At BYU in the acting and theatre majors, many hours are spent in rehearsals, plays, musicals and learning the techniques and principles to become a successful actor. But are the students in these programs aware and prepared for outside productions that may not fit LDS standards?

Many BYU theatre and media arts (TMA) students face the challenge of keeping their standards in their field of work.

At BYU, professors prepare students for the acting world with an annual showcase in Los Angeles and New York.

"We invite over 1,000 industry professionals, including agents, casting directors, and producers to these showcase performances," said Tim Threlfall, a TMA professor. "Most top-tier MFA [Master of Fine Arts] acting programs have showcases in New York and some of the better BFA [Bachelor of Fine Arts] programs as well. They are designed to introduce students into the professional world. We went to L.A. and New York City at the end of this month. Our students are very aware of what kind of material is out there. We can only help them live and work in such a way that when they are faced with the decision of what show to be in and what show to turn down, the decision will be less agonizing."

Some professors in the acting department think otherwise - that students are not fully prepared to face challenges like roles with bad language, violence and sexual scenes.

"I frankly don't think that we prepare them [students] well enough," said Laurie Purser, a TMA professor. "This [profession] is not worth giving up your exaltation. It isn't worth it. So I think we send people out thinking they can toe the line. I think we send people out thinking that it's OK to give a little, then to give a little more, then to give a little more, and that's what the theater students are doing. And I hear over and over this person has left the gospel."

Purser said that if professors bore their testimonies on the subject more that students might be more prepared for the real world of acting.

However, others disagree, and think the students are well-prepared for the challenges and are quite aware of what is to come, resulting in an even stronger testimony of the gospel.

"It is not our professors' responsibilities to prepare us for the 'real world,' hopefully that is something that our parents have helped us prepare for since we were children," said Kevin Goertzen from Orem, majoring in acting. "I believe that I have been given the tools and preparation that I need to succeed in this industry. The professors at BYU are great examples of those who have maintained their moral ground, or who have faltered and returned to their moral ground. We all fall, we all sin, and the important thing is that we remember who we are and what we stand for.

"My professors are very spiritually encouraging. Some of the most spiritual experiences I have had, not only at the university but in the church, have been in the classes with my professors in this acting program. They are very encouraging about making prayerful decisions, and understand the struggles we are going to face, because they have been there."

BYU student Kat Mandezille from Traverse City, Mich. went to Carnegie Mellon University where she got her Bachelors in Theatre-Acting. She said being an actress was a constant battle between her LDS standards and working, so she chose to leave the profession. She then decided to attend BYU to get a bachelors in marriage family home development and later attend law school.

"I joined the church at the end of my acting career," Mandezille said. "I realized that I shouldn't be in the acting career because I was fighting a war being LDS and working in the industry - I was in a losing war."

Mandezille said it's a dangerous career because sometimes you are asked to do material that is not uplifting, and also because a lot of people get caught up in the showbiz world, doing it for fame and selfish reasons.

Theatre professor Stephanie Breiholt is a working actress on the side. She explained that she wants to help students prepare and be aware of what is out there through her example and experience.

"I always read the script [first]," Breinholt said. "My agent always informs me of content. I don't audition if I foresee a problem. Yes, I have given up roles, but I have been blessed in return. I have been able to stay true to myself without those roles. And I don't have to worry, regret or ... do things that I am uncomfortable with."

Copyright Brigham Young University 16 Apr 2008