Cast yourself in the role you must play -- Value courage over confidence -- Congratulate the person who got "your" part -- It's called a "play" for a reason -- Raise your voice -- Turn your weaknesses into strengths -- Dance like everyone's watching -- Remember: The show must go on -- Don't cross your arms when the director is talking -- Take comfort that everyone is always starting over -- Realize we're each the lead of our own life -- Fake it -- Find your "I want" song -- The real work happens after opening night -- Buy something physical to remember a big win -- Figure out what kind of no it is -- Forget your résumé. Polish your reputation -- Let someone else take a bow -- Be a good scene partner -- Be extra nice to the P.A.'s -- Make stuff. Don't make fun of stuff -- Create a new family from your cast -- Go where the love is -- Recognize that life is like a musical -- Save the drama -- Stop saying you're tired -- Clap loudest for the understudies -- Give compliment sandwiches -- Follow your whims -- Recover between performances -- Recruit a friend to assess your audition outfit -- Arrive a half hour before half-hour -- Imagine your hero in the audience -- Rehearse under emergency conditions -- Write fan letters -- Be nice outside the audition room, too -- Keep a photo of the worst gig you ever had -- Don't review a show on-site -- Forgive yourself for a bad performance -- Put on a happy face -- Reconnect with your inner theater kid -- Take the note -- Live in a suitcase -- Go on "vocal rest" -- Write an aspirational Playbill bio -- Try to name all of last year's Tony winners -- Know that you're both irreplaceable and replaceable -- Screw up onstage, but keep dancing -- Find your tribe -- Life is not a dress rehearsal.
Summary:
Before Tim Federle became a bestselling author and a Broadway playwright, he worked as a back-up dancer at the Super Bowl, a polar bear at Radio City, and a card-carrying chorus boy on Broadway. Life is Life a Musical features 50 tips learned backstage, onstage, and in between gigs, with chapters such as "Dance Like Everyone's Watching" and "Save the Drama for the Stage." This charming and clever guide will appeal to all ages and inspire readers to step into the lead role of their own life, even if they're not a recovering theater major.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.