The Valuable Actor

Do you know your value?  Do you truly understand the value of your gifts and talents?   As actors we are constantly faced with rejection.   In this industry you will receive many more no’s than yes’s. In this case what do you do? How do you stay inspired?   The answer is simple, “Know your worth!”.  Just because you are rejected your value doesn’t change.   You must continue to push forward until you reach your goals and dreams.

           

Many times I find myself questioning my value.  I constantly ask myself, am I as good as I think I am?  Am I as good as my friends that I am?  I have been on this journey pursuing acting full time for three long years.  Has this pursuit been easy? Definitely nor, but it has definitely taught me many life lessons. 

·      1. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.

·     2. If you stop at one failure you will never know if success was next

·     3. Sometime to get what you want, you have to step out of your comfort zone.

·      4.When faced with rejection, know that other opportunities will come.

·      5.You will never taste successful, if you keep chewing on my failures.

To my fellow actors, keep pushing.  Your day will come. Then the question becomes “Are you prepared?”  In listening to casting director Twinkie Byrd.   She said she loves giving actors opportunities, but when given the opportunity she expects you to be prepared.   So I would say as you continue to pursue acting, continue to prepare. Preparation is key.   Even though, you do not land all your auditions continue to prepare and hone your gifts, you never know when your golden opportunity will come.   Most importantly know your worth.  Know that though you may not get a role, it does not speak to value of your talents.  Your worth never changes. 

Pursuing your Passion

How much are you willing to endure to pursue your passion and achieve your goals.   Each day as actors we are bombarded with many naysayers who believe we should quit and get “a real job”.    In their mind we are in pursuit of a childhood fantasy, and they never stop to realize that the actors they see in their favorite movies, were once in our shoes.   So the question becomes how important is it to you, and what are you will to endure to reach your goal?

This became a reality to me recently as I wanted to just walk away.    No one enjoys struggling.   Not knowing when your day is coming is not an easy pill to swallow.  But I realized that if I quit, I give others the victory.  Quitting for me is not an option.  As I began to reaffirm to myself that my day will come, I was invited to attend the OmegaKayne Intensive Acting Class.  This is where reality sat in for me.  Through this class I realized how bad I really wanted to be an actor.

This class for me was a game changer.   My mental definitely met my physical.  It was nothing like I had every experienced.    As we recited our material in the assigned dialect, our bodies were pushed to the limit.  The monologues were life-changing affirmations.    I began to understand that wanting it was not enough, but I had to be bold and go get it.   Act like I deserve the opportunity more than the next person.   It is about leaving an impression.

I was in search of someone who was going to stretch me, who was going to be brutally honest with me and push me beyond my limits. This class is where I found it. I would suggest this class for any actor who is serious about their craft. You must definitely be willing to be challenged.   If you are not ready to be told the truth then this is not for you. 


My Advice:
1. Seek out a class where you will be challenge.   
2. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and will push you to be your best.  
3. Embrace the idea that "Quitters Never Win". 


If you are an Atlanta actor and would like more information on OmegaKayne's class email inquiries to omegakayneintensive@gmail.com 



Me reciting I AM in a South African Dialect 




Jenna Fischer’s Advice To Actors