Okay. I must write this because if someone ever tells me this again I may lose it! When someone tells you, "One day you may get your big break," it bastardizes all of the great projects and hard work that you have been involved with since you started on this crazy journey in the first place. It is just as insulting as someone finding out that you are a public school teacher, and the response being, "Wow, that is really noble or I can't even imagine what that must be like." It looks like teaching! And if you talk to a few you may never have to make such inappropriate assumptions again.
What does this magical big break even look like? Is is it a great payday? Is it that bucket list role you always wanted? Is it fame? What?! If I waited for this "big break" as supposed to simply going after work period, I would be cuckoo for cocoa puffs. Waiting for that "big break" is the same as those folks who wait for a winning lottery ticket to land in their lap. And for those who really know me, you know that my hustle is ridiculous and I wait for nothing or no one. But I do feel that this blog is necessary because I know some folks have no idea what it means to take a f#@*ing risk and equally have no idea what the world of acting/performing even looks like. But if you simply let your common sense be your guide or read a few articles, you may actually find a clue. You may actually discover that people make a living sharing their art, time, and talent with others.
I am exhausted of explaining to the commoners what the hell I do, why I do it, and what it actually looks like! Shit! If you watch as much TV as I do, you will notice that there are some faces that you see in a few different shows on a few different channels. They are not famous, you cannot recall their name, but you know that face. They are called...wait for it...WORKING ACTORS!! And before you started seeing them on a few shows with a line here and there, they probably spent a fair amount of time in plays, staged readings, independent films, on cruise ships, amusement parks, mini concerts, background singing, teaching artist gigs, workshops, Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, and much more. In other words they and I have been working quite a long time at simply being an actor. Once again for those who have never read my blog, this is a marathon not a race.
To avoid sounding like a complete jerk, take a moment before you open your mouth and simply say, "I am really excited about your new project" or better yet, just nod and smile and walk away. Because I would rather you say nothing then insult my life work and the life work of my peers on this same journey.
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