Michael Emerson's first TV gig

Aw, as a clown... thanks for sharing!

lol that was funny, bet he felt well silly

Something about the opening of the confectionary. I got the script somewhere, as I studied Tennessee Williams. When I find it, I'll post his exact words.

He is an amazing actor. When I was an active participant of our local community theatre, my husband was in the play "Bye Bye Birdie." In it he played the father of the dorky boy who tries to ask the main character out and his voice cracks in the song. Those of you who are familiar with the play, know what I am talking about. Anyway, the director decided that the boy needed a family. Hence, my husband was cast, together with a woman who played his wife and a daughter. Both Brian (my husband) and Gayle (the woman who played his wife) had lines to say. The son had some lines, as well as that bit of a solo in the opening song. The girl had nothing.

Well, she was an amazing actress. She didn't let a nonrole stop her. She played her "dorkiness" to such an extent that she was noticed by everyone. She got a great review and went onto Broadway. But in the long run, she decided that show business was not for her. She is currently a teacher. If she ever decides to go back to acting, I doubt that she will have any trouble getting roles again.

There were other teenagers in that play who complained that they only had one line or two. The director of the play pointed out how Danielle (that is her name) was able to milk her part and she had no lines. It was an amazing sight to see.

So, in essence, Michael did just a great job at making himself noticed. He didn't pout that he got a small part. He made a small part big. Which once again just proves that he is an amazing actor. After all, he did that with Henry Gale. That role was supposed to be a small stint; and look what he did with it.

So you want to act. Here's some advice. Join your local community theatre. You will have to audition. Audition is not fun even when you are trying out for local theatre.

When I started with my community theatre, I, too, was shy at first. So I helped out in the background. Became a prop person, did some stage managing, etc. One day, when I was helping with the auditions (we were doing calbacks--that's when the actors are narrowed down and the director pairs them up to see who's chemistry works with whom), and, for some reason, there was no one there to do the other actor's lines. The director looks at me and says, "Read so and so's lines to the actor." I was shocked, but I did it. I knew that I knew how to act. I was just too scared to audition. I acted when I delivered the lines. I didn't read it in a monotone voice, as some of the director's helpers did. I got the part right then and there at the callbacks. After that, I was hooked.

I still sweat if I audition. But I know that the end result is great.

If you get a part, don't look at the audience. They break your concentration. If the part requires for you to look into the audience, look above their heads. It will seem as if you are looking at them. Immerse yourself into the character you are playing. It will make performing easier. It is not you making a fool of yourself, it is the character. Pretty soon, you will relax. If relaxing is possible. There are always butterflies that live in your stomach. If they didn't, your performance would be equivalent to Britney Spear's latest musical fiasco. You would look dead. You need that nervous energy.

Actors are totally crazy at the end of the play. Why? Because

(1) it is over,

(2) the applause feels good, and

(3) the nervous energy must get out of one's system.

If you audition and don't get the part, don't get upset. Ask whether they need your help elsewhere. Watch the actors learn their lines. Learn from them.

Musicals are another great source to audition. They always need people for the chorus and chances are, you will get in the chorus. Chorus people are on stage a lot more than others (except maybe the key players), some get minor lines. The plus is that you are learning the craft with others, having fun, and not standing out of the crowd. When you are ready, milk your part.

If you need more pointers, I may be able to help you via pm.

Break a leg!!!!

Thank you both so much for your advice! I was preparing monologues to audition for my local university's theatre, but I saw the plays they'd done in the past and they're pretty big on Shakespeare's plays, which I wouldn't be comfortable starting with; I'd prefer a comtemporary play. I also realized I'd be up against students who're already studying for their BFA in theatre and the ones studying for their MFA and I have no experience at all. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to memorize all of that dialogue.

I'm also worried about my crooked teeth (I also have calcium deposits on a few of my front teeth that look like small rocks inside them) because I read that that affects your prounciations and I'm afraid that would ruin my acting career, especially in television; I've heard my voice on a digital camera and I was shocked that my words aren't coming out as clearly like I thought they were.

I've always admired actors and seeing their performances makes me feel less afraid of making a fool of myself and I feel I want to join in.

My parents don't like the idea of me not being paid, especially if they'd have to drive me. They said I'd be better off writing a children's book. They wouldn't have to drive me if I entered college and majored in theatre, but they expect me to stick with whatever I choose to major in, otherwise, they think it'll be a waste of money.

I did want to audition for a student film, but I found out it was going to be set in a bar. I was really dissapointed because I came up with ideas of who the main character was, her background and how I'd play her.

When were your rehersals? At night? How many times a week and for how many hours? How good do directors expect you to be at an audition?