performances or rehearsals,
- May not be available for jobs resulting from auditions,
- May have to quit a local play to take a job (and this is not likely to go over very well with the director of the play and may make you feel like a heel),
- May get behind on schoolwork due to long rehearsals and/or shows during the week.
Benefits from doing musical theatre are that your child:
- Will get valuable training in acting, singing, and dancing,
- Will be able to list it on their resume,
- Will gain valuable experience in acting, singing, and dancing,
- Will gain confidence in being in front of an audience,
- Will make good friendships,
- Will have fun.
So, you’ll have to make a decision about whether to have your child participate in local musical theatre productions. The benefits far outweigh the negatives in the long run!
For more information on this an many other topics related to children and acting, be sure to subscribe to Your Young Actor’s Newsletter.
To your great success,
Debbie Sikkema
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4 comments
Crasty says:
November 16, 2009 at 8:54 am (UTC -8)
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
David Adams from locksmith berkeley says:
November 17, 2009 at 10:28 pm (UTC -8)
well, i think it depends on child’s interest some may be interested in playing musical instrument while some loves to play in theater, both of them are creative, let child blossom to whatever they wants.
Dave Sappers from Web Design Sheffield says:
November 24, 2009 at 10:29 pm (UTC -8)
well, i think it depends on child’s interest some may be interested in playing musical instrument while some loves to play in theater, both of them are creative, let child blossom to whatever they wants.
Debbie Sikkema says:
November 25, 2009 at 8:38 am (UTC -8)
Hi Dave,
I agree that is really all about helping children to be more creative and blossom in the way that suits them best! Certainly playing musical instruments is a great way to be creative as well as acting in theatre. Thanks for your comments.
Debbie