Acting

I have three actually. I have one in Atlanta that handles all of the south for me, one in New York, and one here locally in Central PA. The thing that works for me is that I no longer have to self submit for anything. Between the three of them, I have more than enough auditions to keep me busy. Only once in the last five years have they sent me the same audition within a matter of ten minutes of each other. Obviously I had to go with who sent it to me first and I actually ended up booking the part! Lol!

That sounds like a wonderful situation you have created for yourself. By any chance, do you work with Docherty in Central/Western, PA?

Hi Suzanne, the whole point of having videos here is to have a great community of actors who share information so we can all learn from each other. I also hope that they subscribe to my YouTube channel and sign up to be on my site: howtoactandmodel.com. That way we can easily communicate and even share more personal information. Thanks for your thoughts here.

Aaron Marcus In PA, I'm with Central PA Talent. Tashina Roberson.

Thanks for sharing. I am not familiar with Central PA Talent. How long have you been with them?

Sorry to hear that happened, Matthew Gross. You're right. Your health matters—even when the cameras are rolling. Health and safety above everything else. Congratulations on the role!

I am glad you found a work around Matthew. I hope it works out for you. Yes, that is something to think about especially if you have long days on set. Unfortunately, the film industry isn't the most flexible when it comes to working around people's health, even if you are one of the stars of the show. Jennifer Esposito has been very outspoken about this topic. She has celiac disease, and says that is why she was fired from Blue Bloods.

When I did extra work, I would take granola bars, or anything I could put in my pocket from crafty to set because often times you are sitting on set for hours. They would give you bottled water, you can hide items under your chair. Extras are always sneaking bites between takes. haha

Matthew Gross sorry to hear about that episode and glad you have found a work-around. Not the same but I remember last year I was doing online acting classes which lasted 3 hours and I was pregnant with gestational diabetes. The teacher was understanding but I had to break away from training at times to test my blood sugar or have a snack

Why Brittany?

Brittany Christine yes also curious to hear more about why when you have time

Their relationship is heartwarming. What resonated with me is when Spike Lee talks about deciding to cast A$AP Rocky. 'human beings give off energy and as a director you need to be receptive to the energy they give off and think, 'can they play the part'. Love it!

That's great, Brandon Keeton! Looking forward to checking out all your projects, Transient, and the project in March!

Did you see this blog about Stage 32 Certification partnering with Central Pennsylvania Film Commission? www.stage32.com/blog/stage-32-certification-partners-with-central-pennsy...

Johntrae Williams wrote the blog. You might want to connect with him.

This is a great question Brandon Keeton My first acting job was in a church play when I was like 10 may be. It was just voiceover as God so I wasn't even seen, and all I really did was read. I had so much fun and got a lot of praise, that I had to act again. My first actual onstage performance was the Bumblebee in THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH in 6th grade. I loved that costume.

Maurice Vaughan 5 I did! I think I'm the one that made the connection for them.

Suzanne Bronson Sweet! I didn't act at all until high school. Then I won a scholarship to Morehead State University in Ky but I joined the Marine Corps instead. Worked my way back around 30 some odd years later! Lol!

Brandon Keeton so inspired and impressed by your firsts which are testament to your talent and courage. May they keep flowing!

Jennifer Ford what a great pick! I love the sassiness and energy rolling off the computer screen as I read this. Could be a great opportunity to play with authority, frustration, and underlying compassion all at once. I absolutely loved Breaking Bad. Don't get me started on "Better Call Saul' as I would no doubt binge watch too. Would love to see your version of it one day

Hi Jennifer! It's awesome you connected with the piece, if you want to practice it for yourself, but I don't recommend putting it in a reel. For reels, I suggest using a piece from a play, or a monologue from a novel or something. It's not a good idea to recreate scenes from well known movies or tv shows, as the casting directors, et al will just be comparing you to the actor who did the original part and you don't want that. It's better to use unfamiliar pieces for reels.

I do like Better Call Saul but haven't finished the series. I constantly stop and get distracted elsewhere. I got to the early episodes of season 4 last time I believe.

If you want another brilliant and strong female character, look no further than Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhodes in Billions. The character is one of my favourites in the series next to Axelrod and Mike Waxman. Some of the confrontations between Rhodes and Axelrod when her husband investigates his hedge fund, are so awesome.

Hello Suzanne, personally I worked on outfits for a big theater called L’Opéra de Toulon in France, I worked on the theme of Baroque, a chic elegant outfit. I loved participating, I would do it again if I can, now I combine sewing and styling with my films.

Suzanne Bronson good question. I don't know if it was my favourite but the one that popped into my head so probably the most memorable is Caliban from Shakespeares The Tempest. It was at school when i was 16 and I remember hanging upside down half-off the stage making a grotesque face ;)

That's really cool Koby Nguyen How do you combine sewing and styling with your films?

The Tempest is a fun production Alexandra Stevens

Hi, Alexandra Stevens. I don't think I've thought about that before. I guess I just do it.

That's horrible, Aaron Marcus. My condolences to his family and friends. Thanks for making this post and video. Sharing horrible experiences in the industry can be hard, but it can help others avoid them.

Thanks. It was a horrible experience. Poor family. Husband goes off off to work and never comes home. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus. I was thinking the same thing. If I had horrible experiences to share, I definitely would.

I haven't had an experience so traumatic but I have seen and been in dangerous situations on set. One movie had us background artists, probably 50+ running full bore at each other with actual rakes, pitch forks, etc. on a back lot. The small group I was with, just tried to stay out of the way. I have no idea how there were no injuries.

I also fell flat on my face once on the blacktop on a different show, but that was because the contacts I had on, I could barely see out of. All kinds of not entirely legal things happen when you are non union. Even on Union gigs.

Thanks for sharing this, Suzanne. It is really important to be careful when on sets. I am so glad to hear you never encountered anything traumatic on a set.

Douglas Esper That’s such a powerful creative cycle! Each discipline sharpens the others in unexpected ways.

Alexandra Stevens This is such a beautifully thoughtful response, thank you for sharing it. I love that you brought up the concept of the ‘fertile void’ from Gestalt Therapy. That idea of intentional pause, of letting go to make space, is something we don’t talk about enough as creatives. I completely agree that the recharge doesn’t always have to be big or expensive, though a 5-star Barbados getaway does sound dreamy.

Ashley Renee Smith Yes, honestly there is so much work that I appreciate and am inspired by. However at the moment though are only few. Of recent there’s August Wilson’s the Piano lesson of which was adapted into a film by the Washington family. The story is about a family heirloom of which becomes the focal point of conflict when deciding its future. The themes of this play/film are about family legacy, generational trauma, African American history and more. This one resonates because highlights the complexity’s of the African American experience when it comes to autonomy over one’s identity. Also another play of which I’m hoping to see at some point but not able because of circumstance is I’m not your superwomen by Emma Dennis Edwards starring Letitia Wright and Golda Rosheuval.

Ashley Renee Smith (sigh out), I sleep, and make sure I am connecting to my body, and yes working out, but just feeling my own life force, and knowing that there is creative power flowing within me, whether I am acting or not. And, doing something else, like dancing, or even writing, to express and keep my imagination and heart/mind connection alive.

I love listening to different kinds of music. Sometimes I watch movies to critique them and apply some of the techniques that I've learned in screenwriting. I unplugged from the computer and all social media. I do a lot of visualization exercises of myself reaching my screenwriting goals. I set new goals and work on new shows.

Must-read article and great tips, Alicia McClendon!

Thanks so much for sharing this, Alicia McClendon! I’m always thrilled to see actors giving back by sharing what they’ve learned, it’s such a powerful way to uplift others in the industry.

Your point about taking a class is so important, but I love that you’re also offering insight for those who may not have access right now. And if you’re interested in digging deeper into technique, audition prep, or industry insight, our Acting Education page is packed with resources: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/acting

Thank you for sharing Alicia McClendon

Thank you! Suzanne Bronson