Those were international operatic star Chris Fennessy’s sage words of advice to young theatre performers during a masterclass at King’s High School yesterday.
"When I was in London, they did a survey around all the equity [trade union]-paid actors, and only 10% of actors were paid at any one time.
"So it’s pretty hard going. Pretty much, one out of 10 auditions, you’ll be successful in. You have to have a thick skin.
"You could have the best audition and do amazingly, but you’re probably that much taller than the girl they want beside you, so unfortunately you don’t get it."
His stories of the trials and tribulations of a professional singer provided an eye-opening experience for the pupils, but it was his advice on how to improve theatre performances they had been working on that the pupils really appreciated.
However, he had taken a step back from stage shows so he could spend more time with his young children while they were still growing up, he said.
Touring shows can last up to two years.
Once his children had left home, "then I’ll get back into it". Fennessy now lives in Australia, where he works for the Brisbane City Council devising music programmes for the city.
He also has his own company, Epiphany Productions, which provides acts for cruise ships. Fennessy was in Dunedin yesterday to attend the school’s sports council dinner at the Edgar Centre, with fellow former pupils Grant Robertson, Ben Smith, Darren Smith, Paul Miller, Laurie Mains and Tom Willis.
The event aimed to raise money for sport at the school.
