Robert Prosky
1930 - 2008
This blog post about the current state of my art starts with a quote by actor, Robert Prosky. Actors' Equity Association (AEA) included it in a mailing. I find it inspirational. Here is what he said:"I love Actors and by extension, the theater. I love the minutia that surrounds them both. I love listening and telling Green Room war stories. I love the onstage triumphs and yes, I love even the disasters. I love the adrenaline that shoots thru every Actor onstage when something goes wrong, and the relief that sweeps thru when some heroic Actor saves the day. I love performance. That time when the human beings onstage interact with the human beings in the audience and together they create the event of performance.. . . Actors are survivors and will continue to strive because they have the need to celebrate, in performance, that sacred communion between Actor and audience."
So, looking at my year, 2014, as an actor --
On the occasion of the sudden passing of actor James Gandolfini, a colleague sent me a link to a Youtube video of an appearance of Mr. Gandolfini on "Inside the Actors Studio". I watched the video and was very touched by Mr. Gandolfini's modesty and charm. I was also intrigued by a statement that he made that an actor has to have a point of view.
I've been asking myself since then, what is my point of view as an actor?
At this moment in my life, I have dialed back from, what seems to me now, was a frantic scramble to get work as an actor. I have been reflecting on past work. I have given myself over to balancing a "straight job" with making myself available to helping friends and family and volunteering in my community. The auditioning and acting I've done this year is in response to years of past networking.
So, now, I am thinking to myself, can I even call myself an actor that can have an actor's point of view?
In a recent blog post I mentioned a BACKSTAGE article about the crap shoot that getting acting work can be. I did not mention that the article made three suggestions for improving one's luck with said crap shoot. #1 Get better at your craft. #2 Network. #3 Make your own work.
As for #2 Network --
my friends and actors, Rita McCaffrey and Porter Fowler, and I have continued to meet once a month for dinner and to share our actor "war stories" and read scenes together. We also attend selected performances together. One such performance was a production of Helene Cohen's 50-50 at the Elite Theatre Company at the top of the year. Years ago I had produced a reading of 50 -50 for my cable community access program "Readers Theater Television". I was thrilled that Helene got the play up for a full production.
As for #3 Make your own work --
As for #3 Make your own work --
in December 2013 I auditioned to be a member of and was invited to join the Los Angeles actors' group, NEO Ensemble Theatre, http://www.neoensembletheatre.org/ , "a collaborative and diverse company of 86 artists committed to educating and inspiring the community through the celebration of humor within the human condition." Their newsletter asks, "What are you laughing at?"
For three years I had been researching professional actors' groups, attending performances and readings and volunteering for various groups. NEO felt like a good match for me and I am happy that they asked me to join. I have spent this year meeting my fellow NEOs and getting to know more about the group's goals. I ushered for our production of “Neo’s Motel 8….we’ll put the plays on for ya.” Eight short motel plays by eight writers. March 14 – April 6th 2014 and I did play readings with members for the Burbank Senior Artist Colony and a NEO company meeting.
and FAMOUS JAMES a film by Edgar Muñiz
For three years I had been researching professional actors' groups, attending performances and readings and volunteering for various groups. NEO felt like a good match for me and I am happy that they asked me to join. I have spent this year meeting my fellow NEOs and getting to know more about the group's goals. I ushered for our production of “Neo’s Motel 8….we’ll put the plays on for ya.” Eight short motel plays by eight writers. March 14 – April 6th 2014 and I did play readings with members for the Burbank Senior Artist Colony and a NEO company meeting.
On March 23, 2014 I was awarded my second year Harlequin pin for service as a volunteer with the Conejo Players Theatre.
As for #1 Get better at your craft --
I believe that acting is doing and shamelessly letting everyone know that you are doing/acting. I am thrilled to share that two films I worked on are coming out into the world --
ERASING EDEN a film by Beth Dewey
A young woman, Eden, sabotages her own wedding in order to reclaim her identity and blows up her life in the process.
Breeda Wool as "Eden"
View the ERASING EDEN trailer at:
http://www.bethdewey.com/erasing-eden-the-movie/
As for #1 Get better at your craft --
I believe that acting is doing and shamelessly letting everyone know that you are doing/acting. I am thrilled to share that two films I worked on are coming out into the world --
ERASING EDEN a film by Beth Dewey
A young woman, Eden, sabotages her own wedding in order to reclaim her identity and blows up her life in the process.
Breeda Wool as "Eden"
View the ERASING EDEN trailer at:
http://www.bethdewey.com/erasing-eden-the-movie/
and FAMOUS JAMES a film by Edgar Muñiz
We follow James, a jaded and crotchety 30 year old malcontent, as he goes to work, cares for his mother, fights with his sister, and alienates everyone around him.
View the FAMOUS JAMES trailer at:
(below, on location, shooting FAMOUS JAMES, Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, left to right, Brian Randles, Edgar Muñiz, Regina Mocey)
So, with this state of my art statement for 2014 I say, my actor point of view is -- I am a survivor of the crap shoot and will continue to strive because I have the need to celebrate, in performance, that sacred communion between Actor and audience.
Thank you for your support of and interest in my work.
