Acting

Aaron Marcus thanks for sharing this. You had me hooked at the get-go with the title of your You Tube video. Very creative as I was intrigued to find out why. I also agree that auditioning so that an casting director reacquaints themselves with you is a good move. Again, very creative and strategic. I think we have to be this way in order to get ahead in the industry. Curious if the casting director then got back in touch with you further down the line for any other projects?

Hi Alexandra, thank you so much for always being so honest and on-target with your writing. Honestly, this just happened a few days ago, so I haven't had enough time to see what might happen in the future. But, good things have happened to me in the past in similar situations.

Thank you again for sharing your wisdom and amazing insights.

Ashley Renee Smith this sounds vital for anyone who has an interest in getting ahead in the industry. I will do my best to be there.

Alexandra Stevens I always wanted to act and create as a kid, but I grew up in a really small town that didn’t have a lot of opportunities for that. Then, when I was about 12, my mom picked me up from school and handed me a newspaper clipping from our tiny town’s paper. It was an audition notice—our local community theater (which normally only did adult plays) was looking to cast one kid role. She looked at me and said, “We’re going to that audition.”

That night changed everything. Not only did I get the role (actually, I got three roles in that show), but I found a community of people who saw my potential and took me under their wings. They became my awkward, dramatic, wildly creative extended family.

From that point until I was about 17, I spent almost every night and weekend at that theater. I was rarely the right age to perform, so I threw myself into everything else—front of house, backstage, props, lighting design, set building, stage crew. When I was 15, I got to Assistant Direct my first musical. By 16, I was the Technical Director, overseeing the lighting and sound team and running crews for each show.

And somewhere along the way, I fell in love not just with performance, but with the entire process of bringing stories to life. My now-husband Jordan actually started working backstage when we were about 14, just to have an excuse to hang out with me. So for me, it wasn’t one specific moment, but one night did open the door to everything I've accomplished as a creative professional. And once I walked in, I never wanted to leave.

Ashley Renee Smith thanks for sharing, it's good to learn more about you. I wasn't aware you had started out as an actress! Thank goodness for your mum, she sounds like she had a really great attitude to encourage you like that. I can just picture you (from the photo you shared) spending every night at the theatre. I imagine you felt both creatively stimulated and also that you felt like you belonged. And wow, that piece about meeting your now-husband backstage at the age of 14. How rare is that. The universe works in poetic ways. How is your writing process going?

Hahaha, Alexandra Stevens, Jordan and I actually met when we were 12. We had the same homeroom and English class in 7th Grade. He had a big crush on me, and I stuck him firmly in the friend zone. He started helping at the theater in 9th grade to spend more time with me. He truly became my best friend. It was actually at the theater about a year later that one of my other closest friends pulled us aside and asked us when we were going to stop lying to ourselves and just admit we were crazy about each other. LOL! We've been together ever since. Our 17-year anniversary is in just a few weeks.

And yeah, I basically lived at the theater. I used to keep a pillow up in the tech booth, and I would take quick naps up there when I worked late or for long days on the weekends. It was my second home.

I’ve always been an artist (visual arts was first love). Also always been a movie buff. And one day while I was drawing, I had There Will be Blood playing. And in the midst of watching the film, Daniel Day Lewis’s portrayal was a life changing experience to me. Afterwards I watched a few interviews of him just to see how different of personality he was from his character. And it was amazing how this reserved, soft spoken man could change into a tornado of a being. And then I watched Lincoln, and The Last of Mohicans, and in my mind was : it’s a craft to be able to show another side of one’s emotions into a character you play and still be yourself outside of that world. Guess that’s telling that he is my favorite actor of all time . And has influenced me tremendously into the acting world. **side bar, sleeper film is The Age of Innocence ** . And I haven’t put drawing away , I will always keep that as a skill , but being able to pick up other skills even for a moment in time, but to show on a screen that will last is incredible and cool to me.

Chaunsy Ryan White I agree that Daniel Day Lewis is truly talented. I wish you all the best with your acting journey. What are you up to at the moment with it?

So interesting to read Kenneth Choi’s reflections on grief, masculinity, and vulnerability. His experience highlights the real risk that a character can 'bleed' into the actor's everyday life and cause emotional distress/trauma and nervous system deregulation. It's why self-care is so important as well as other practices to make a clear distinction between us and our character. Thanks Pat Alexander

Maybe costume departments could add more ventilation in the Batsuit and other costumes, Suzanne Bronson. Or maybe use cooler material.

Haha Maurice. Aesthetics is what matters, not an actor's comfort.

Suzanne Bronson when I was a teenager, I had to wear this awful blonde wig for a stage production and I absolutely hated it. It was itchy, slipped around constantly, and made me so self-conscious the entire time I was on stage. It definitely gave me a new level of respect for actors who have to perform in full prosthetics or heavy, elaborate costumes.

I know what you mean Ashley. I had to wear a wig for a stage production. I felt the sameway. It did take some getting used to. The worse thing I ever wore was when I was playing a zombie and Makeup put some contacts in my eyes. All I could see was directly in front of me. I had to wear them for hours even though I was just sitting in holding. I could barely read my book. I have no idea why the production wouldn't keep them out until I was called. Finally at the end of the night it was time for my "big scene." I was supposed to chase the director and when I started running I fell down. Hard. Had to go to the ER when I got home.

You're welcome, Alexandra Stevens. I'm enjoying learning more about other areas of the industry. It helps me as a screenwriter. Like acting for example. I study performances and learn things about acting. Those things help me when I write scripts, like acting out scenes as I outline, write, and rewrite them.

Maurice Vaughan it's fascinating learning more about your writing process. I wonder, what is the top thing you learned about acting that has informed your writing?

I think the top thing -- or at least one of them -- I learned about acting that's informed my writing is actors taking pauses, Alexandra Stevens. It's a simple thing, but a pause can have a big impact in a script, movie, show, etc.

Alexandra, thank you for sharing this: I hadn’t seen the article yet, and it really resonated with me too. Courtney’s decision is such a powerful reminder that stepping away doesn’t mean giving up: it can be one of the most intentional, courageous choices we make for our well-being.

Burnout in this industry can sneak up fast, especially when we’re conditioned to always say yes, push harder, and stay visible. For me, recognizing burnout usually shows up as physical exhaustion and brain fog. I get so worn out that I become really emotionally raw and struggle to sleep, no matter how tired I am.

Maurice Vaughan sounds like a learning that can have a powerful impact on your scripts, allowing pauses for actors. And this poetically links back to the article and what you Ashley Renee Smith smith said about the importance of pausing in our creative work when necessary to refuel

I'm an actor & I'm currently directing my first feature film. It's been pretty challenging since I'm also the executive producer on this project, but I love every bit of it. What I find easy, as actor working as director, is expressing what I want my actors to do or show me on camera. For example, I can guide someone who's having difficulties crying on command or someone whose tone sounds too neutral. Lots of directors are focused on the camera side of things ("cinematographer besties" lol), and while that's cool, I think it's also really important to put as much focus on actors and their performance on camera.

David Robitaille thank you for sharing your experience. It's fascinating to read about. I imagine your actors like working with you given the attention and importance you give them. I wonder how you support them to cry on command for example? I'm also curious what made you decide to direct and produce your first feature film?

Alexandra Stevens to left brain for me haha

Alexandra Stevens, thank you for sharing this. I hadn’t seen that article yet. It’s always fascinating when actors step into the director’s chair, especially when they bring such a deep understanding of performance and character.

Your question is such a great one, too! For any actors in the community who’ve also directed, I’d love to hear your perspective! Such a rich conversation to dig into, thank you for sparking it!

Suzanne Bronson Makes sense.

There are always ups and downs in the industry. The trick is learning to not just survive them but get even better and stronger when it happens. You and your daughter should be on my special mailing list. You can sign up at: howtoactandmodel.com

Hope you find some great talent.

Just signed up Aaron Marcus. But I'm not going to lie - I had not seen that scene with you in "A Man Called Otto" so it scared me a little to see a friend falling onto a train track. I just about jumped in after you - which I would.

That is so kind of you, Leonardo. It was an amazing experience having a scene with Tom Hanks. What an amazing actor, but an even nicer person. Thanks for offering to "save me." You are a very kind person.

That means the world to me, Aaron Marcus but you are just as kind. Thank you so very much.