Healthy Competition

Do you often see friends at auditions? Yesterday, I was auditioning for a hilarious spot that required a talented Shakespearean actress. Of course I'm going to see some friends there!!! After all, how many of us play Shakespeare in Los Angeles?

This started me thinking about healthy competition. I've never been one who feels that I need to knock off all of my competition to get ahead. That competition helps me refine my craft. These people are often my friends who I will work with again, enjoy, and admire.

So many artists are great. Each artist embodies special talents or traits (ideally enhanced by training). Each gig is going to require something special; the casting director is hired to match actors' unique gifts to the roles. Since I can't begin to guess what they think they're looking for, I simply do my best.

After the audition, I give myself the walk from the casting director's office to my car to beat myself up about what I might have done differently - and then I let it go. If I just can't seem to let it go for whatever reason, I do some sort of ritual to let it go like have a fire in my fire pit and write the word "anxiety" on a paper and burn it. Or take a shower and imagine the water is washing away the event. Okay, I like dramatic gestures.

Auditioning is part of the business. If I mulled over every audition for days, I'd soon loose my mind. If you find yourself doing that, try to audition more so you don't attach so much weight to each audition. Let the inevitable competition inspire you to rise to the occasion.

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

NO is a Great Word

So many actors - and people - think they have no power. Not true!

The only power we often have is the ability to say "no." When we get an offer for a role and we don't think it's enough money, we can say "no." When we are asked to scab, we can say "no." When we are given a script that looks vastly different than the one we agreed to (provided it's in the contract) we can say "no."

The bottom line is you are going to asked to do things you are not comfortable with doing. Your job is to figure out where your line in the sand is and avoid crossing it.

Hear and use the existential advice Polonius gives in Shakespeare's HAMLET, "To thine own self be true."

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

Myths About Actors

1. Actors cannot have a family and success as an actor.

Though the pressures of traveling, regional theatre, always looking for the next job, and self-esteem can put pressure on a relationship and family, countless actors you've never heard of enjoy the stability and love of creating a family. Actors have always had to think outside the box to succeed; enjoying a family is no different.

2. Actors need to be unstable to be really talented.

On the contrary, more actors get fired due to irresponsible behavior, including stars. Having or exacerbating a mental illness will not insure a stable acting process, it will make an actor a time-bomb of misery. Actors are sensitive and aware of their emotions and how to access those emotions. To enjoy life, an actor needs to tend to her wellness so she can be resiliant and dependable on set - and off.

Do you have some myths to add? Let me hear about them!!!

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin