June 10, 2004

At some point in the life of the thespian, you will admit to yourself that you are an actor the way one asserts, "I am an alcoholic." Then you give yourself over to this higher power, the limelight, in hopes that you can be saved, made part of the greater whole -- the production. Luckily, the Bay Area performing arts community provides many opportunities for the newcomer.

"Quality theater exists on many levels simultaneously," says Darkroom Productions artistic director Jon Tracey. "From guerrilla theater in the parks all the way up to 'A Doll's House' you can find it here."

But how to start? "Move to town, get a job and get settled as a person," advises Cassidy Brown, the recent star of Art Street Theater's "The Death of Meyerhold."

And whenever possible, audition. Take the 40-minute trip to the South Bay for shows in San Jose, Palo Alto and Cupertino. Check out the bustling East Bay. North Bay companies, including those in Napa and Marin County, use lots of San Francisco actors.

Be sure to go to all your callbacks. Even if there is not a role you necessarily fit, use the opportunity to perfect your monologues (a working actor needs several, both classical and contemporary) and get yourself in circulation.

"Go see as many good shows as you can," advises George McGuire, artistic director at Solano College/Harbor Theater. It exposes you to what's happening locally, and "it's a great way to be seen."

Attendanees at larger houses like the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and Berkeley Repertory Theatre regularly include many important members of the theater community, including teachers, artistic directors and benefactors. The more theater you attend, the more people you will recognize and will recognize you. Woody Allen said that 90 percent of success is just showing up.

Make your current work excellent, whether you are cast as the lead, in the chorus or as stage manager (or usher for that matter). "Work hard, and be humble about it," advises Natalie Adona, a local actor and director. "No divas!"

Newcomers should make the best use of local resources. Weekly magazines such as the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the East Bay Express offer overviews of theater performances. A membership with the nonprofit Theatre Bay Area (www.theatrebayarea.org/) includes a subscription to their eponymously titled monthly magazine (which you can purchase at local bookstores). The group also offers a resume and headshot file for theater and film casting directors, and one-day actor training seminars (called "Spotlight").

BAANG, a Yahoo group moderated by actor/director Renee Racan, (groups.yahoo.com/group/BAANG/) offers reliable audition listings and provides a forum for Bay Area actors. Another great place to get your A-Z's on theater is at Limelight bookstore -- they carry titles on everything from Absurdism to Ziegfeld.

If you are not sure how to prepare an audition or want to get a better understanding of how to approach the craft, take a class. Theatre Bay Area magazine lists a variety of instructors who offer private coaching for graduate school auditions, vocal and dialect training and the Alexander and Meisner Techniques. Group sessions, usually taking place over an eight to 10 week period, are in continuous rotation all over the Bay Area. Some companies, including the A.C.T., offer summer training intensives to adults. Do some research by calling around.

No matter what, don't get discouraged. Actor Thomas Durante encourages newcomers to be patient. "Bay Area theater is a tight community that does not let people in easily," he says. But people do it because they love it -- passion is evident in every line of every act.

According to Jonathan Vandenburg, founder of the Naked Masks company: "I produced a small independent production. When the project began I was the only person involved. By the time we reached opening there were over a dozen people who had contributed in one way or another. Everyone worked for little or nothing. It was refreshing to see there are people out there looking to get involved and opportunities to do so."

Jenny Debevec teaches theater and voice in the Bay Area, sings at weddings and funerals, freelances in her spare time, and interns with Theatre Bay Area.