Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple

The Broadway community isn’t really that large. If you align yourself with the true professionals, YOU CAN take a great big ole bite of the Broadway experience. That’s exactly what several St. Louis students did this summer.

Many auditioned at the Broadway Workshop that was sponsored by the St. Louis Cappies, this past February. St. Louis was awarded three scholarships…and several others received acceptance letters to the workshop in New York City.  A testament to the talent we have in our city.

Congratulations to those of you who saw the fruit on the tree and plucked it!

This just goes to show you that hard work and dedication does pay off. Time and time again, students who really “want it” have proven their desires by working hard at developing their craft, and recognizing and acting upon the few opportunities that present themselves. Now they are realizing their dreams.

The entertainment business is much different than it used to be…even 10 years ago.  No longer do only a few succeed.  More and more are realizing their dreams. They are making it happen for themselves.  With the ever growing global market, now more than ever, creative opportunities abound.

I can personally account for a former student of mine who has appeared in several major motion pictures. He worked with Julia Roberts (her Oscar winning role), Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Ben Affleck, the list goes on. These were speaking roles, not an extra, walk-on or in the background. Lately, he has been a guest star on current television hits like the C.S.I. series.

When I cast him in his first play he was sitting, waiting for his cue, and he insisted on stopping the rehearsal. Apparently, a profound revelation had struck him and he was highly motivated to tell me what it was. He said, “Mr. Treece…when I get older I am going to be an actor.”

The gleam in his eye is something I will never forget. At that moment, time really stood still because I knew he was serious, I knew he would do whatever it takes…and he did. I remember telling him, “If that is what you really want…and you work hard at it, you will be very successful.” I know that sounds cliché but that is what I said and I believed it, I believed in him.

Then I remember saying, “Now make your next cue!”

The next thing I knew, he had moved to Chicago…he wasn’t even in high school yet! His parents found a program similar to the foreign exchange program, but for aspiring student actors. Soon he was accepted into the fine arts high school, and he never looked back.

After graduating, he went to Du Paul University and got his degree and then went out and claimed his place in cinematic history. He has the distinction (among many others) of being a principle actor in an Oscar winning film his first year in the “real world”, as well as this past year!

In direct contrast, another student decided that he was going to go into the Marines after high school, which is great! When he got out he told me that deep down he had a secret passion for acting. Still a very young man, I encouraged him to go to L.A. and pursue his dream. Yesterday, he called and told me he was cast in TRUE BLOOD on HBO. He has been in L.A. for exactly one year!

There are many other stories that I could tell. The point is, if you really want it, STUDY, WORK HARD, HONE YOUR CRAFT, MAKE A PLAN AND GO AND GET IT!

Yes, this all sounds so simple, and we know that it isn’t. But the key difference between success and failure is that the smart ones recognize a great opportunity and pounce on it.

That is what the St. Louis Cappies is providing you.

Just this past February, as I briefly mentioned earlier, Cappies brought a Broadway director to St. Louis for students to attend a Broadway workshop, and audition for a scholarship to go to New York City this summer and meet and work with the best of Broadway.

Those who attended had an opportunity to learn from Broadway professionals. They had an opportunity to audition for Broadway professionals. Some of them have now been working with Broadway professionals.

Did you know there are a few who are now up for Broadway shows? Two students from the workshop in NYC, have booked a Broadway show!

Why? Yes, they are talented and work hard, but as one director put it…”Because you seized this opportunity, we now know your name and who you are. You made a critical decision, one that has set you apart from thousands of others.” Think about that.

People used to believe that dreams were just that, unrealistic figments of your imagination. That is only the case if you don’t do anything about it.  All of the people I have mentioned, said to themselves, this is what I want and I am going to get it, and they have.

Yes, you have to get an education and everyone who does is more successful because of it. Yes, they had to work hard. Everyone who is truly successful does.

You can do it too! But your chances of success are better if you begin taking advantage of the opportunities that are available to you.

The St. Louis Cappies gives students a big step up in helping you achieve your goals. After all, there are people just like you who are in the BIG APPLE right now…they are living their dream.  Why not you?

If you are reading this and your high school theatre arts program is not a member of the St. Louis Cappies organization…then you are missing out. Being a member of the Cappies, could make a huge difference in making your dreams a reality, possibly sooner than you might think.

Now is the time for you to get your theatre department to sign up. All you have to do is go to our international website, click on how to join and follow the simple steps. Our training day is coming up on September 22nd. So don’t hesitate!

For more information about the ST. LOUIS CAPPIES, please contact keaton.treece@cappies.com