Anonymous asked: Do you have any advice for someone that wants to be successful at UCB?
UCB takes a lot of patience and time. First, do all the classes. If you can’t afford them then sign up to intern. I did it for 2 years! You learn a lot about the theatre and see things from a more enlightened perspective.
Then decide what you want to focus on: improv or sketch. Totally do both, but I think focusing on one at first helps you make a presence for yourself. If Improv: find buddies in your classes that you mesh well with. Join a practice group outside of classes and get a coach. There’s a list of UCB-sanctioned coaches they can recommend or ask your pals who they like. Also ask me the scoop on anyone and I’ll tell you my opinion or recommend someone. Get your group to sign up for the Indie nights (TNT, Room 101, Crashbar, Manifesto, 11th hour, Mach Improv, etc) and start putting yourself out there. Do the jam once a month, also meet friends and go to the parties and don’t get drunk and act like an asshole- just meet people, make them laugh, and collaborate. The social part of the theatre is important, too.
If SKETCH! Then write write write. Put up your stuff at Not Too Shabby and Sketch Bar. Take the Sketch classes and again hook up with buddies that you have a similar style with. You can even form your own sketch group and get a coach just like an improv team. I can also recommend coaches for this. You could essentially have your own Maude team and you can perform at the Indie nights and shabby. All these things show determination and hard work to the people who notice.
Don’t talk shit about anyone. You can think some people are funnier or nicer than others but keep it to yourself. Meet everyone and present your true self. Be nice to the managers and interns.
And don’t get discouraged if you don’t make Harold or Maude your first audition. I’d say that over half the main stage performers didn’t make a team their first or even second try. Now that it’s gotten competitive at UCB you really have to prove yourself and how bad you want it. Don’t get down on the theatre or your own abilities if you’re told “No” a few times. There are people who notice this too!
UCB is the coolest place to be. It’s worth the hard work. But if you don’t wanna deal with coaching and money and all that what’s super cool about UCB is anyone can put up a mainstage show without being on a team or even finishing the class program. Email Lindsay the manager about doing a SPANK show. If you write your own 25 minute show you can put it up on Wednesday night. It’s the fastest and essentially the easiest way to get your point across. No excuses, if you want to be on the UCB stage then write yourself a show and show em what you got!
Hope this helps. PS, I don’t feel right claiming to know anything about how to be successful at UCB but this general “plan” I laid out for you worked for me. I focused on sketch and have been on a Maude team for 1.5 years and LOVE IT! See ya out there on the beat!
J
