Grad Schools

Through my recent work in theatre, I've discovered I have a talent and thirst for directing.  Although I've always thought of myself as an actor, but directing has become a new-found passion of mine.  It is for this reason that the MFA in Directing program at the University of Texas at Austin is appealing to me.  The Directing program usually only admits one or two candidates at a time, so it is highly competive; however, coming from one of the most well-respected undergraduate programs in acting and directing in the nation would certainly heighten my chances.  This would have to be somewhere down the line, however, as the program only admits students with professional directing experience after their undergraduate program, so I would need to work a bit before applying. The curriculum for students in the program is well worth it.  It is a three year, 60-hour program designed to shape students as well-round artists.  Students develop skills in script analysis, playwrighting, design, dramaturgy, composition, working with actors and more.  The curriculum also allows students to take multiple electives which gives them room to tailor their own path as artists and scholars.

A more idealistic, yet most likely unrealistic, program would be the MFA in Acting program at Yale University.  For the most serious and promising actors, this program has long held a reputation as one of the most respected in the nation.  It's easy to see why, as it boasts such an illustrious assortment of alumni, including powerhouse Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, and the recent Tony Award winner for Best Actress Lupita Nyong'o.  Perhaps the most appealing part of this program for me is the amount of actual production work each student has the opportunity to perform.  Quite unlike many undergraduate and graduate programs, in which most students spend multiple semesters without the opportunity to work on actual productions, students in the MFA program at Yale are guaranteed to begin performing at the end of their very first semester.  The program is very intensive and elite, so much so in fact that students are strictly prohibited from performing in productions outside the university.  Once students leave the program, however, they can be confident that they now hold the reputation of the creme of the acting crop and therefore enjoy highly rewarding careers.

Teaching

In order to get traditional teaching certification from SHSU, a student must spend at one semester in Methods, where the student learns the tools of teaching, and one semester in Student Teaching, in which the student takes the knowledge learned to an actual school to apply their knowledge, supervised of course by an actual teacher.  After these courses are completed, the student must take two exams.  One, known as the content exam, covers the student's speciality, like theatre for a theatre education major.  The next, known as the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam, covers general education expertise and methods.  This is not a viable option for me as teaching is not currently in my life plans.

However, to receive alternative certification, a candidate must already hold a BFA and apply.  The student goes through an intensive Alternative Certification program that usually can be completed within a year.  Similar to traditional certification, the candidate must pass a content exam and the PPR exam.  This route offers an accelerated path for those wanting to teach after already having completed college.  If I were to decide to teach, this would obviously be the option for me.

As for community college positions, there is actually a position available at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri for the Dean of the College of Performing Arts.  I would obviously need an MA or MFA to begin with, and most likely quite a bit of experience of teaching at a college level.  I would also surely need a bit of administrative experience as well.

On the university level, Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts is looking for a temporary full-time Professor of Theatre and Speech with the potential of becoming permanent.  As with the previous position, I would need a higher degree, but one that is terminal since this is university level, so either a MFA or Ph.D. This position interests me because, honestly speaking, it's Salem, Massachusetts and I'm into its history and its a very short drive to Boston!

Acting Jobs

In Texas, the job for which I am qualified that I find most interesting is at Esther's Follies in Austin.  A long standing, vaudeville-style venue for magic, satire, sketch comedy, improv and more, Esther's Follies holds a reputation as the source for giggles in the capitol.  Their company holds a highly skilled group of performers who I can personally attest are perhaps some of the most hilarious people around.

Cast members of Esther's Follies, located in the heart of
downtown Austin on historic 6th Street.

I have a history of improvisation.  As a teenager, I performed multiple seasons as an improv actor in the performance company of the Texas Renaissance Festival.  Appropriate for Esther's Follies, my performances there were farcical.  Also, I've spent quite a bit of time doing stand-up, impersonation and parody work in my career as a female illusionist, so quick wit and satire come quite easily to me. Most of all, comedy has always held a special place in my heart.  It is such a relief from a sometimes overwhelming world to be able to laugh at it.  To bring that laughter to others is a joy beyond explanation.

The job in Texas in which I am most interested but for which I am not necessarily qualified is as a member of the Alley Theatre's resident company in Houston.  One of the few true resident theatres in America, the Alley Theatre looks first to its resident company of actors to cast all of its shows, only casting non-company actors on an as-needed basis.  A position with their company would ensure a stable and profitable career as an actor, but would most importantly allow the rare opportunity to tackle a wide variety of pieces and allowing my work to become prolific in scale.

The Alley Theatre's recent production of the provocative
Venus in Fur in November 2013.

The downside of this aspiration is that I do not feel at this early stage in career that I am qualified.  The Alley Theatre's company members hold impressive resumes, and all seemed to have already been accomplished artists before joining the company.  Many of them also hold or have held careers as professors at universities, private acting coaches and artistic directors.  They are perhaps some of the most reputable and established actors in Texas, and to become part of the company, I would certainly need to establish a reputation myself before joining them.

Outside of Texas, I feel I could experience much success as a female illusionist around the country, but any queen will tell you that the most envied of drag gigs are in Las Vegas in the famous illusion shows.  Many performers have earned resident positions in illusion revues around the city. Currently, a newer venue for drag, the Drink & Drag Lounge, is taking applications for drag performers.  These queens not only perform in shows, they serve as personalities offstage to entertain guests.  Improvisation technique and quick wit is therefore a must.

Although I have only been a drag performer for less than two years, I have had the most professional success not as Christopher Preslar, but as Emerald Van Cartier.  The former crowned Miss Austin Superstar, Emerald has been booked for a variety of different shows (one shamelessly plugged below), including impersonation gigs (Cher, Lana Del Rey, Liza Minelli), live singing acts, parodies and even host positions implementing stand-up comedy and improvisation.

Now, performances at drag bars is one thing, but a principal role in a broadway show is quite another.  The upcoming Broadway production of Hedwig and The Angry Inch is about to premiere starring Neil Patrick Harris, and it would be a dream of mine to replace him after he ends his contract.  Of course, I am not a famous actor and gay icon like Neil Patrick Harris - indeed, I don't even have an AEA membership, so this dream realistically speaking would of course not be realized, but I would offer something new to the table as an actual real-life drag performer; however, recent speculation reports that former RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon may have beaten me to it, possibly returning to the role of Hedwig she played in Seattle on Broadway.

Neil Patrick Harris will rock audiences
in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.