Why Can't Guys Like Dance and Drama?

I have participated in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge for 2 years straight. For 2 years straight I have been called a poof, f*ck head and the like just because I am good at and like dancing. Drama also bring ridicule but not as much as dancing. For both years I have ignored what all the other guys in my year have said and done what I want because I like it, and in the theory that if I don't show that it gets to me they will stop. Part reason why I did it this year was because I wanted to show them that they weren't getting through to me and no matter what they say or do I will continue what I am doing.
If there is anyone out there who has suffered the ridicule and the hurt as much as or maybe more than I have or if there is any suggestions to help me I would be more than greatful. Comments???

Cheers,
Alan Gill

Why can't guys like dance and drama? They can!!

Not being a guy, I've never had this problem, but I've known lots of people who have and to be honest, there's nothing you're going to say or do that will change the comments of the narrow-minded people who make fun of you and your choices. My advice to you is to not let it get to you as much. Easier said than done, I know, but if you make a concious decision to change the way you react to things like this, they start to hurt less and less until eventually you wonder how something so trivial even bothered you.

I know you've probably heard it all before; but people reject the unfamiliar, and as is the case with a lot of guys that hassle male dancers, they're often jealous that they spend so much time with girls in leotards!

Don't take it to heart, keep doing what you enjoy and don't let the bastards hold you down. :)

My email's at the top *points* feel free to drop me a line.

-Bec

Dude, ask them next time what they are good at, then ask if they enjoy it, then ask how they'd feel being ridiculed for liking it; then if they get angry(and they are bigger) kick them in the groin and "RUN BITCH RUN"(no insult here, just using the quote from scary movie). If they get you, tell me and i'll help you out....sorry my mind is playing scenarios on me again. Rellay though, what you're doing is great, don't let them get to you. They're just stuck behind a constarint they've placed themselves in. They have managed to restrict they're own freedom. You're much more free than they are, for that you will enjoy life and they'll be bored.

Jason "The Gambler" Gamble

Secretly Alan if you could get each one of them on a one to one basis, then dig deep enough, you will find that they would love to be in IT and/or be able to do what you do.

In a previous life, I was a sent a number of tough dude to do something with or straighten them out. These dudes were so cool you had to use insulated gloves if you were to touch them - they were so "ice", when I put them on stage and put the follow spot on, they melted down to biggest puddle of ham and a fight broke out when the spot shifted to some one else.

This probably won't mean anything to you and not much help - but get them involved, say there is some fantastic babes or whatever you can think up.

It sometimes easier to lower the river than raise the bridge.

I know it is hard when your the odd one out and are isolated from the group -
Hey! have you thought you might be the only one in step and all the rest have problems.

Joe McCabe

Howdy Alan,

Having done eight years of ballet through Primary School and High school and never having the bastards let up even after I did quit (and turned to normal theatre instead), I have to say all the ideas supplied here are great ones, but don't necessarily work.

I tried to fight back, both verbally and physically (Though anyone who's seen me knows that's kind of a laugh to see), I also ignored it.

Unfortunately for me, none of these worked. It just kept going and going. But hey, It became background noise after a while and even when I didn't take heart, I found friends in unexpected places standing up for me instead, forcing the other gits to think about it.

I still act, dance and sing (or at least try to) and when yer out of high school, you'll find people actually start showing you respect for having the guts to get on stage.

Bide your time. It will get better. Tho I wouldn't recomend starting fights unless yer bigger than the other kids:)

Take care,

Anthony

"Brush up your Shakespeare, start quothing him now,
Brush up your Shakespeare, and the women you will wow"

So wrote Cole Porter and by God it still holds true.

In my experience, it's other males that endow the 'f*uck head/poof' titles on those fellas brave enough to don tights and/or tread the boards. Females, meanwhile, fall into a dead swoon at the mention of an artsy male.

I'm sure I'm not just speaking for myself here, judging by Rebecca's pointed indication of her email adress ;-)

Amanda Chesterton

To Alan and all guys or gals out there who want to dance .... or sing ... or act. Read the information below, and if you'd like to perform, give me a call, we'd love to hear from you.

Shannan
0438 899 547

"GET FLUFFED"
Venue:
The Kalamunda Club, Kalamunda Road

Time:
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Keeping our "fluffy" tradition. The Scarp Theatre presents .... "GET FLUFFED!".
A variety night ..... of the theatre kind!

MC'd by Jamie Cant, the night will feature local artists including Anthony Harwood, Chris Thomas, Buddy Clarke, Noel Christian and myself, Shannan Louis, just to name a few.

Tickets are only $10 each, so grab your family and friends - be there or "get fluffed".

Tickets:
$10

Contact:
Shannan Louis shannanlouis@hotmail.com

Phone Number:
Nightingales Pharmacy / The Kalamunda Club / 0438 899 547

Hey there,

Ok, I can sympathise with you alot of it here, because I have been there. I too have been called every name from here to kingdom come and have suffered physically as a result. But I have a trick... Which hopefully you might find useful.

Ask yourself, Do I really care what these people think? I mean, I know its hard all the crap guy actors/singers/dancers have to go through and at first you go into ya room and burst into tears and say "yes" (Hey, theres another point of interest... Why can't guys cry?) but over time you really wont care what the others are thinking.

School is one of the hardest places in the world to be who you want to be and as 'free' as it attempts to be, you still have to fit into the pre designated groups and all that jazz, and I mean, it hurts when the 'in' group who are all drop kicks with no future ahead of them say something (sorry to any drop kicks out there). There were times specifically at school where I would come home and just feel really bad with the amount of emotional and physical abuse that flew around aimed at me... But if you keep going, a fantastic life known as Uni is just around the corner. Everyone who is there are pretty much open minded and like people for who they are. And whats more, you aren't all forced into the same area at the same time. There are interest groups where you meet others who like the same things as you do, and I'm pretty sure this would apply to tafe too. All the drop kicks (who are probably closet actors and are singing away to Kylie in the shower) aren't there, and if they are, it's a big place and you hardly get to see them. Similarly with tafe, you only associate with those who you like, and anyone less intellectual is usually called a wide range of harsher obscenities!

So yeah, I mean, I can try and suggest all these fantastic things which I say will help, but you might find useful, but the next time a &^&()(&%^&*(^ says something derrogatory to ya just say to ya self "Do I really care what they think? " And soon enough, the answer will be no!

Good luck,

Email me if ya want! (unlike beck I have experience in being male and insulted ;op Still love ya beck... so email me!)

James

Hey, don't mean to burst ya bubble but she's mine!

James

(but hey, I met her doing a show!!! and alot of my guy friends are jealous of me now for how many girls I hang around with)

Alan

Don't stress so much. I know you still have a few years left with these idiots, but they are not worth it.

If they really want to hassel you why don't you invite them to come to the Broadway show and see what they are missing out on. Not just the fun but also all the cute young things that you are spending three days a week with. They should be so lucky.

Also if they get to you that much I'm there to listen. I know I'm lacking in the whole male department, but I know what you are going through. My brother is currently overseas dancing acting and what have you. My last job I worked with people who he went to school with and when asked what he was up to I proudly told all that he was a dancer. I then suffered the ridicule because of the closed mindedness of them. So it can be just as hard for us too.

Kris

PS Listen to Anthony , he rocks. He was also in 7Brides at RTC.

As I prepare myself for rehearsals this very afternoon, I thank you all for your support. I can see that there are many of you out there that have been through what I am going through and your advice has helped me a lot. James, thanks for the advice, at the moment it is the best thing I can do and Kris, I will TRY to get them up to the show, but unfortunately most people only stick around long enough to shout out their abuse.

Once again, thanks to all.

Alan Gill

A good man to listen to Alan, this guy is what I call a talented prick, who I am incredibly jealous of. I wish I'd started performing at all as early as he has, and as far as dancing goes, stick with it, as it can be the difference between getting a role and having it go to someone else. Unfortunately I tend to have two left feet, but if I could dance like he can dance...well I might not be quite as jealous dammit.

Damn you Mr Cellophane! You go to hell and you die!

I too have had the pleasure of working with Anthony on many occasions, and am very lucky to say that I am still in contact with him. I also went to primary school with him ... oh so many years ago, and watched Anthony going through what Alan is going through. Troy is right, if you want to model yourself on someone, Anthony's the man!

He never gave up on his dream. He is a very determined young man, with a great deal of knowledge. He should be an inspiration to all young male & female actors.

If you want to see Anthony perform he's starring in Les Mis at the Playhouse soon. But if you want to catch him before then come to "Get Fluffed" on Saturday 25th August at the Kalamunda Club. He's going to open the show!!