How Do You Survive the Decade Ahead...

By
Marcia Gay Harden and Thaddues Scheel

 Your career is a dot-to-dot picture.
Every connection you make, every piece of information you learn, every person you meet, every play or movie you see, every conversation, every audition, every article you read are all dots. Each one, alone, is simply a dot, seemingly insignificant. But as you gather more dots along your travels and they multiply with every experience you have, one day you will wake up and all the dots that once seemed so complicated and confusing and chaotic will all string together in a glorious and magnificent way, and finally after all of that a picture will emerge and that, my friend, will be your career.

Ask yourself how badly you want it. How hard are you willing to fight, and at what cost?  You must.... work and work and work harder....

 It¹s great that you are in this training program. You will get a wonderful education, and are no doubt a very talented artist...

 

They Don¹t Call It Show Art?
And that¹s what I¹m here to talk to you about. The Business part of it. The other half. The half that I¹ve had the misfortune of knowing all too much about. If you don¹t know the Business part, you¹ll never get to do the Art part, and that¹s what we all do, isn¹t it? Knowing the business and how to survive in it is...necessary....
 
I know most of you are concerned about getting an agent or a manager. I know you all want to get a job the minute you walk out of these hallowed halls. But the reality of it all is often disappointing to young actors and directors, and while I can¹t get you an agent or a job, I can suggest a few easy things that you can do while you get your armor shined and ready for battle. The following suggestions are simple and doable and will help you get control of your own career. They may seem pedestrian to you. You may be puzzled by their simplicity, but trust me after you¹ve graduated from school and have met with the odds, you just might go back to your bookshelf, dust off that old note pad, and give it a whirl.

25 Simple Things You Can Do for a Happier
and Healthier Life In the Theatre


There are several components that make up a career. Education. Talent. Connections.... Enthusiasm. Drive. Entitlement. Fearlessness. Information. Being in the right place at the right time. For some strange reason we tend to put most of our faith in the thing we have the least control over: "luck." How many times have you heard, "I know it¹s going to happen for me," .... Yet we continue to place all of eggs in the "luck" basket. Why? Because the alternative is hard work. Instead of putting all your energy into something you have no control over, why not put your energy into the things you have complete control of? Someone can tell you that you can¹t act on that stage, but no one can tell you that you can¹t read that magazine, study with that teacher, produce that showcase. No one can tell you that you can¹t. So let¹s focus on what you can do! It¹s all about control. And you want it! So take it! The first and foremost way to be in control is. . .

1. Make an appointment every day at 10 a.m.‹Do not sleep away the summer. Attack your life. Get up! Get out! Get going!

2. See at least one play or movie a week.‹I cannot take you seriously as an actor/director/designer if you are not seeing plays and movies and devouring the information. If you can¹t afford it, then usher, or rent old videos. Talk about it, discuss it, taste it. It should not be a chore to see a play. It is your research, your laboratory. Embrace it.

3. Do one thing a day that is theatre related.‹This helps you keep your focus and keeps you on the path to realizing your goal.

4. Be informed.‹Read the New York Times Arts and Leisure section, Theatre World, Backstage, Variety, The Reporter, Entertainment Weekly. Know what each theatre is planning for their season. Write directly to the theatres to get auditions. No one can stop you. Do not wait until you get an agent. Just do it!

5. Make your home your haven.‹ It¹s a cruel world out there. It is important to have a place where you feel safe. If you are not happy in your living situation, change it. It¹s that simple.

6. Become ....organized... Have stationary handy, envelopes, office supplies, and stamps. When you go to the post office to buy stamps to pay for those bills that are already late, buy a book of stamps. You cannot send a letter of you don¹t have a stamp. Write letters to agents, directors, writers, etc. Be a grownup and follow through.

7. Call your friends and keep in touch.‹Your peers are your best contacts. Cultivate your friendships. Help your friends out. Someday you will reap what you sow.

8. Become friends with writers, directors, producers.‹Do student films. Those little filmmakers will grow up to be big filmmakers one day.

9. Go back to your alma mater.‹See the shows, show your face, hold your head up high. Graciousness is always remembered. Call alumni and ask questions. Never be afraid to ask questions. If you are embarrassed or above it, you will surely regret it. The more grounded you are, the more questions you¹ll ask. Any questions? Just kidding.

10. Remember openings.‹Trust me you¹ll want others to remember yours.

11. Do as many readings as you can. These readings often get fully produced and guess who they can¹t get out of their head?

12. Be a reader.‹It¹s a good way to see what a good audition looks like. Also a good way to spend time with directors and casting directors.

13. ...Be social....Know people¹s names. Engage in the conversation. Your ideas and input are valuable. Be a part of the community, volunteer to help out. Get people¹s numbers. Call them and invite them to the theatre.

14. Be yourself in interviews.‹ Don¹t be jerk when you meet agents, and casting people. Stay calm. You are an interesting person. You are allowed to talk about other things than the theatre‹for example, politics, family, charity, hobbies, etc. They talk about the business day and night. Tell them what¹s interesting and unique about you! That is more likely to make a lasting impression. And don¹t be overly nice....just be yourself!

15. Do not be ashamed that you want to act.‹Shame can be a debilitating force. For some reason that I can¹t quite comprehend actors only feel worthwhile when they¹re acting. This is not a healthy way to live your life. Actors are the messengers of great knowledge; when we aren¹t acting we are gathering information. We are the vessels through which great writers speak, great directors teach. Be proud that you are an actor. You are a warrior and are making a great contribution to the world.

16. Have other interests.‹ If you take theatre out of your life, what do you have left? It is important to explore other avenues that bring you joy. You will not always be able to act. Think about it what else brings you happiness? Besides theatre, what makes you feel good, productive, happy? You must spend some time thinking about this before you go out and face the professional world. Now you are in a sheltered environment and have the luxury to think about it. When you get out of school you will be smack dab in the middle of building your career, and you better have a plan.

17. Don¹t just wait tables because you think it¹s all you can do.Be creative... Be a personal assistant. Walk dogs. Learn the computer. Start your own business (e.g. cleaning, painting, moving, carpentry). There are other alternatives. Be sure to keep your dignity intact.

18. Produce your own show.Anyone can do it. Anyone! But don¹t just produce something for the sake of it. Be in love with the material. Be passionate about it. There are many independent theaters in New York that do co-productions that is, you bring in the show, they give you the free space, and you both split the door: Home for Contemporary Theatre and Art, Nada, Tiny Mythic, Surf Reality, Dixon Place, P.S. 122, among countless others.

19. Make it happen.Don¹t just jump on someone else¹s bandwagon. Get a hammer and start building one yourself. Let other people hop on your yours.

20. Be proactive.Do not talk about things that you are going to do, only talk about it once you¹ve done it. You dissipate your energy by talking about it. Save up all your desire, your longing, your aching, your passion and spend it wisely toward your goal.

21. Be in control.Take back your power. You all have the power to transform the quality of your lives. Really!

22. Have courage.No one is going to come knocking on your door, you must go out and knock on theirs. ... Only those with the ferocious desire to get through the door will ever cross the threshold.

23. Be honest with yourself.Ask yourself what it is that you truly want. Your dream, your fantasy. If you can visualize it, you are closer to obtaining it. Do not be ashamed of your dream. If you want to be a movie star, then own it. Don¹t pretend you want to devote your life to Chekov and Ibsen and only play the regions. Say it out loud: "I want to be a movie star." Once you¹ve articulated your goal you can map out a path for your journey.

24. The power of No!Try not to compromise your creative integrity. There is power in saying no. The more you say no, the more they want you. I¹ll put money on it!

25. Be brave.Or at least pretend. The person with the most confidence wins! The people who are hiring you, especially in television and film, are scared to hire the wrong person or they may lose their job. The last thing they want to see is a nervous actor who is shaken by the audition process. You must fool them and make them believe you are in complete control and complete command of your fabulous life. That is the biggest acting exercise of all.

Remember: Be gracious. Say nice things about your colleagues and friends....
 

Contact Dr. Howard     

Professional Resume | Professional Vitae | Performance Resume | Prof. Network
Perform./Comm. Curricula | Perf. St. Syllabi  | Public Speaking/Presenting | Professional Projects
Professional Communication Guidelines | Prof. Role Modeling | Publications/Presentations
Performances of Autobio. & Lit.  | Professional Programs|  Productions  
Performance Studies Students/Alum/Assoc. | Photos/Video/Audio | Home