In his article on ehow, Elliot Feldman writes, "In the 1980s, actor Chazz Palminteri's career was barely scraping by with tiny bit roles and nightclub bouncer gigs. He was just about to pack it up, when he decided to enroll in a theater workshop run by Mark Travis, a teacher with prior experience producing one-person shows. In the workshop, Palminteri told a true story about witnessing a murder in front of his house at age nine. From this story came a monologue that spawned more stories that eventually became his one-person play "A Bronx Tale", which became a movie starring Robert De Niro.
Chazz Palminteri's journey to success through his "A Bronx Tale" and other such journeys like Nia Vardalos and her "Big Fat Greek Wedding" are definitely inspiring to an actor's dream of doing a solo show. However, without commitment, proper planning, and doing the work, the actor is likely to end in the "I dream stage" of development rather than "on stage live" and successful.
Beyond Dreaming
Michael Kearns in The Solo Performer's Journey, writes "How many people have you heard announce "that they are planning to do a solo show"? Very few of these dream shows make it to the page and fewer still make it to the stage. The reason? It's a four letter word: w-o-r-k."
So, getting down to the work, here are some of the questions an actor should ask him or herself when contemplating the solo performer's journey:
Do I have the Acting Skills Necessary?
It takes a great actor who can command the stage all alone for at least an hour to perform a solo show. The actor needs to be a "professional," which for this article is defined as: "talent of professional quality and skill."
In his article, An Actor's Education, Sean Pratt writes, "While being involved with the local community playhouse is fine for the person who wants to tread the boards and revel in their love of acting, to make the leap from amateur to professional you must begin with a course of training."
Why Do I Want to Fly Solo?
Here are a few popular answers:
- Being an actor is about acting. The actor wants to stretch him/herself and work his or her already fine-tuned craft.
- The actor wants to showcase him or herself to the Industry.
- The actor is looking for a way to act and make money as an actor.
The actor's answer to this question will color every decision he or she makes.
What Will My Play Be About?
Whether it is autobiographical or about someone else, having a universal concept is integral to the show's success. Also, incorporating all of the actor's talents and essence into the piece will give the actor something that uniquely expresses who he or she is as an actor.
In his article, Actor Marketing 101, Sean Pratt writes, "... Do you have a flair for comedy? Can you swordfight? Are you a great dancer? These are your talents. Briefly put, essence is the combination of your physical characteristics, personality, and vibe. Your vibe is the emotional energy you give off to other people and the feelings they have in response to it."
Am I a Playwright and a Director, Too?
Writing plays takes talent and skill. If the actor is not a writer, he or she needs to find one. There is nothing worse than a poorly written one-person show. The audience will run from the theater and tell all their friends about it at the same time.
Although many try to direct themselves, it is deadly. A director will help the actor bring out his or her best performance. The actor needs an artistic guide with a pair of skilled eyes and a vision for the project in sync with his or her own.
What About Props, Lights and a Set?
This question needs to be answered by knowing where the show will be performed and whether or not the actor will travel with it? Although there are many possibilities, simplicity might be the best, since a solo show is about the actor not the scenery, props and lights.
What About Marketing?
The actor should ask: Is there a special group of people outside of the regular theater-loving crowd who wants to hear this story? The actor will have the most marketing success by knowing who wants what he or she has to offer and then marketing to that group.
There are many ways to produce a one-person show other than the standard theatrical run. There is the educational route (going into schools through a grant) and there are groups who do fundraisers and are looking for entertainers, just to name a few.
I'm Ready, So Where Do I Start?
The actor can start by seeing and reading as many solo shows as possible and talking to other successful actors. There are classes, books, and personal coaches. The Internet is a good place to start searching for guidance.
The actor should plan and budget well, and then let passion and enthusiasm lead the way.
Sources:
- Read more at Suite101: Actor Marketing 101: Understanding The Basic Ideas of Self Promotion
- Read more at Suite101: An Actor's Education: The Role That Training Plays in Becoming a Professional
Rita Andriello - Rita is a writer, spiritual practitioner and a teacher. She was born in New York City, and says she was raised on pasta and Italian opera. ...
