BRIGITTE THIEME-BURDETTE

FAQ

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When should I start prepping?

It can be really helpful to start lessons sooner rather than later. I recommend starting during your junior year. That way, we can start to instill good habits and work on elements of your work that with plenty of time to spare. 

 

However, everyone's timeline and needs are vastly different; so if you come to me eight weeks before your auditions, we'll make it work! (but please give yourself more time than that, that's too stressful!!!)

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When are pre-screens due?

Well, that depends. For Musical Theatre, aim for anywhere from September 15 - December 1. For Acting, aim for November 1-December 1. Some schools don't require pre-screens; so for those places, aim for being ready in mid-January!

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Do I need to have my pre-screens professionally recorded?

Absolutely not! I personally love to coach young actors through their pre-screens and make sure we have ample time to reshoot things if we want. You wanna come back next week and go again? Great, let's do it! It can feel super daunting and pressured suddenly getting in front of the camera and lights for this thing you want so badly.

 

As someone who does a lot of self-tapes as an actor, I know that many of us have a habit of looking back at the tape and criticizing every little thing. We then try to get it "right". All this gets us into our heads and we make it about ourselves rather than about the character. 

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So! All this to say - even if you don't come to me, just make sure your eyes can be seen, the light is good, your voice can be heard and that you have fun. Have someone behind the camera who is completely supportive of you who won't judge or criticize. 

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Will you write my recommendation?

Yes! BUT I need to have known and worked with you for at least six months. How can I sing your praises if I don't know you, what makes you cool, how a school can help you grow, etc.?

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This is all really overwhelming. That's it. I don't have a question.

Folk, I feel you. It is stresssssssssful. That's why I aim to take as much of that pressure off of you as I can. You just do your job as an actor. Let me worry about whether the pieces are right for you, if it's what schools want to see, if you're being affective, etc. I got you. 

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Does having a professional headshot matter for college auditions?

Nope! Get yourself a professional headshot if you’re going to school in NYC, NJ or LA. This way, you can start going out on auditions. If you’re not going to school at any of these places, and even if you are, don’t worry about it. 

 

But won’t it seem unprofessional of me to not have a professional headshot?

No. They simply want to have a clear, well-lit still image that looks like the person they see on the videos you send or when you they meet you in person. It helps jog their memory. Some schools then put everyone's photos together for the finalists and arrange folks around. These photos sometimes live on the backs of professors doors so they can remember who is in the upcoming class. HAVING A PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING AND DOES NOT PUT YOU AHEAD. Do you want to go to a school that says, “well I really liked Sally’s audition and I think she might be a good fit for our school, but she used her school photo for her headshot, so I don’t think we’ll let her in.”? I mean if you do, great, go for it. But for me personally, I don’t know if I’d get the best training at a place that puts more importance on this stuff than on the craft.

 

All of this surface stuff does not matter as much as people who want your money want you to think. It’s the craft. It’s the heart. It’s the gut. It’s activating “the other” across from you. However, if having all this really professional surface stuff makes you feel really good and together and quells your anxiety, go for it! It won't harm you.

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"You should have started training when you were in middle school in order to get into the best college programs or be an actor at all."

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NO. There is no “right” time to start training as an actor. Sure, if you decide when you’re 7 that you’re going to be an actor and that’s it, there’s nothing else for you, that’s great! Go with it! All in baby! But if you’re a sophomore in high school and you decided to take drama and realized omg I love this, then soak it up! I’ve done countless short films and plays with people who had completely different majors in undergrad or even grad school, and have become very successful actors. It's not about when you start, but about passion, drive and self-awareness.

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But, this person that I know says, “You need to eat, sleep, live performing if you’re gonna make it.”

 

NO. ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO. This is the old school of thinking. It is an often harmful point of view that can perpetuate an unhealthy relationship with acting and art. Please have life experiences, that's what will make your acting more effective. Go be a Girl Scout, start that non-profit, try out for the swim team. Surround yourself with people from all walks of life. Hear their stories. Observe. Forget about acting for a month and play Minecraft. Please do not rob yourself of a life because someone tells you you must always be thinking of performing. 

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