The Working Actor

Referral Riddle, Contact Conundrum

The director and I got along really well. I could tell he was sincere when he said, "If you ever need a referral, let me know." How do I use this offer to my advantage?

Art vs. Commerce, Critical of Critics

"I've gotten my first bad review. It stung a little, but the pain has subsided now because I know that I am a good actress, and my director, my fellow actors, and the audience were happy."

More Perfect Union, Bard Games

I recently finished a leading role in a national tour of a classic Shakespeare play, which I got rave reviews for. There was one problem: my castmates.

Swinging Lessons

I recently landed a role as a swing at the only Equity theater in town.  I overlooked the notes about the swings also doing stage crew work.

Scar Scare, Card Concern, Director Distress

I don't go to many auditions is because I had an accident when I was little. I'm self-conscious about these scars, and I'm really scared I'll be rejected for jobs because of them.

Playing Doctor, Preying Agent

Most of my acting credits are in Equity-waiver theater from about seven years ago, and I'm not a member of the Screen Actors Guild. I took time off to go to nursing school, finished school, and am currently working as a registered nurse, but I want to get back ...

Extra Benefits

A certain casting office hired me for three days. They fitted me in a period costume and wanted my hair to be all one color; I had to be shorter than 5 feet 5 inches and of white European descent.

School Rumination, Get the Picture

I see people my age on TV and in films and wonder if that could be me if I were in New York or L.A. Might it be more advantageous for me to get closer to the centers of the industry?

Stop Signs, Early Checkout

I believe acting is a calling. If it's your calling, then you've simply got to do it. If you haven't yet found the person who sees your gifts and wants to cast you, that's fine. It doesn't matter. Keep learning. Keep offering your talents.

Dialoguing Down Memory Lane

Working Actor columnists Jackie Apodaca and Michael Kostroff chat about ink-stained good times gone by.