So, I’ll be 26 this winter. I’ve been trying to get my undergrad degree since 2013. So far that’s seven years. It’ll be another 2 or 3 before I have enough money to return to school to get my Bachelor’s.
I want all of you to know, specifically all of you who are studying to be actors or trying to make a career in acting: It’s okay to take a break and do other things for a while.
The industry and the people who run it can really suck sometimes. I’ve struggled for a long time with the fact that I will not be a bright eyed teen or youth when I finally graduate and get to start my post-educational professional career. It happens sometimes. No matter your journey to having an acting career, your journey is your own.
I’ve had and will have careers in fields other than acting before I get to be an actor. Right now, I’m working in a museum, for an indie film company, and a full time job in retail, in order to gain some kind of nonprofit experience (the first two) and to have a steady source of income (the third).
Being an actor and trying to have an acting career these days is not easy. The pressure to look a certain way is immense, and sometimes you drop an incredible amount of money to try to achieve The Look or get The Education or The Social Media Following or The Brand to catch casting’s attention. And that sucks, because actors have, for the most part, always been working class workers. It angers me to no end the amount of money it seems like you have to pour into acting to see even a tiny bit of output - headshots, reels, clothing, makeup, health, living in a big city, etc.
Despite all this, I still have optimism and hope and faith in my abilities. I know that I’m good, castable, a hard worker, someone who can take direction, works well with my cast and crew, and studies like none other. So even if the journey to get to my intended career as an actor takes a bit longer, I know I’ll get there.
Though I've all but abandoned this blog, here's a happy update!
I went back to school and graduated with my BA in Theatre this year, at 28 years old.
I got a job with a company (regular day job, not theatre related), and now I'm working full time whilst working on myself and non-theatre/acting related things in my life. I'll still end up in acting and other misc creative pursuits, but I am an excellent example of life taking a detour and finding your way back.
Keep dreaming, kids. All you experience will enrich your storytelling.
