A Northern Virginia Nonprofit Children's Arts Organization
Feature Contributor: Aaron Lazar
"The Basics of Broadway" For IPA Youth By Aaron Lazar www.aaronlazar.com
No matter how talented you are, being successful in the arts often requires great people skills, having a bit of a business sense, and being intensely motivated and passionate.
I moved to NYC in the summer of 2000. Not to bore you with my educational background, but I think it?s important for you to know that I went to college, because I attribute much of my success to a well rounded education. I graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in Music/Pre-Med and then earned an M.F.A. in musical theater from The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. (For all the parents/high school students reading this, CCM is up there with NYU, Carnegie Mellon, and Michigan as one of the top musical theater programs in the country.) My point is that however much time you spend working
on your craft?your acting, singing, and dancing--it's just as important to have a life outside of the arts to be balanced, and to bring experience and perspective to your performing.
Being on Broadway is such a blessing. And if you want to make it here (or in LA), it helps to have realistic expectations. You and your parents/support network should be honest with yourselves about your talents. I'm sure many of you have seen Broadway shows. Imagine yourself on that stage with the performers you're watching. Where do you see yourself fitting in? Start to notice your strengths and your weaknesses. What do you need to work on? And then work hard to be the best you can be in all areas of your art. This way you'begin to really come to know who you are and what you have to offer.
As a performer, you are not only an artist, but a marketable business product. Agents, casting directors, directors, and producers will all be looking at you as a potential member of a team of people (from actors to designers to musicians to crew) all working together to make sure millions of dollars are well spent. And, in order to make the team, you have to be yourself! The biggest mistake I made was thinking that I had to be what they wanted me to be. I'd go into an audition thinking I have to act/sing a certain way because I was sure I was inside the director's head and knew what he wanted. WRONG! You can never know what they're thinking behind the table. All you can do is know yourself and hope they like you. You'll experience countless rejections for every few jobs you get, but in the process you build your confidence, your sense of self, and your talents.
Lastly, we sometimes forget with all the hard work to HAVE FUN! They're called 'Plays' for a reason. Go out there and play! When you have an audition or a performance, relax your nerves. Have the confidence to know that you've worked hard to be where you're at. And where you're at is just fine for today. There's no more work you can do to be any better than you are at that moment. So, step out on that stage, BREATHE, and just have fun. You're you! And you're one of the lucky few who get to play in front of an audience.
BREAK A LEG! Aaron Lazar
Aaron Lazar, performing as Fabrizio in Broadway's The Light in the Piazza on PBS Live from Lincoln Center. Aaron Lazar is Fabrizio. The play received six Tony Awards.
