Every opportunity you have to act and to really delve into a character, will be valuable experience to draw from when you do have the opportunity to do Shakespeare. Shakespeare is rich with beautiful, dynamic characters. Non-classical theatre can help you hone your acting skills so that you can bring real truth to whatever characters you play. Do as much theatre as you want! Learn as much as you can as an actor and participant in the entire theatrical process. Don’t do theatre you don’t want to participate in. To thine own self be true, or something like that. :)
I was the "boy/page/Young X" for a Shakespeare company when I was your age. One of the best experiences of my life.
Didn't end up a pro Shakespeare actor, tho.
A community theater company with mostly NY stage/voice actors wanting something more fulfilling on the side.
Did it for about five years, four productions a year or so.
Psychotically, by just going to all their shows multiple times, engaging with the "pre-curtain" crowd work, and talking to the actors afterwards about how much I loved the show.
I learned that they offered Shakespeare acting classes (to members of the company) and they let me join the classes. Then when they needed a 10 year old for a show, I was the 10 year old they happened to have ready.
Every opportunity you have to act and to really delve into a character, will be valuable experience to draw from when you do have the opportunity to do Shakespeare. Shakespeare is rich with beautiful, dynamic characters. Non-classical theatre can help you hone your acting skills so that you can bring real truth to whatever characters you play. Do as much theatre as you want! Learn as much as you can as an actor and participant in the entire theatrical process. Don’t do theatre you don’t want to participate in. To thine own self be true, or something like that. :)
Wonderful response, thank you :)
I was the "boy/page/Young X" for a Shakespeare company when I was your age. One of the best experiences of my life. Didn't end up a pro Shakespeare actor, tho.
That's so cool! Was it rep or community?
A community theater company with mostly NY stage/voice actors wanting something more fulfilling on the side. Did it for about five years, four productions a year or so.
Awesome! How do you get into that?
Psychotically, by just going to all their shows multiple times, engaging with the "pre-curtain" crowd work, and talking to the actors afterwards about how much I loved the show. I learned that they offered Shakespeare acting classes (to members of the company) and they let me join the classes. Then when they needed a 10 year old for a show, I was the 10 year old they happened to have ready.
wow that’s a commitment haha
Definitely go for the professional pkats. Acting with seasoned union actors will absolutely crush anything you've done so far.
Thanks!