sopran@a... wrote:
sopran@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 9/4/01 3:27:21 PM, johnlink@n... writes:
>
> << In bios in programs I often read something along the lines of "I am
> so happy to be a member of this cast". In my book, that's about the
> height (depth?) of unprofessionalism. >>
>
> Or "thank you, Mom and Dad" or something of that nature. Reminds me of a
> Broadway program, but I must confess that I don't like it there, either!
> Somehow it doesn't ring true for me. I guess it seems a little too public to
> be genuinely sincere.
Hmm... I would respectfully beg to differ... Another one of those "personal
taste - you can't please all the people all of the time" kinds of things... For
what this is worth, from my 28 "odd" years' experience doing opera, musical
theatre, vaudeville and concert stuff and 20 more "odd" years of life, I rather
enjoy knowing something of the "whole performer/human", which can be expressed
in as many ways as there are people... In the "initial marketing phase" to get
the gig, i.e., all the resume/cover letter stuff as previously discussed here,
there is much to be said for being succinct (ah, those oxymorons...). I rather
think of the program bio as a sort of "post-marketing phase" - a celebration of
a kind for getting the gig and the privilege to share one's gifts - all parts of
the "whole performance"... As a celebration, it is an opportunity to express
personal gratitude to colleagues and/or family (as in the examples above), or
for whatever we are grateful, which being the individual humans we are, can
occur in myriad forms of, to borrow my favourite psychological turn of phrase,
"self disclosure", i.e., a certain risky, voluntary revealing of oneself, being
"vulnerable", which I believe is an integral part of the complete artistic
process... yet another thread, "another story"...
Self disclosure can run the gamut - serious, whimsical, outright silly... "It
takes all kinds..." And yes, it is always a "judgement call" for every
different situation, being sensitive to the perceptions of others... I think
the "one sentence" examples above would be perfectly fine in most programs - An
entire paragraph or whatever of personal self disclosure might be inappropriate,
given the particular degree of formality required, physical space limitations,
etc.
I often feel personally and professionally inspired (and "grounded" in the best
sense...) to know something of a performer's "extracurricular activities", be it
some kind of (un)usual hobby, family life, personal struggles, causes... For
example, Beverly Sills' challenges in having a career while raising a daughter
who was born deaf, Paul Robeson's sociopolitical struggles, his championing of
human rights... Life informs art and vice versa...
Cheers.
Michael
Michael Eckford <michaelb@y...>
Michael Eckford <michaelb@y...>
Baritone, Vaudevillian and Green Eccentric Introvert With Loud Voice
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
http://www.angelfire.com/me/interdependence/
1. Where are you living?
2. What are you doing?
3. What are your relationships?
4. Are you in right relationship?
5. Where is your water?
6. Know your garden.
7. It is time to speak your truth.
8. Create your community.
9. Be good to each other.
10. Do not look outside yourself for the leader.
--Hopi elder
|
|
|  |
