My 15 year old daughter wants to be an actress. She fell in love with drama while in her Intro to Literature class and first year drama class. I am trying to be supportive but I know it will be difficult for her. She is a committed Christian. I have suggested that she may be asked to change her values in order to work. How true is that these days? What would you suggest.
2007-07-31 12:29:01 · 7 answers · asked by sunybuni 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Honestly, if she is serious about pursuing theater arts, she will have many challenges to her beliefs. As a rule, people in the theater tend to be far more progressive and broad-minded than most dogmatic religions can tolerate, which is why you don't see too many "Christians" in the higher positions as actors. The one thing no producer or director will tolerate is an actor refusing to say a line or perform a part because they feel it is at odds with their religious beliefs.
Writers of the most seriously-considered drama usually tend to take issue with conservative religions as a part of their writing. As well, if she is the kind of "Christian" that has ANY disagreement with Gays and Lesbians, she will find herself very unwelcome in the theater community. In general, the theater arts tend to orient themselves toward open-minded thinking and the repudiation of dogmatic belief systems, and as a result, many "Christians" find themselves very alone in their beliefs and unwelcome in theater.
2007-07-31 12:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she wants to be a superstar, if seeking for "glory", you may have some trouble (or she will). I think the whole question hinges on the tag "committed" Christian. If she is committed, then she will make the right choices.
The superstar lifestyle is very tempting, for one, and the roles might cover themes or include language which would make her uncomfortable.
But if she chose roles carefully, or enjoyed acting at a more local level, she should have a fine dramatic life. She can hardly be too thrown by "Arsenic and Old Lace" or "Fiddler On the Roof" and other classics.
A life on the stage does not preclude being able to pray regularly or attend church and be a believer.
2007-07-31 12:32:57 · answer #2 · answered by rstrother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I may be able to help...I am a fifteen year old girl and a commited Christian as well. I really don't find being both a hard task, but I do find it hard that my parents(or at least I feel) aren't very supportive of me. When parents aren't supportive of their teens hobbies, they would much rather rebel and do what they want, even if they are a commited christian, they don't feel like they have your support, so they will be willing to change their values to rebel cause it's something they want to do. Usually, the director will change things if she doesn't feel comfortable changing her morals. She may be expected to swear or something, but usually if she expresses her concern to the director, it won't be a problem. The best thing YOU can do, is give her all the support she needs, and remember, she IS acting, so some of those things need to be okay. it is more difficult than it would be if she wasn't a christian, but for me (and for her it looks like) religion is very important
2007-07-31 12:44:31 · answer #3 · answered by Brookie Bombshell 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I once had a very good friend who had a similar problem. We were actors together and in the majority of productions the script would call for foul language or sexually explict scenes. I always admired him for staying strong and sticking to his beliefs. Granted, it meant that his acting career was not all that it could be; but, he was highly thought of for staying true to himself. If your daughter does decide to become an actress there will be many challenges that she will have to face. not just questionable parts, but people in the "business" as well. My suggestion is to try and find a theatre company or even a church that will offer scripts and performances that are sensitive to your beliefs. In a mainstream theatre she WILL be asked to do things she will not want to do. Maybe the best thing is to just instill in her the will power and the courage to say "no, i will not compromise my beliefs."
2007-07-31 14:01:57 · answer #4 · answered by Maggie's Momma 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look into christian films and plays. I think that will ease the pressure of the business. And you will be acting with other christian actors,producers, and directors,and you won't have compromise your beliefs.
2007-07-31 14:17:33 · answer #5 · answered by concern 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i mean if she wants to be the next big actress it will be hard for her because some people would not want to hire someone who has such strong belifs. But i'm sure she can find some things that can suit her belifs.
2007-07-31 12:48:23 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it. She'll most likely lose interest anyway.
2007-07-31 20:45:21 · answer #7 · answered by Big R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋