Master Class Opportunity - Scott Alan

Hello, readers!

I just wanted to let you know about an amazing opportunity that Scott Alan (Composer/Lyricist) is offering in 2011. Each month throughout the year, Scott will be bringing in guest artists for a year long series of FREE Master Classes!

"Once a month, I will offer a two hour masterclass at a rehearsal space in New York City. Each class will center on something different pertaining to musical theatre and ways to grow in the field. In addition, each month will host a special guest who will be on hand for the 'Q&A' session with a Broadway Personality. I have already started lining up guests. Those joining us will include Tony Award winning Actors and Actresses; long running featured members of Broadway's hit shows; Award Winning Composers and Lyricist (both established and up and coming); Award Winning Choreographers; Set Designers; Costume Designers; Casting Directors and many many more!!!

In order to get accepted, you must write an essay explaining what theatre means to you and why you'd be a good candidate. For more information, click here! **Essays are due by November 15th!**

Scott also just released another great album, WHAT I WANNA BE WHEN I GROW UP. Visit his website for more information on all of his work.

Resources

Hello Readers!

I will soon be returning to NYC and working again with Music Theatre International. With my experiences meeting people across North America on Disney's Beauty and the Beast, I've tried to share a wonderful site that I helped developed last year. It's MTIShowspace: Where Theatre People CLICK (thank you...)! Now that the site is fully running and has thousands of active users, I'd like to share it with you--my colleagues!

This is a great way to promote yourself, ask questions and find answers from a world wide theatre community. I received an offer to do WEST SIDE STORY last year just from having my resume posted on my profile!

Be sure to check it out! It's free to join!

MTI ShowSpace (www.mtishowspace.com) is a free online community connecting thousands of fellow theatre practitioners and fans from around the globe.  The site is an ever-expanding theatrical database that will helps users save time, money and resources when producing their next show.  Highlights include:

• Exclusive interviews with noted authors, composers, actors, directors and producers.

• An online marketplace called Community Rentals to locate and share sets, props and costumes.

• Show pages for each of MTI’s shows rich in photos, articles and videos.

• Forums to share your theatrical expertise and learn from other users’ experiences.

• Event Calendars and Group Pages to promote your upcoming production or highlight your work.

• Special Offers, Contests and a whole lot more!

I've also made a list of resources I recommend on the column to the right!

Yours,

Tony

25: Thank you's and News!

I felt compelled to write a blog on my birthday. First, because I know my friends and family will read it! Second, I feel my 25th merits some reflection. Finally, I have news and updates!

I must say that I feel extremely grateful for all that I have received in the last 25 years. Despite some hardships along the way, I am now looking back on a very rich life full of many blessings. I’d like to thank some of the people who have helped make me who I am today.

First off, thank you Mom! You’ve sacrificed so much in your life not only for us, but also for your students, church, and community. Thank you for raising me in a stable Christian home and for always supporting and encouraging me to reach my full potential. I would not be who/where I am today if you hadn’t provided so much for me. I am eternally grateful.

Thank you to Tina, Brad, Michael, Jessica, Neise, Mama, Papa, Dick and Teresa--you guys are my rock. I cherish your support and love--even more so now that I’m constantly far away. It’s hard for me to miss so many special family moments, but I thank you for making efforts to stay in touch and keep me involved. Thank you to my entire family (on both sides) for continuing to stay involved AND support my career. Not many adults receive this attention and I am grateful for your continued love, interest, and encouragement.

Thank you to the friends who have stood the test of time. It’s an incredibly difficult mutual obligation to maintain a friendship over years and miles. Thank you to my pookie Tyler, my boo Stiffler, my pedro Kristin, my girl Angie, my wife Jen, my posse Amanda and Jason, as well as my NYC/life coaches Sean, Hoagy, Nicole, Erin and Tiana.

I’d also like to thank the MANY wonderful teachers I’ve had. Having a teacher as a parent and experiencing the job periodically myself, I know how difficult and time consuming (yet still rewarding!) the job can be. I received incredible educations both at Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation and Ball State University. Both schools allowed me to explore everything I wanted, receive quality educations, and offered me very personalized training and opportunities. Thank you specifically to Mrs. Hamm, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Wiseman, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Lockwood, Mrs. Walter, Mrs. Peron, Mrs. Ramga, Ms. Williams, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Ingram, Mrs. Brooks, Mr and Mrs. Stadler, Mrs. Wendleboe, Mr. Loomis, Mr. Cambell as well as Eddie, Ron, Harold, Wendy, Karen, Dwandra, Jonathon, Darrell, Michael D., Bill, Beth, Alex, Jodi, Sarah, Michael W., Lou Ann, Doris, Michelle, and Audra. You all invested your time, talents, energy and efforts. I will continue to share your training and pass on your support as I go along my own journey. Thank you to the Lilly Endowment, Hancock County Community Foundation, Indiana Elks, and Ball State University specifically for investing dollars into my education and future.

I would also like to thank the many non-theatre employers I’ve had. While I cannot list them all, I want to thank the following specifically for giving me trust and responsibility--in addition to financial security! Thank you to Blue Seas, Loggerhead Coffee, BSU-T&D and Music Theatre International. It’s a rare blessing to have some ownership and control as a young employee. Thank you for giving me the honor of management.

I’ve been lucky enough to literally travel the world doing what I love--creating theatre. While it’s a tough and unstable career, I feel it is my way to give back to the community and world at large. Thank you to all the INCREDIBLE theatres and companies I’ve worked for--especially to NETworks and the creative team of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for the past nine months!

I have learned so much and grown from all of my life experiences. However, I would not have received the scholarship or job opportunities if it hadn’t been for the people I’ve encountered and mentioned here. (Please forgive me for any oversights or misspellings!)

I wanted to officially announce that I am ending my time with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and returning to NYC on 11/8. I am very proud to have been associated with this show and company--it was a dream come true. I would like to thank NETworks, Disney, Rob, Matt, Sam and Connor as well as the cast and crew for all they have given me. I have grown and developed significantly throughout my time with the show. I look forward to my next challenge and want to thank everyone for this incredible opportunity. I will (finally) be signing with McDonald Selznick Associates, continue my studies with Susan Eichhorn et al, and seeking my next project to “incite, inspire, motivate and provide.”

Looking forward to the next 25 years!

(((LOVE)))

Tony

Telling the Truth

David Mamet's memo to his writers on THE UNIT was recently released online. I was struck by his statement "The Actors job is to be truthful." Easy, right? WRONG!!! To be truthful requires more than your "Talent." You must have artistic integrity.

I believe artistic integrity is made up of your discipline, stamina, technique, work ethic, professionalism, and awareness.

Professional stage actors are most often required to perform eight times a week. Precisely hitting specific physical, vocal, and emotional marks (set by a director) TRUTHFULLY requires steadfast artistic integrity.

After the thrills of opening, actors tend to grow lazy or selfish. Your artistic integrity ensures that your performance doesn't waver. Having artistic integrity ensures you tell the same story each night truthfully...regardless of circumstances.

I'm currently blessed to be working with some true artists. I've enjoyed watching performances bloom with rich artistry--but remain truthful each night.

On the flip side, I'm taken aback by the negativity, entitled criticism, and pretentiousness of many theatre folk. Many see a performance and then delight in privately tearing it apart afterwards. Others watch YouTube clips and have the audacity to leave negative comments. If you can do better--then why don't you? (Easier said than done!)

I put together this video clip for MTI ShowSpace. Young writers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul discuss social networking and the future of musical theatre. I concur with these guys. If we keep being negative--WHO WILL CREATE!?

One cannot get better from watching and criticizing others! We are one big family and we should care about each other if we want art to be made. Find ways to contribute positively--don't contribute to the negativity.

Nike says it best: "JUST DO IT!" CREATE! Don't give in to fear. Be bold and take risks!!!