Acting : Actors need other actors... by Stephen Foster

This is from a workbook I published "Awakening the Actor Within" We suffer so much in silence. We don’t acknowledge the painful things or enumerate on our numerous victories. We have this false belief that we must do it all alone. We don’t gather as actors and tell each other what really happens. We start thinking that it was only our egos wanting us to act. The rationale goes like this: “Oh, well, I didn’t get that part . . . It happens to everyone . . . who am I kidding . . .” and the downward spiral begins. We put the anger and frustrations on our own backs. When what we really need is a cheering section. We need safe companions to vent a little bit to. Fellow actors who say, "keep going" instead of "you should quit." It is important that you break your sense of isolation around your talents and seek out a supportive tribe. It doesn’t need to be a huge group. You can find support in your family, neighbors, church, support groups, and classes. You can even form a support group using the tools from this book. I taught many, many “Artist’s Way” circles when I was unblocking just to keep myself unblocked. We would each read the chapter by ourselves, meet in the group and do the “check-in,” and then the tasks for the week—sharing our results (without criticism). I can’t understate the importance of having a “friendly” alliance! I even conducted groups online as well. I urge you to seek out support. When I mean support, I mean people who firmly are in your court—somebody to tell you things are going to be all right when you can only see the misery, someone who loves you no matter how bad you look or seem, and someone who tells you that you still are great when the critics tell you not to act. Remember you are acting for your health, not theirs. Seek out friends who support your acting recovery. Begin in your notebook to jot names of those who leave you feeling empty, drained, “hung over,” and unfocused; who makes you feel safe, elated, and ecstatic; and who believes in you and your dreams? Be as honest as you can. Some people will fall into both categories. The first person who must firmly support you is yourself. The inner actor is a small, delicate yet very powerful child who requires support and guidance from your inner adult. You must guide that child with all of you. It does no good to bully and beat up on that child (that’s the ego); the child will retaliate and scurry back into the shadows. Fill the child’s world with wonder and love. There is strength in numbers. We are in an anti-art world and an anti-acting world. But we must change that. The only way we can is by proving it can and must be done. We are in a collective denial about our need for help, for our desire for one another. I think we are missing community, camaraderie, companionship, and connection. We live in isolated, remote caves avoiding one another when our true hearts have a need for love.