AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ARTIST-Bobby Steggert

[JBC3]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 2:18pm

Interesting essay.  I did not realize he had given up acting.
 

Updated On: 7/10/18 at 02:18 PM

[newintown]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 2:24pm

Nor did I, but what a terrific life choice for him to make. I admire that. (Although I would have suggested more strenuous editing of the writing, perhaps... for instance - "bear my soul?"

Update - this piece hints that he hasn't turned his back entirely on acting: https://www.playbill.com/article/marin-ireland-michael-r-jackson-jo-lampert-more-headed-to-oneill-theater-centers-summer-2018-conferences

Updated On: 7/10/18 at 02:24 PM

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 7/10/18 at 4:15pm

Yes, there's also a line in the Medium editorial where he says "if I ever return to acting," implying that he hasn't ruled it out.

Anyway, this piece itself strikes at the very heart of my own insecurities. I want to make a meaningful difference, as do many people, and being creative is the way I think I'd do it best. But I don't want to feel guilty (not that Steggert intended this) about knowing my limits in that regard. I'm just one person, on the autism spectrum, surrounded by volatile people who can't share differing viewpoints without triggering a screaming match.

If my craft is the only place I can comfortably perform "civic work," so be it. Believe me, I wish I could be bolder, but I also need to look out for my own sanity. Hope this all makes sense.

[newintown]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:25am

There was a time when a Steggert-oriented thread here would have had a thousand responses; I suppose those days are past.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:31am

I'm not sure what to say about this.   I don't think most actors go into it "to change the world".   He just sounds like someone that found Jesus.  (Obviously, he says nothing religious here.)   

 

Maybe I didn't get it, but it just  sounded a little off center to me.  And preachy.  

 

(And I, loved Steggert's work)

[LarryD2]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:32am

Maybe I didn't get it, but it just  sounded a little off center to me.  And preachy.  

Bobby has always struck me as someone who's, to put it kindly, self-important.

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 8:45am

Agree. I have never enjoyed him onstage as you can see his process the whole time. You can see him working instead of just being. And like karen olivio who retired ...how many times? If someone gave mr steggert a leading role on broadway or tv show or movie, I would venture to say he would come back in a heartbeat.

He 'retired' because he couldn't find sustainable work or work that would pay him enough. He never 'made it' in the/film and he was never a broadway leading man.

I find these blogs (especially this one) him wanting to feel that his words are important and people listen. I don't remember the thousands of other actors who 'retire' because they cannot find work anymore writing blogs to say why they 'became a investment banker' or 'lawyer' or anything because they just did it and went on with their lives.
This seems so masterbatory to me...just like his acting. So I guess it all makes sense.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 9:02am

So what’s he been doing for 2 years?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 9:10am

Getting his Master's Degree in social work.  (Which is  states early in his blog.)

[Popular]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 9:45am

He will have to work very hard to find the control, stability, and balance he seeks in populations and broken systems that often have none. As an MSW I welcome him to the profession and hope it fulfills him. If I can offer two words of unsolicited advice - SELF CARE!

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:02am

He built quite a fan base for someone who starred in two flops and was featured in two revivals. Combining leading man looks with character actor training is tough as there are only so many roles for that type. I think he could have made a fun Bud Frump or possibly Molina. 

EDIT: Or if the show had found legs maybe the title role in "Spongebob?"

Updated On: 7/11/18 at 10:02 AM

[Valentina3]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:04am

Popular, at least your unsolicited advice was a loving and embracing one. Sometimes the vileness on this thread makes me really sad for where the community is (not just theater-lovers, but everyone). This person wrote an essay baring his soul about his several insecurities, and all you do is **** on him and his work? If you didn't like his work - keep it to yourself at least in the context of this conversation. This is why we can't have nice things.

[newintown]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:17am

It seems to me that "we can't have nice things" because of those few sunshine and lollipops posters who go into a violent rage whenever any negative criticism is made, and who only seem to want a stream of non-stop fan-kid gushing, rather than adult dialectic addressing both the positive and the negative.

But that's just my perception.

Updated On: 7/11/18 at 10:17 AM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:21am

Popular said: "He will have to work very hard to find the control, stability, and balance he seeks in populations and broken systems that often have none. As an MSW I welcome him to the profession and hope it fulfills him. If I can offer two words of unsolicited advice - SELF CARE!"

You beat me to it! He also will find it difficult to take paying one-off gigs, since he would need to make disclosures to and receive approval from his (presumably) government employer.

[John Adams]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:44am

newintown said: "...I would have suggested more strenuous editing of the writing, perhaps... for instance - "bear my soul?""

I dunno... Taking everything he wrote into consideration, perhaps that was not a typo. 

I can identify with some of his thoughts, though. The trajectory and experiences of his acting career are very similar to what mine were a few decades ago, although his level of achievements were sustained in a more recognizably prestigious geographical location - NYC, as opposed to Chicago.

I can also identify with idealism regarding wanting to "make a difference that felt more practical, or somehow quantifiable". Early on in my worklife, I felt I needed to make a choice between acting full-time, or teaching elementary/middle school full-time. Both (at the time) were careers that I was equally passionate about, and (again, at the time) equally successful. Both equally fulfilling, but for different reasons.

I differ from him in that I did not have enough confidence in my own talents to believe that I was as talented as the actors I was working with; quite a few of whom are now "stars" on Broadway and television. I chose the "more practical" career.

I have no regrets. I mean, c'mon -- I facilitated the growth of many young people in the skills of Reading, Mathematics, Critical Thinking, AND the Arts.  Personally, my cup runneth over.

I also connect with his thoughts regarding incorporating "freedom of expression into daily life". I relate to that in the sense that my acting 'talent' was never absent from my teaching career. ...and I was still able to book professional acting/performing (singing in particular) gigs while teaching full-time - just not on the scale of those who truly committed themselves to the acting profession.

I have to admit that I find a lot of what he wrote to be a bit on the melodramatic side - i.e., as pointed out above, has he really "turned his back" on an acting career? It doesn't seem so.

I hope he will make a mature decision regarding which career takes precedence. When you choose to pursue a service profession like social work (or teaching for that matter, as I did), you also choose to make a commitment to those you serve - a commitment that you WILL  be there to serve THEIR needs. It would be a big disservice to those in need if there were any occasion where an acting job suddenly took precedence over the needs of his clients in social work...

Just something to consider, Mr. Steggert 

 

 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:56am

Steggert was ''self-important''? Not nearly as ''self-important'' as the armchair critics who dismiss and pass judgment on his acclaimed career and sincerity in selflessly praising and supporting his fellow performers. For nearly two decades, he was a working actor, doing Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theater across America, soap opera, film, etc. Steggert played opposite the likes of Audra McDonald, Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Burton, Tyne Daly, etc., and had the versatility and skill to receive rave reviews whether he was appearing in revivals of ''Ragtime'' and ''110 in the Shade,'' or creating original characters in musicals (''Yank!'' ) or plays (''Mothers and Sons'' ). Of course, acting is one of the toughest professions, and few become superstars, but by any measure, Steggert achieved a career that many would give their eyeteeth for.

I've interviewed hundreds of actors in my career, and I can say that Steggert was one of the LEAST ''self-important'' ones I've ever known. I'll remember the many wonderful performances he gave us. And though I wish him much self-fullfillment, happiness and success in social work, I hold out the hope that he'll return to the stage someday because he was so terrifically gifted in that venue. 

Updated On: 7/11/18 at 10:56 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 10:57am

I’ve usually liked Steggert onstage; his Mother’s Younger Brother was superb (You’ve traveled everywhere and learned NOTHING!) and I enjoyed his off-broadway play Boy a lot too. Both were very socially-conscious roles, so I would like to think he got some fulfillment playing them. (Big Fish, not so much!)

The statement that stuck out to me, and one I completely disagree with, is that we can no longer celebrate art for art’s sake. Why not? We can no longer celebrate a flawlessly sung coloratura aria or some folk art in a National Gallery? Does he not even think we should celebrate Company and Follies for their own sakes, because please.

His heart seems to be in the right place, but I wasn’t on board with everything he wrote.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:10am

Good for him, but he's not exactly the first actor to do this sort of thing.

At least 50% of actors leave the business by the time they are 30 - even those who have done well for themselves. It's true. Most of it amounts to not being able to handle the lifestyle (i.e. being poor despite working constantly, always traveling, no structure or stability). And of course many women take a "sabbatical" to have a baby and then never come back.

It is not uncommon that when an actor leaves the business, they try to "give back" to the world in some sort of way, since being an actor is, by nature, pretty much the most selfish profession there is. Even if you want to "change the world" with your art, you're not going to get a lot of opportunities to do that, and most of your time will be spent putting yourself and your career first in order to get whatever jobs you can get.

That said, having spent some time in the field Steggart is trying to go into, I can say that he needs to be prepared to once again have to hustle for jobs that pay very little money and which he will likely often find frustrating and unsatisfying. Just like with acting, many, many people go into social work with high hopes and end up disappointed. Despite having an MFA in Acting, several years ago I looked into getting a second masters degree in counseling, and ultimately decided not to when I realized the reality of what I would likely get out of it.

For what it's worth, I'm now a high school and middle school drama teacher while also working consistently as an actor on the side. Many actors also teach, and it is very fulfilling (and I have a house and a car now!).

[newintown]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:22am

"At least 50% of actors leave the business by the time they are 30..."

I would imagine that number is much, much higher.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:36am

Yeah, it probably is. I'm 35, and having two theatre degrees from two different schools, I know a lot of other people with theatre degrees, so it would be more accurate to say "50% of people who majored in theatre/acting." If you include randos who move to L.A. right out of high school with stars in their eyes and little to no training, it's probably like 80%.

[temms]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:44am

There is no shame in leaving the business and it’s not always due to ‘failure’. I’ve been lucky enough to be working in the industry for over twenty years now (not as an actor) and I’ve known many, many people who have left to pursue other endeavors, often after having a lot of success.

It’s a cliche but this is a hard, hard, soul-sucking business and you truly need to be in a position where you can’t see yourself doing anything else, as is my case. Lots of talented people come, have some success, feel they’ve accomplished what they’ve wanted and go on to the next phase in their life taking the knowledge and experience they’ve gained as performers into their next endeavors. Even I find myself craving normalcy every now and then, but it would kill my soul to not at least be striving. Not everyone feels that way and frankly, it’s probably healthier.

A writer friend once quipped “Every time someone decides they don’t want to be an actor, an angel gets its wings.” I have such great respect for people who stick it out, especially when they don’t have Tonys and huge things on their resume. And I have just as much respect for people who do it for a while and then move on. It’s a hard decision to make and mocking people as failures when they do is exceedingly small-minded, especially for people purporting to be fans of the industry and actors.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:56am

Absolutely. Many people who leave the business have done well for themselves, but just don't want to do it anymore. However, it's important keep in mind that if we're talking about stage actors, even if you work 50 weeks out of the year, unless it's in a Broadway show you are likely making $20K - $25K annually. Even actors who have "made it" are usually relatively poor, and many do not want to live their entire lives that way, especially if they want to have families.

[dexter3]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 11:59am

Wow there's a lot of bitchy-ness towards Bobby on this thread. I have never met him and have no strong feelings on his career, but jeeze, let's let the man make this change. Being in the arts myself, sometimes our career becomes too large a part of our identity and it takes time away or a full career shift to get perspective. He seems to be wanting to make himself a better person and make a stronger, clearer difference in his life and the lives of others, and wanted to write a post about it to (I'm going out on a limb here) help others that may be struggling with similar issues. So of course...lets anonymously say catty and nasty things about him on a message board? Maybe we should make OURSELVES better before we criticize someone who made a big, big positive change in his own life. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 12:08pm

I'm shocked at the negativity towards this article. Mr. Steggert is not saying "acting is trash jesus rah rah rah." Hes giving people who might be discouraged from constant auditioning with no callbacks heartfelt advice.

I had a conversation with a well known stage actor whose musical had just closed. Was shocked when he said "Just want to move out of my 1 BR apt." This isnt an ensemble or swing. Hes been nominated for a **** ton of awards. I'm not going to judge anyone who stays in the profession or anyone who leaves.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/11/18 at 12:50pm

Steggert is an incredibly intelligent and empathetic guy (and very approachable and down to earth- not self-important at all), and I think he is very candid in this essay about both the greater social reasons he has for turning away from acting as well as his own personal reasons. He's also not a fool and he's not a kid. He knows what he's getting into by shifting his career to social work.

I also don't think that participating in a staged reading at the O'Neill particularly negates his claim to be turning his back, professionally, on theatre. Changing his career doesn't rule out short, informal gigs like that. I'd be surprised if he doesn't pop up in concerts here and there.

Updated On: 7/11/18 at 12:50 PM