Student Success: Ethan McEntire
The performing arts industry was one of the most affected industries during the Covid-19 pandemic. Productions had come to a complete halt on and off Broadway and in theater communities around the world. The sudden stop led to revenue repercussions that the industry is still rebounding, and left performers seeking new ways to tap into and hone their craft. Yellowbrick recently spoke with Ethan McEntire, a graduate of Yellowbrick x NYU Tisch’s Performing Arts Industry Essentials course. We discussed what led him to enroll in the course, his plans for the future, and his student success.
I know that NYU has a very reputable performance art department, so I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to learn from them from the safety of my own home.
ON CHOOSING PERFORMING ARTS INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS —
I had recently been forced to withdraw from college, where I was studying performance art, due to financial impact from COVID-19. I was at a point where I wasn’t sure if or how to continue towards my goals of becoming a professional in the performance art industry. This course seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn, and to flex my creative muscles in a time with little opportunity to do so.
I know that NYU has a very reputable performance art department, so I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to learn from them from the safety of my own home. I enrolled in this program so I could further my education in the performance art industry, and ultimately use the knowledge to further my career as an actor in an ever changing industry. I have been able to apply some of the course material already — specifically the sections on acting and auditioning. As I have recently begun to work in the professional acting world, I found the section on self taping to be very helpful. Sometimes, I have to record several self tape auditions in a week, so it has been very applicable to my current work.
I have been able to apply some of the course material already — specifically the sections on acting and auditioning. As I have recently begun to work in the professional acting world, I found the section on self taping to be very helpful.
ON BEING A YELLOWBRICK STUDENT —
I believe that other aspects of the course will be very valuable to me in the future. I may choose to branch out into other roles in the performance arts industry other than acting, so it is great to have a base of knowledge of the industry as a whole.
ON REAL-LIFE APPLICATION —
Performing Arts Industry Essentials gave me a better understanding of just how much goes into just putting on a single show. As I have recently started venturing into directing, this lessons from this course is something I will consider. The biggest takeaway for me was that I can always be working to improve my craft, and that I can always make work for myself as a creative.
The biggest takeaway for me was that I can always be working to improve my craft, and that I can always make work for myself as a creative.
ON THE PAST & WHAT’S NEXT —
I currently work as an stage actor in Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m hoping the knowledge I have received from Performing Arts Industry Essentials will give me the tools I need to set myself apart from others trying to break into the acting world.
For more information on Performing Arts Industry Essentials, head over to Yellowbrick for a sneak peek and the course catalog. You can also take an in depth look at the industry and the careers it offers with Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Performing Arts Career Guide. To keep up with Ethan and his ongoing student success, follow him on Instagram.
