July 2010

• Should I go to college after high school?

  Posted by gmadmin   |   July 3, 2010

  Dear Juniors and Seniors,

  I don’t know. And neither do you, really. But here are some things to keep in mind:

  • More than any other time in your life, the next four years are about diving into your interests and learning.
  • A college degree is valuable in the workplace.
  • College degrees are much more common than they used to be. So they’re less special, but more expected.
  • Not all college degrees have equal value in the workplace. However, that is not the only type of value.
  • If your only motivation for going to college is to party, save your tuition money and just rent an apartment.
  • Scholarships are both a blessing and a curse. They make college so much more attractive, but they also discourage you from exploring other options.
  • Everyone should experience the hedonism of geeking out with the smartest, most interesting peers and mentors they will ever meet, reading mind-altering books and engaging in life-changing discussions. Sounds like college to me.
  • A little debt well spent is not such a terrible thing. If you want to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc., then you need that college degree.
  • I have never met someone who regretted going to college.
  • I have never met someone who regretted traveling the world.
  • I have never met someone who regretted dreaming big.
  • I know plenty of people who regret not challenging themselves, partying too much, avoiding hard decisions, and getting complacent and lazy.
  • You can be an artist in whatever you do.
  • If you are going to a community college with the intention of transferring your credits to another institution after two years, be sure to check with both schools to make sure your credits will actually transfer. Otherwise it will turn into a six year bachelor’s degree, guaranteed.
  • Maybe the military or the Peace Corps is right for you. I’m sure they could use you.
  • When you get the travel bug, check out www.couchsurfing.com. If you crave adventure, only you can make it happen. Quit making excuses.
  • Take risks. Not the kind where you end up with your car wrapped around a light pole, but the kind where you pick a controversial thesis topic for your paper, do a play with on-stage nudity, speak in front of a crowd, wake up at 4 am to join the rowing team, form a club, start a business, email your favorite writer, learn a skill outside your comfort zone, be different, read a religious text from cover to cover, study a foreign language, learn to cook, speak to strangers…
  • Talk your plans over with your loved ones. Really listen to their point of view.
  • Learn how to gracefully admit when you have been wrong. Because if you are never wrong, then you are not growing.
  • For most of us, breaking up with our first love is part of growing up. Try to have some perspective on those things.
  • If you challenge yourself, keep an open mind, think hard, work harder, seek knowledge, fill your heart with love, dream big, pay your dues, and keep a moral grounding, then whatever path you take will lead you somewhere worthwhile.
  • College is waaaay more interesting than high school. 🙂

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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• What is success?

  Posted by gmadmin   |   July 3, 2010

  “Success” means something different to everyone. I would love to know what being a successful actor means to you and your students, and particularly whether that standard changes with experience. Fill out the poll and share your thoughts with the Gmusicals community!

  [polldaddy poll=3424413]

  Personally, I tend to think  that the more  you make art your job, the less it becomes your art.  It can be both, for sure, but consider this: if your goal is to make a living by acting in New York, then success means keeping your job in the chorus of a long-running show. That’s eight performances a week of the same material for as many months as you can hold on to it. It is a JOB.

  On the other hand, success might mean acting in four different productions a year in small, intimate venues with fearless local theatre companies. It won’t pay and you will have to keep a day job – but you’re not seriously doing theatre for a paycheck, are you?

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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