The truth is, one of the most important skills for the young actor and probably for any actor is the ability to prepare, invest completely for a few minutes, and then let it all go. The last part, moving on and letting go, is probably the hardest for me. It's especially hard when you feel really connected and alive in the audition, or when you've developed a relationship with the material while preparing. I'm trying to teach myself to accept my best effort as a successful audition experience rather than constantly gauging my success on bookings.
The last few weeks have been pretty slow, but I recently found out I booked a supporting role in a John Sayles film that will shoot later this summer. And there's a play I'm really excited about possibly doing in the summer. But I'm hesitant to say too much before I know it's certainly going to happen. After next week I should have a better idea of what my summer's going to look like. Auditions! Auditions! Auditions!
I dare to say I actually feel like a working actor now. It's been two years exactly since I graduated with my MFA from USC. Every time I work now, I know that it's not the last time and that the next job is coming (even if it takes a few weeks to get here).
Yesterday I had dinner with an actor friend and fellow USC alum. We spent the evening catching up on what's happening in each other's lives and shared our aspirations in the business. (Yeah, I know, it's very Hollywood of us to be talking about acting in the middle of a NoHo pizzeria). Our conversation reminded me that no two actors have the same journey. If I've learned nothing else, I know who I am and what I want is at the core of moving forward as an artist. And the best thing I can do when coming into the enigmatic audition is to simply do my work and trust that bringing myself into the room is enough. I have to know and trust that I am enough.
