What DON’T Actors Know?

Or, more to the point, what do actors think they know that they, perhaps, don’t? We asked a variety of people who represent training institutions what they think actors need to think about in their careers.

Rachael Patterson
Acting Studio Chicago

Actors who have completed a BA, BFA or equivalent, often think they don’t have a lot to learn, when in fact their journey as an artist is just beginning. Until they hit a roadblock they may not think they need to continue, and to augment, their training with strong business/marketing skills. Beginning actors think with a couple of classes, a headshot and meeting the “right people” they can get agent representation, begin auditioning and start booking work. They don’t grasp the importance of training and that an artist’s craft grows and deepens with time and experience. They also need to put their training into practice by doing theatre or improv and working their craft every day.

Steve Merle
Act One Studios

Most actors think they know how much work it takes to be successful. I often say that actors are, by far, the laziest of all artists. When you think of how other artists work on their craft— dancers dance every day, writers write, musicians play their instruments every day. And what do actors do? They go to the bar and complain that they’re not getting any work. I urge actors to create their daily acting workout routine. Work your monologues—look for new ones. Work your cold reading skills. Do your marketing. Read the reviews. See theatre. Do theatre!

Brian Loevner|
Chicago Dramatists

Having the honor to work with large numbers of actors in our reading series, in addition to our production casts, I have found that most actors know as much, if not more, than most other artists in the process. Most working actors understand the production and marketing processes really well, and their suggestions, connections and hard work are often the key to success. Sometimes you might find a younger actor who might pine for the security of large university production. (What do you mean I get dressed in the hallway?). But many Chicago actors also play the role of director, producer, designer, carpenter or stage manager, so they get it.

Sean Bradley
The Green Room

Actors actually know more than they think they do, especially when it comes to being “real” on camera. Often, what is real and true for the actor is simply too much. Unfortunately, actors develop a sense of what “feels” real. In real life, it doesn’t “feel” like ANYTHING. So, if you’re acting and it “feels real,” you’ve got too much going on (namely the whole “feeling” part). Actors don’t realize that they are dealing with a stylistic approach, rather than simply being honest and in the moment. The actor has to do next to nothing in order to let the subtle (or ridiculous) writing come through effectively.

Caroline Kearns
Piven Theatre Workshop

Patience. The best word of advice I ever heard was if you want to be a great actor, get ready to work at your craft for at least 20 years, and then, with a little luck, you may achieve greatness. Some actors know this, and they are patient with things they cannot control: they ride through the bumpy auditions and bad experiences because they know it’s a lifelong endeavor. But a lot of actors believe patience is auditioning for three years to see if they can “make it,” and I think these actors, myself included at times, have a lot to learn about patience (and greatness).

Dexter Bullard
Plasticene

Actors think they are “being judged” when auditioning. They think if casting doesn’t go to them, that they could have “done something different.” There is NO way to predict casting or rig auditioning—on either side of the table. The best strategy for actors is to be fully engaged in the work at hand and honest. Directors are looking for the best match with a dizzying myriad of factors in a city full of fantastic actors. It actually IS a very tough job with painful decisions—and you need to know that’s not just a platitude covering the judgment that you aren’t good enough.

Julie Amsterdam
TVI Actors Studio

I find that many actors think if they take one class or have completed a college degree in theatre, they are done studying. Once actors have an agent, they celebrate their success and wait for the auditions to start coming in. Actors need to realize that being an actor is a full time job, even when an actor is not being paid to work. Actors need to be in charge of their careers. Taking classes, attending live theatre, studying films, networking, auditioning at open calls, seeking auditions, reading trade papers and magazines, and following up with casting directors are essential to becoming a working, successful actor. A strong set of special skills will give actors the edge over their competition, and a healthy lifestyle will help keep actors focused.

Carole Dibo
Wilmette Theatre

I will speak to the young actor. Young actors think they know what “success” is. They often think success is being famous. When I ask young actors, “Why do you want to be an actor” and they answer, “Because I want to be famous,” then I know that they don’t know what success is to a real actor. Success is doing what you love, success is doing what you do because you can’t do anything else. Success is being given the opportunity to do what you love over and over.