Photo taken, December, 2017, by Rehearsal Club alum, Francine Mancini, during ON AIR/On Stage, Articulate Theatre’s 1st annual holiday-themed radio play production at TADA Theater, NYC.
As we move into the new year, the wave of holiday energy pushes all of us to assess where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished — or not — and set our intentions for the changes we might want to make in 2018.
Actors on the verge of throwing in the towel are constantly encouraged by experts to “stay the course.” As Paul Davis, Casting Director at Calleri Casting said back in 2015, “slow and steady wins the race; that combination of persistence and patience.” Uh huh. That be me for the past decade — ever since I was laid off from the law firm in 2008 to be exact. However, I totally expected more solid results in my targeted “theatrical” plan by now. After all, wasn’t I picked up for Broadway from an open call within 2 weeks when I first came to New York? Didn’t I audition for and land my first on-camera audition for soaps, resulting in another decade of national recognition? Hello?
Just Lucky? The key as I — & Oprah — see it? “Preparation meeting opportunity. But then staying the course without getting the opportunity? Support, support, support from a circle of trusted friends.
Being prepared to walk thru the door, ace the audition and then being ready to adapt to the new world around me, was essential. In both my previous examples, I can point immediately to which friends gratefully and generously helped put me on the path that literally changed my life forever (I pray I/we’ve done the same for others along the way). Bottom line: I still had to deliver in the room. But “friends” definitely helped me secure the opportunity. Whether it was reference to an agent; or coaching me on the callback — you know who you are and I’m forever grateful.
In the meantime, we continue to work toward our vision without judgment and in faith. But, the world keeps changing! And it’s moving so fast — how in the world do any of us keep up?
“Social Media is the New Black” as Amy Jo Berman, Casting Coach, has coined and Branding is Key. What is Branding exactly? Casting type? No. A “brand” is bigger than just a type and your brand’s PURPOSE is even more important to know and be able to communicate to the outside world. Looking back on “life choices” might sometimes help decipher purpose. First fork in the road came from the Ford “modeling” agent who said “you’d make so much more $$ in modeling than dancing on Broadway.” My choice? Broadway. (why do I keep hearing the Dixie Chicks song, “Taking the Long Way” in my head?).
Did you know early on in my tenure with Guiding Light, I was taken off contract? Yup. I was. They “loved me” and kept my character alive throughout that summer, but I knew they were never going to really develop story for “Katie” so I asked to leave (this was before I got pregnant &, gotta say, I was in my “prime”). Miracles of miracles happened. They put me back under contract, “Katie” blossomed and the rest is history (see my website or YouTube Channel for History Lesson 1 and 2). Meanwhile, I gave birth to two, now-grown amazing women.
So, getting back to “purpose.” Without an agent (now out of the business) to guide me toward soaps, I doubt I would have made that mark. This last decade without an agent, I’ve failed to find a creative, financially rewarding home. Guided only by instinct & passion, I proudly utilized my union cards to attend every Equity Principle Audition for which I felt perfect. Nada happened. Except, maybe, I was building “relationships?” Some good. Some questionable. Bottom line is signing on the dotted line. In the meantime, I became part of a theater company: Articulate Theatre Company. It would be perfectly perfect if “love” could = $$, too. We’re fledgling; we’re indie; we’re working our way to “respect & recognition” in an industry that’s seen many a theater company come and go. On the “awesome” barometer? Just as the writers on GL began to write with “me” in mind — my vocal rhythm patterns, etc. — so too, do the writers in our company! What a gift! How to help raise them up as CBS & P&G helped me?
Now 2018 is here. What I know for sure: The fruition of my decade on Guiding Light, my daughter, will give birth to my first grandchild (hopefully on my birthday in March, 2018) and my second daughter will marry her soulmate (October, 2018). Their success in life will be my husband and my greatest gift. Meanwhile, we continue to keep History Alive in schools, further the goals for The Rehearsal Club women and utilize social media to open our world up to the unknown — and the next life-changing choice leading to furthering our own life’s purpose. Et tu?
Ken Davenport’s: 3 Keys to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions:
- Keep the 2 A’s: Ambitious, but Achievable
- Be Specific
- Accountability – make your resolutions PUBLIC
2018 Intention: Finding that “woo-hoo” agent/manager who gets “me” and can move me closer to my (financially rewarding) greatest good.
