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

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!!!