WORKING actors.

I keep reading some of the thoughts expressed here concerning actors, and I wonder, “What planet are you people from?!?”

“Why doesn’t Eden do this?” “Why didn’t Euan do that?”

Do any of you have ANY idea how hard it is to get ANY kind of work in our current environment?

Go back and look through a list of Tony nominees for the last couple of decades. There are many names that will make you scratch your head and say, “WHO?” And those are TONY NOMINEES! Some of the people you talk about – incessantly – haven’t even registered on that radar yet!

Hell, go look at some Tony winners! Ms. Ziemba was more than happy, I’m sure, to come 3000 miles to take a part in an unknown project – because it was a JOB! What is all this conjecture of, “Why did they do that, why didn’t they do this?” Michael Arden, who is obviously a very talented young man, goes back-and-forth from coast-to-coast doing what he can to remain VISIBLE. What makes you think that ONE part – sometimes, just as a replacement – gets you a golden ticket?

I’m all for optimism - but really, some of you need to pull your heads out of . . . wherever . . . and deal with what EXISTS IN REALITY!

Amen!

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**gives DG a standing ovation**

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DG---I agree.

I think the delusion comes from people who aren't stepping back and looking at the larger picture.

In their minds, the world knows who Eden Espinoza is, and Young and Mazzie and Cerveris and Butz... because they think of them as a mega-stars. This is what is important to them, so they can't understand why the world doesn't honor and respect them the way they do.

Also... TV and film portrayals of "star" behavior don't help. You always see them turning down roles, throwing hair brushes at mirrors and storming off of the set or stage. The reality is that very few stars actually get away with behavior like that for any length of time, if at all.

So, yeah... basically, they're living in a fantasy world, when they make comments like that.

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Puh-LEAZE. Everybody knows Eden. I was in Germany and they knew Eden. It was wierd... they kept on saying 'They Garden Of...' before they said her name every time. I guess it's because she's as beautiful as a garden. And as talented to! That gurl got pipes!

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"I really need this job
Please, God, I need this job!
I've got to get this job!"

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lol caroline! that was laughable

"Why leave a hit?"

Delusional belief that said hit will breed similarly good opportunities?

Anyway...

I know a multi-Emmy award winning actress who, only a few years after winning her last Emmy, is considering returning to an administrative position at a law firm so that she doesn't have to live on a tight budget. No doubt there are also film stars who are debating leaving their homes for the humiliation of a day job or quietly growing broke.

Updated On: 10/16/06 at 10:55 PM

Wow, this site is making me second guess my carrer path

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It's a problem of looking at the world through the wrong lens. If you look at it through an "Eden Espinosa" lens, you'll see all the parts you think she was suited for and wonder why she didn't do them. Step back and look through the lens of that role and that show and you might get your reasons. Step back again and look through the lens of the New York theater scene, and the industry at large, and you may get an idea of how lucky Espinosa was to make it at all.

That said, speculative casting is fun. Just don't get all entitled about it.

The thing with being in this business that is tremendous is that everyone gets to define their own version of success. I am an actor in NYC and believe me, there are PLENTY of actors who make their living from acting. People forget that there are tons of regional theatres from all over the country that do their casting out of NYC. Now, this may not be the Broadway success that some look for, but to the trained actor who has mastered and enjoyed his craft, it is Broadway to him.
For me, just living, training, performing, and SURVIVING in NYC is a success. How many people have the dream, but not the balls to even try such a daunting thing. I dont care what anyone says...if you are talented you will work. It takes time persistence, and drive. I didnt mind waiting an occasional table, when there was always a class to go to, to remind me of the prize. You may not be on Broadway, but you will work off,off-off,regionally,stock,voiceovers,etc. Anyone who gets into this business to be rich and famous is chasing their tale. But the actor who enters, and understands the meaning of technique and training, and holds a true passion for the art form will be rewarded beyond his wildest dreams. Perhaps even befores they land their first part. Always remember that a true actor acts, not because he wants to, but because he HAS to.

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DG,You know its funny you mention loneliness and grounding. I entered acting, probably from the whole Freudian idea of escape. I like escape in my work and in life. The idea of grounding left me when I decided to stop acting and work in a cubicle for a year and pursue a "normal" life years back.That was the point that I realized that I could not NOT act for the rest of my life. The cubicle almost caused me to put arsenic in my chamomile. Lol. I actually like traveling and yes, being alone at times. So the lifestyle to some extent suits me. Having someone else to share my life with, and who I know is there for me is comfort to me, too,regadless of where the hat may temporarily hang.

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From the time I can remember, I always believed I had to perform - that I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I HAD to do it.

But I didn't. And survived. Sure, it would be the ideal, but it didn't happen, and many other people have grown into the same kind of realization and are perfectly content. It's funny to me when a young person says they HAVE to perform - because I've seen only one person on a stage who I believe that about - one person who I believe really could not have done anything else - and that's Patti LuPone.

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