Icelandic Villain, Anyone?
In Iceland I had made a name for myself as an actor, but out here I was nobody—and rightfully so. There was, frankly, less than no demand in Hollywood for an Icelandic actor. More »

Dream Works
I knew deep down when I left that position to move to California and pursue my passion, it truly would be an arduous road. I just didn't realize how bumpy it would be. More »

'Brighton Beach' Bombs
Broadway is still reeling from the abrupt closing Sunday of the revival of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" after only nine performances. More »

Talk Back: What Actors Must Do!
Inspiration is when you can't stop working because an actor has crossed your path and shown you something that you have never seen before, that you never even knew existed. More »

You, Too, Can Prepare for the Agent Interview
Although it is impossible to predict which direction the conversation in an initial meeting with an agent will take, there are a few common areas that require preparation. More »

A Time for Peace
And now the healing can begin. The days of SAG leaders lobbing grenades at the other unions are, at least for the moment, over. More »

In Appreciation of the Actor
"When writing a play, I find it helpful to imagine specific actors in the roles." More »

Finding the Recess in Recession
Americans are now experiencing the ups and downs of a boom-bust economy that have always been the actors' lot, including the need to take part-time jobs outside their chosen profession. More »

My Agent Is a Bad Boyfriend
Agents. The bipolar living roller coasters of our delightful industry, who we love to love and love, love, love to hate. More »

Compassion: What's in It for Me?
If you're reading this, there's a good chance your career isn't exactly where you want it to be. What if I told you I had a surefire way for you to get the most extraordinary career possible? More »

Cast Off
In April, I tested for a series regular role on NBC's "100 Questions."  It was a small role with little interaction with the rest of the cast. More »

'Herm' Changed My Life
Every school has one. You know, that one unbearably cool teacher who managed to be accessible at the same time? Ert Jones-Hermerding was the coolest of all of them. More »

Reading Into It
I think you really hit upon several salient points regarding acting and the acting-career process—and in an easy-to-read, no-nonsense format. I would like to add one of my own insights. More »

Sickle at Heart
As a professional (union) actor, as well as a longtime reader of Back Stage (ever since it was Drama-Logue), I was so bothered by your July 16 essay, "Bukowski and Popsicles," that I was compelled to send this reply. More »

Letter from the Editor
Back Stage's staff is always trying to come up with fresh editorial concepts and, above all, present helpful, actionable information for actors and other performing artists. With that in mind, we present our first-ever List Issue, which, as the title suggests, is all things lists. More »

Tonys Nix Crix
Last week, the Tony Awards Management Committee announced that it had revoked the voting privileges of critics and journalists, including Back Stage's first-string critic, David Sheward. More »

Not Godot, Not Anyone!
Here I sit in an airplane waiting to leave Denver. All day I have been waiting. Waiting to leave LAX after a canceled morning flight. Waiting to leave Denver after a four-hour delay. More »

Here for You
The economic recession has taken a bite out of everyone’s wallets, but while the media’s attention has mostly focused on big companies’ losses, Back Stage fully understands that the economy affects the average consumer the most. More »

I Dropped a Decade! Wooohooooo!
So, last time I blogged I mentioned that I booked a gig. I know, that seems like forever ago. My awesome sister came to visit for the week, and I've been a bit distracted. More »

The Tony Takeaway
Art and commerce fought each other to a draw on the battlefield of Radio City Music Hall during the 2009 Tony Awards. More »

Act with Class, Please
Professional etiquette is critical for actors. It’s an essential component of hirability. Actors who don’t comport themselves professionally may find themselves unhirable no matter how talented and well-trained they are. More »

If You Have Tears to Shed: 'Death of a Salesman' 60 Years On
Some years back, my wife and I accompanied Arthur Miller to a performance of 'Death of a Salesman'. When we came out, her face was wet with tears. More »

Cover Letters
What do you have in your bag of marketing tricks? And how have these "tricks" served your pursuit? Unlike some insanely competitive actors I know, I like sharing my tricks, and I like learning new tricks. More »

Down the Garden Sociopath
I love character studies, the psychological profiling, piecing together what makes someone tick. More »

The New BackStage.com
This week marks the launch of Back Stage's newly redesigned website, which features improved navigation and functionality that, I hope you'll agree, is a significant upgrade. More »