How To Succeed In Drama Career - 7 Effective Secrets

You're not the only one asking this question. The answer is simple but applicable. I've been working with Theatre learners for years and this question popped up when I tried to talk about the importance of drama. Many people ask themselves whether there is a way of being successful in "Drama". I will not say that there are such ways because it is a large industry that everybody steps in differently. The best way to live drama is imagining and imitating. I am going to share with you some tips that I found working and that many other famous dramatists applied. I made this research during four years studying theatre and being a practitioner with street kids in Kigali. I applied the same and it worked. I don't regret a one year no job, no vacancy... after graduating from the college, but learning from every possible corner made me stand up and still. Find these tips below and analyze them more carefully:

1. RICH AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS with DETERMINATION: Life is only about how you make it happen! Life is designed the way you can plan building a house, finding the resources, the means and even the interest. It doesn’t end by just establishing the building. But furthermost, you begin by configuring a certain target. What would you do with the house when it’s there? Whatever skill you choose in drama asks determination and passion. What do you expect from it? This goes by what would you like to be or accomplish in a given period of time to come? Set goals and try in one way or another to think beyond money. When you consider yourself as a simple person, you will find yourself a losing individual in life with nothing really working.

2. LEARNING SPIRIT: When you are done with some drama courses, don’t assume that you are skilled enough to go. Keep learning. The course you got is the basis that leads you to deep learning. Read books, go to concerts and performances, watch movies and attend workshops. There is no big workshop or small, what matters is what you get from it. All are there for you to extract some essential skills to foster your knowledge. Consult other experts however it is possible to you. Acquire new knowledge and try to rehearse. If you are in drama, there is no need for you to be a football fan; if you go there by just assisting, you are failing because there is nothing getting improved to your creativity. Learn as much as you can. By learning more, you’ll be selective and figure out what works better what doesn’t.

3. PASSION AND COMMITMENT: Once you get in, you don’t get out easily for it asks you to commit yourself and love it even though you are gaining a zero tangible income ("money"). Many people and many theatre companies failed they have put money on the first spot. Whether you are looking for money fast, go elsewhere like in trade, teaching and other businesses. But if your focus is the well-being of the people, do theatre. You will even spend much than you can earn. Profession in theatre is much about being recognized than how much you get paid. Our work is closer to God, humanity and spirits. So, you deal with people and the entire world. Whoever judges theatre, judges life because theatre is life and acting the art of living. Nobody will wait until he needs you. They will wait until your skills are needed. Don't panic or waste your time and money applying for such jobs because you won't be shortlisted. At least if you did some small staffs that made you seen.

4. NETWORKING AND TEAM WORKING: Like in many other businesses, networking is an important and a core element for the growth. Doing "Drama" asks nothing other than connection. Team working doesn’t mean the team of practitioners behind you every day. People may know you with what you do, and that’s all it takes. Don’t think of people like you or those who are lower than you and even the experts. You need them all. Imagine if you taught somebody who earlier becomes famous. Won’t he/she spread you out? Keep connecting until your world ends.

5. PERSISTENCE AND HARD WORKING: Never tire up while in drama because you will find most of the jobs boring and discouraging especially when rehearsing. A successful career in theatre requires persistence too, though trainings, skills and talent must be present to get on it. You are working on a piece of theatre but five hours are gone without a single scene fixed. If you are not persistent, you will drop so immediately. In Drama, be ready to be deceived, thirsty, hungry, annoyed and sometimes out of control. But it is not time to let it go. That’s the right time to work on your improvisational motives.

6. INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY: Theater-makers are like sponges that absorb water. They are like a tree that accumulates carbonated air and transforms it into oxygenated air. Think critical and show to the world the new trials you bring in. Keep researching for new and improving what’s already active.

7. IMPROVISATION: This term is not new for you if you've been in the game for some time. You cannot rely on the things done or established by other and become a professional theatre-maker. Think thrice on the things that none else has ever thought of or innovate the existing ones. By this you will have a go. Keep motivating yourself that nothing is impossible for you make and whatever comes into your mind, exercise it and see what it makes. Don't waste time on copying otherwise you'll find yourself making mistakes that are being done by so many people and you will automatically fail. 

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