| "The average kids who are
doing this are healthy and happy," Peter Sklar said. "And I've
known enough of them to say that with some authority."
Sklar, 56, is an independent producer, child-development counselor,
talent scout and director of a performing-arts center in upstate New York.
His students have included Sarah Jessica Parker, Ricki Lake, Reese
Witherspoon, Rick Schroder and Mischa Barton.
Sklar also travels around the country, giving lectures on how young
people can further their careers while avoiding common pitfalls such as
industry scams and eating disorders. He even jokes about "stage mom
syndrome."
"Today's stage mothers will say, `I'm not pushing my child," Sklar
said in a telephone interview. "I'm not making her do this. Ever since she
was 2 1/2 weeks old, this has been her dream.'"
Sklar will speak at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sherry's School of Dance,
802 W. Main St. in Collinsville. His lecture is called "Young Dreams ...
Fears, Hopes and Fantasies."
It's open to ages 6 and above. (Those under 18 must be accompanied
by one of their own parents). Admission is free. Reservations are
required. For more information, call 344-6200.
"The kids who are coming are very excited," said dance teacher
Sherry Papachrisanthou. "They just want to hear what he has to say. ... We
have situations where parents aren't sure how talented their children
really are. They want to keep things in perspective."
Sklar focuses on four major points. The first is self-awareness, a
concept based on discussions with casting directors who repeatedly use the
terms "real" and "self-motivated" to describe children they want to hire.
Next comes health. Sklar points out entertainers must feel good and
look good to stay at the top of their game. They need energy, endurance
and focus.
"I tell kids, `You have to eat a lot of green vegetables every
day," Sklar said. "You have to cut down on your sugar and caffeine. You
have to drink a lot of water. You have to wash your hands.'"
Sklar advises teenagers and twentysomethings to stay single, noting
youthful marriages among entertainers usually fail and they can interfere
with careers.
Finally, he encourages family members, teachers, neighbors and
friends to think and act positive.
"(Aspiring entertainers) have to politely and respectfully ignore
the advice of anyone who ever tells them, `There's so much competition and
rejection in this business that you have to have something more realistic
and practical to fall back on,'" Sklar said.
"It comes from people who care about these kids. They want to
protect them. But it's the most destructive advice you can give to a young
person who has a dream."
Sklar recommends young dancers, musicians and actors beef up their
resumes by taking classes and performing in local productions whenever
possible.
He sees no problem with parents taking children to New York City or
Los Angeles during summer vacations to read trade papers, go to open
auditions and "get their feet wet" in show business.
"I don't like parents moving out there full time and trying to
start a career with their kids unless the child's at least 18," Sklar
said. "It just feels wrong."
He strongly encourages high-school graduates to spend a year in New
York City or Los Angeles before going to college. They can get a feel for
life as a struggling entertainer by auditioning, taking classes, waiting
tables and paying rent.
Sklar prefers New York City because people don't need cars, and
they can get more accomplished in a day without fighting traffic. The city
also offers opportunities for actors with all levels of experience.
"There's nobody more bewildered than a 22-year-old, theater-arts
graduate who has no idea what's out there waiting for them," Sklar said.
"They hit the streets, and the first thing they find out is nobody wants
to hear their monologue. They're going to read a 30-second commercial
while the agent's eating lunch and talking on the phone.
"And after four years, $80,000 and being the lead in all the school
plays, that's a huge bruise. So find it out when you're 18 so you know
what's waiting for you out there."
Sklar practically begs young people to attend college. He has no
hard evidence but feels educated entertainers are more successful overall.
Sklar discourages students from majoring in theater or other
performing arts, although many in show business disagree.
"I think they should minor in (performing arts) and major in
something that broadens their perspective, increases their depth," Sklar
said. "I recommend things like psychology, history, philosophy or
sociology so when they come to your table they bring more to it."
Sklar warns parents to stay away from hotel talent searches,
non-union talent or modeling agencies, companies that charge high prices
to prepare portfolios and anyone else who doesn't offer to provide client
references.
Agencies not affiliated with the Screen Actors Guild can't get
clients major jobs or earn large commissions, so many rely on sales of
unnecessary services to get by.
"There's virtually nothing we learn about you with any relevance to
casting from a photograph," Sklar said. "The purpose of pictures in show
business is, it's something you drop off at an audition or interview just
to remind the casting people who they just saw. It's a face to go with our
notes.
"But people spend thousands of dollars for these portfolios, and
that's silly. We don't look at them."
Sklar grew up in a musical family. He studied concert piano at The
Juilliard School in New York City. His mother was a pianist. His sister is
a flutist.
Sklar started his career as a theater accompanist and children's
vocal coach. He earned a master's degree in education from Harvard
University and led discussion groups for young Broadway performers.
"They would come in and talk about their lives," Sklar said. "It
was so interesting to me that I started writing a musical about it (`The
Kid Who Played the Palace'), and 20 years later, I'm producing it."
In 1984, Sklar founded the Beginnings Workshop in Hancock, N.Y.,
near his home in Ossining. Hundreds of young people from all over the
country have trained theree in theater, vocal music and other performing
arts.
Behind the scenes, Sklar tries to reassure parents that young
people can work in show business and still live healthy, happy, relatively
normal lives as long as they have plenty of love and support.
"You hear about the kids who became stars and then crashed and
burned," Sklar said. "But their self-image and families were probably not
in very good shape before they ever stepped foot on a set."
At a glance
What: Peter Sklar lecture on "Young Dreams ... Fears, Hopes
and Fantasies."
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Sherry's School of Dance, 802 W. Main St. in Collinsville.
Who: Ages 6 and above (those under 18 must be accompanied by one of
their own parents).
Admission: Free.
Reservations: Call 344-6200.
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