Another Guest Writer! Great Advice!

Another great submission by an anonymous writer- twitter account @thtrmajorproblems. LOTS of great advice!

"College Theatre: Transitioning & Measuring Up 

In high school, I guess you could say I thought I was good. I was in every dance and theatre show at my high school since my freshman year. (I started theatre in middle school and fell in love!). By my senior year, I quite frankly felt like the shit. I never acted snobby, I was always humble and never excluded newbies, but I knew where I stood. Most people in school knew me as the dancer/performer. They would always ask me about upcoming shows, etc. I had a lead my senior year. I was overly-involved, writing monologues for shows, teaching other students dances, scheduling extra rehearsals for principal roles. I also won best dancer 2012. Naturally, I got an ego boost.

The day I walked into my college's performing arts center to declare my double major in general theatre and dance performance, I literally almost cried tears of joy. And then there were classes...where I met people and witnessed astounding talent. Some of my classmates have been involved in over 50 shows, wheras I've been in about 10-15. Most have been taking dance and vocal lessons for most of their lives! For a while, I was really upset about this. I was discouraged that I wasn't as good as these ridiculously talented people. I knew I had the passion, but would I ever have that much talent? Don't let these feelings stop you from pursuing your dream! That transition from big fish to little fish is tough.  Don't forget, you're only a freshman...you are atcollege/uni to learn! You will, without a doubt, get better if you apply yourself. Just imagine how good you will be in a few years. So take a breather. Don't beat yourself up. Audition for a few shows. Remember why you're doing it.

Tips / Advice / Things I wish I'd Done 

If you plan on majoring in theatre, dance, music performance, etc...prepare yourself! 

• Take a tour of the arts building and performance spaces! I was shocked to discover that all three performance spaces at my college seated less than my high school auditorium does!  
• I suggest attending at least one show at the college to view the talent and skill level. Compare yourself to them. It might sound like an awful idea, but it's the only way to know where you stand, to discover your strengths and weaknesses, and work on improving yourself as a performer. 
• Try to get as much experience as possible beforehand. Do lots of community theatre, take acting, dance, or vocal lessons if possible. Don't depend solely on high school theatre experience! 
• Get experience in ALL parts of the theatre, if you're going into tech, try performing and vice versa. It's extremely helpful. Most colleges require you to take both tech and performance classes regardless of your concentration. In general it will make you better at what you do by being aware. Well-rounded is always a plus. 
• Make sure you always have one comedic and one dramatic monologue ready to go, as well as a song if you're going into musical theatre. 
• Consider your career path. Are you going to perform? Teach? Write plays? Start a theatre company? Figure out what you are going to do, and decide if double majoring or adding a minor would be a good idea! 
• Be involved! Join any theatre or dance group on campus from improv to ballroom. Go see the shows! Develop relationships with professors. 

• Follow @thtrmajorproblems on twitter, for issues of theatre and dance majors, relatable & funny quotes, more advice, and pure awesome(;