All JRPs are franchises - individually owned and operated. This means you will always get some bad with the good. Sorry for your bad experience, but don't give up and plese don't judge all JRPs negatively. Keep your paperwork as it is transferrable to any JRP anywhere in the world. That means you can go into another JRP as a professional talent (assuming you finished your training?), or transfer the remainder of the training not yet completed and continue at a new JRP in the future. If you were to ever come to Colorado, we would honor your agreement from NC and give you full access, thus an opportunity to complete or take additional training and audition for life! We also (as should all the JRPs) fly in top agents, managers & casting directors - one each month - from LA & NY, as well as overseas. Each JRP tries to offer the same opportunity, and we all pay alot of money each and every time as these people charge high fees, plus expenses, etc. This is a privilege offered to each talent and model. If you are getting callbacks and enough serious interest that they are asking for a demo tape then you should be excited not discouraged. Less than 10% or our talent get callbacks and serious attention because the people that come into the JRPs are the top in the industry and won't show interest unless they are serious about you! You must have talent and learned something! Don't give up! Keep auditioning, and if need be, see about transferring to another JRP. This is a great company overall with great people!!
Break a leg!!
I want to respond to John - Colorado Springs, Colorado . If you are so concerned about the image of John Robert Powers, you should do something, why don't you talk to the offices that have been reported here and try to make a solution for all of these upset people. If you aren't able to do that please do not respond trying to meke John Robert Powers looks good.
I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience at John Robert Powers. Most professional actors understand that you have to have determination (and thick skin) to succeed in this industry and I hate to see you become so negative about the business after taking an acting class that didn't meet your expectations. Traveling 2 hours every weekend for classes at JRP shows you really care about acting.
As someone who has taught before, you being bored in class is a sign that you may not be challenged enough. I've been in numerous acting classes throughout my career and the mix of talent is always different. Sometimes I feel I'm the best actor in the room, and sometimes there are better actors than me.
Unfortunately, in landing the role, that doesn't always matter. Regardless, I always try to find the lesson in each performance and I always try to lift up those performers that haven't had a "breakthrough" yet. Did you really not learn anything, from anybody?
I don't know what was promised to you, so I can't say too much about that. I do believe that the auditions at JRP can lead to success. I also know from experience, as good as I might have been in an audition, and despite the positive feedback I may have recieved from the auditioner, sometimes auditions lead to nothing but experience under my belt.
I think managing expectations is important in this business. If you were promised all the things you mentioned, then why didn't you talk to someone at JRP about it? Being 17, you shouldn't have been allowed to sign anything without a parent or legal guardian present. Was someone there with you? What did they have to say?
I disagree that JRP needs to be shut down, I think the classes are great in educating young performers about acting and the business of acting, but I understand everyone's experience can be different. I don't understand what the comments regarding disorganization or zoo refers to? What was so disorganized, the classes? I would imagine any place with excited young performers moving from one class to another might seem immature to a 17 year old. Was that it? Have you ever been on a movie set? It's organized chaos.
I'm glad you're in college and continuing to educate yourself. (A theatre major, I hope!) Education in life is key, I firmly believe that. I understand venting here is your right, but I think you should have given JRP the chance to make things right if you're truly this dissatisfied. If you're not happy with your classes, talk to your teacher or director and discuss how to make the necessary changes so you can get what you want, need, and deserve. That goes for college too.
From one actor to another, I hope you stick with.
Respectfully,
Professional Actor