Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 1 November 2007 — Page 9

The Muncie Times • November 1, 2007 • Page 9

Body Type: In some careers size really does matter

By: Deborah Barnett MUNCIE, Ind. Celebrities, such as Nicole Richie and Tyra Banks, have been scrutinized by entertainment media for being too skinny or too fat. After the theatre and dance majors at Ball State University graduate and start looking for jobs as actors, singers and dancers they too will become victim of the same scrutiny celebrities have undergone. The only difference, the judgment will come from a director or casting director before they become famous enough to make it to the media. They will not get a job based on whether they can dance, sing or act and how they look. Junior theatrical studies major Andrew Shade and senior dance major Chadae McAllister know that appearance is important in the performing arts industry, which is why they maintain a healthy weight. They don’t feel any pressure by the department to watch what they eat. It is a choice they have made. “I know how I look is what will get me a job,” Shade said. “That is the business I chose to be in. McAllister, who plans on getting a job dancing or singing, said she remembers coming back from a summer break and a professor pointed out to

her and other students they had picked up some weight. She said they gave her and the other students advice on how to eat and stay healthy. First, she said, she was offended because she took it as a personal attack. Then, after she evaluated the situation, she was grateful her professor pointed it out. “In the real world no one is going to take that initiative, they will just hand you your [termination] papers,” she said. The Department of Theatre and Dance chairman, Bill Jenkins said the department never tells the students they must lose weight. Instead, the professors may give students pointers on what body type they are and what that means for their future in entertainment or performing arts. Senior Alii Miller said professors told her she would have the body type of a lead actress if she lost about 10 pounds. Her friend, who was heavier than her, wasn’t suggested to lose weight because her body type would get her a job. Directors of shows may tell students what type body types they are looking for in characters. Shade said when he auditioned for a play, the directors told him and the others who auditioned they were looking for smaller framed people because the setting was in the 1920’s when most

people weren’t heavy set. Shade said he’s seen some students get upset when directors or professors suggest they need to be a certain body type to be in a production or to succeed in the major, but he thanks them. “Improving my body, potentially, is what going to help me get my job,” he said. Shade does admit that he was born with good genes. He hasn’t had a problem with maintaining his weight and he’s never been a big guy, but he said he would be con-

fident no matter what size he was. “If I wanted to be heavier set or have a bigger frame, then I would be the best at being a bigger frame,” he said. Ball State has taught theatre and dance majors that there is no one specific body shape in neither dance nor theatre McAllister said, but when she was a freshman, she thought it was. She said she thought thinner was better, but she learned its not about how thin a dancer is, its about shape the dancer is

in. “You can have a big girl who is more toned than a small girl,” she said. “That happens a lot.” McAllister and Shade agree that working on their appearance, whether thin or large, is worth it to become an entertainer because it’s what they love and want to do. “I think if we do what we feel we have to do, whether it is lose or gain weight with confidence, it will all pay off in the end,” she said.

(765) 730-4709 Your Vote Counts on November 6th SHARON McSHURLEY HAS THE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND IDEAS TO BE OUR NEXT MAYOR! - . w w w. iTic s hur le y for may or. e om Fid.'I ti by flit I,[oilunity iti I.Diya: ChuitfdgM OxiTDlttw

McShurley Mayor ' Muicie hrui fitmdilioTL of bang a gL'iit place to Uve, wo/k aid. iai;e a family Like many ether cities in Indiana we face fiscal challenges and must find oestive ways to stiiiiilnle job giofrth and deliver vial city services. As ycur Mayer and fellow taxpayer, I pledge to werkwih the City Council and comnuuiiy leaders to encciuage economic develqpmenl, provide fiscal responsibility, and iiqxove our quality of life now and in the future.'' Shsron McShurley

Ecomnk Dev^qniwiit 4 Jcb Creahon! 4 Expand existing business 4 Eevekp aixcgramto remove sband one d buildings and make room fa - new construction 4 Psitner wih the Chanter ofConmiace, Ball ihte Universiy, and Ivy Tech 4 Collatxxnte with County, Stale, and BCI official: fiscal R«;=]Kaial.«tity 4 Submit a balance d budget to City Council 4 Snppat lo:al businesses 4 Prov ide qualil y public s eiv ice s Quality d Lie 4 Est stilish poit na hips to inprove city parks 4 Create mere family-are me d activities 4 Promote /enc cun-ge comminity unity