What Do You Do With a B.A. in Theatre? Part I: Directing

"What do you do with a B.A. in English?" croons Princeton in the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q.  Well, that, I can tell you from experience - be a writer, be a teacher, go to law school, or go into any field looking for college graduates!  The possibilities are wide-ranging.  Not so much with a degree in Theatre.  If you choose to use your degree for an actual career in the theatre arts, the road can be a difficult one, littered with failed dreams, rapid success and just as rapid downfalls, and many, many starving artists.  But, if you are truly passionate about your art/profession, and are strong enough to face almost daily rejection (not to mention poverty and constant self-assessment) you can make a career of it.   

I recently had the opportunity to interview three very different young men with one big thing in common, a passion for the art of theatre.  All three also happen to have graduated from the same program, culminating in Bachelor degrees in theatre from Towson University in Maryland.  An internationally recognized program, TU has given the world Tony winner John Glover(recently in The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway), Oscar nominee Howard E. Rollins, and many others who work behind the scenes in New York, Chicago, and all over the world.   

The first of the three interviews is with Ian Belknap, a 2006 graduate of TU, whose career thus far has mostly focused on directing theatre.  In fact, this week, he has a new play opening as a part of the Baltimore Playwrights Festival called Save Me at Fells Point Corner Theatre in Baltimore.  That Belknap is the subject of this interview is best summed up by James Kinstle, Artistic Director of the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, where Belknap works.  "Ian is a talented, upcoming director who has a clear vision and a bright future. He has a good understanding of the theatrical process and has grown artistically in the local community. He is another fine example of how the Baltimore community develops young talent." 

Theatre "magic" struck Ian at an early age.  "I knew from a very early age I wanted to grow up and be in the theatre. I played Nana the dog in Peter Pan in 2nd grade. When the show closed I asked the director if I could keep the dog house. I did and slept in it for a while. I think at that point my parents knew there was no turning back. I loved the people of theatre very much. I still do. That, ultimately, is why I do it," he explains.  That experience, years ago, got him started in the right direction, but, "I really didn't know what area I should concentrate in. That is why Towson was so appealing. I, like most 19 year-olds, wanted to act, but I was also very interested in directing and dramaturgy."  The program allowed him to try a full spectrum of experiences in all aspects of the art and the business of theatre. 

While he credits TU for the experiences, he ponders how much schooling got him ready for "real life."  "I am not sure if you can be prepared for a career in theatre. It is something, until you are living it, is hard to anticipate. I struggle every day having a career in the theatre. There are many growing pains."  Still, college provided a solid background for Belknap.   "Towson University exposed me to every facet of theatre, which ultimately has helped me be able to pay rent and live your typical broke 20-something lifestyle," he says. 

Post-graduation means a lot of "getting your foot in the door" and no one knows that better than this young man.  He did not leave school and immediately get hired for his big directing debut in New York.  Instead, "I have done everything from selling tickets-hanging lights-directing new plays since I have graduated.  I have acted and have worked administratively at Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, taught classes at Fells Point Corner Theatre, did props at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company."  Directing opportunities, Belknap's area of emphasis in school, have been coming his way.  "I directed Split at Baltimore Playwrights Festival, The Kennedy Center (as part of the page-to-stage-festival), and Towson University (a fundraiser for his alma mater, hosted by John Glover). I also directed a couple of short plays at Baltimore Theatre Project with Run of The Mill (as part of the Variations on Justice). I [also got the chance to] direct and stage manage (The Prince Music Theatre and the Philadelphia Theatre Company) in Philadelphia."  Sounds like a terrific start just a year out of undergrad college, right? He laughs, "[All of these jobs] came about through auditioning, networking, and begging..."  Of all those experiences, so far, he thinks the greatest is "probably directing Ira Gamerman's Split.  Why is it the greatest so far? I had to use many skills I used at Towson from the obvious [skills] of directing a play to script development, painting a set, hanging lights, etc." 

Ian understands that some of success in theatre (and most other careers for that matter) depends on who you know.  "It does count for a lot; however, in my experience you still have to be able to live up to your reputation. John Glover helped me get an interview for a directing gig in Philadelphia that I probably would not have gotten without his aide. I still had to go into the interview and represent myself well. It's great to have friends with connections but you still have to be able to deliver."  That realization will probably serve this talented young artist well in the coming years.  

In the coming years, "I want to direct in the regional theatre circuit, so I think graduate school will help me get there."  Like most 20-somethings, he is realizing that life after school presents many challenges and life experiences that a classroom doesn't provide.  The biggest surprise thus far?  "Paying bills. You hear your parents complain about bills your whole life (at least I did). Paying bills sucks out the kid in you. The first set of bills I paid made me grow up quickly. It is hard to pay bills and be an artist. In college they tell you that, but it's a different thing altogether when you are searching the floor of your car to pay for gas. Money is the hardest aspect of being an artist." 

Belknap admits that life can be difficult, but even the lowest lows can help you grow as an artist.  One such thing is "probably experiencing loneliness, which I did quite a bit in Philadelphia. Adult loneliness is different than teenage angst feelings. Adult loneliness enables you to take a good long hard look at yourself. It has helped me figure out who I am, but at times it was incredibly difficult."  How about the rejection that is inherent on such a field?  Belknap looks to himself and the advice of another artist, "I think you have to treat every day the same. A good director named Michael Bush who I worked with in New York and Philadelphia told me he faces rejection the best by treating every day the same; finding equilibrium is important. Don't let the highs get too high and the lows too low. In fact, that has been my motto lately." 

Both the present and future look bright for this young up and coming Joe Mantello.  Right now, he works for the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival during the day and has several projects lined up for the upcoming season.  In addition to Save Me opening this weekend, later this season (February 2008) he'll helm the student production of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors for BSF, and he'll be directing The Woolgatherer as a special added part of the Fells Point Corner Theatre season this spring.  

This already lengthy resume of credits comes as no surprise to Jay Herzog, Department Chair of the Theatre Arts program at Towson.  "Ian Belknap is another example of someone who loves the theatre and can find happiness in many different disciplines within it.  He has directed, stage managed, produced, acted and so much more.  When students graduate, you wonder where they might be in 5 years.  With Ian you knew there was no other life for this young man.  He continues to delve into many different aspects of the theatre and has discovered the thrill of teaching youth about the theatre and acting," Herzog says, with obvious pride. 

As for the long run, Mr. Belknap continues to dream and have goals.  "I really want to be an artistic director of a Regional Theatre. It would allow me to direct plays, run a theatre and have a family."  Any fall back plans?  He laughs, "If that fails I want to sell beer at Wrigley Field and see every Cubs game. Or be a fish guide in Westport, Ontario, Canada."  Canada will just have to wait.  For now, Baltimore is lucky to have this talented guy in our neck of the woods.

 

PHOTOS: TOP to BOTTOM: Ian Belknap; a scene from the award-winning play Split, directed by Mr. Belknap; Ian (left) in a scene from the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival production of The Tempest; a scene from Save Me at Fells Point Corner Theatre .  Photos courtesy of J. Kinstle of the BSF and the Baltimore Playwrights Festival.