Multi-Tasking Is Not The Answer: Productivity Hacks for Busy Actors

I slowly realized that the benefits and enjoyment of each activity were greatly diminished by the multitasking. Watching a movie with my boyfriend while updating my website didn’t really count as “quality time with boyfriend” and the work on my website took twice as long since I was distracted. As a multitasker I saved very little time. I didn’t add more hours to my day—I just made the hours I actually had less enjoyable.

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Teaching Improv at Rikers Island and Beyond: An Interview with Drama Club's Josie Whittlesey

We enter a center with that intention:  “We're going to create this family in this place where it's not safe—we're going to create the safe little room where once a week you can come in and play, to be a dummy, and to be a theater geek without judgment…”

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Life Imitating Art: Rehearsing During the Kavanaugh Hearings

Statistically speaking, one in four women have been sexually assaulted, but since so many go unreported or even unspoken, it could be even higher.  I wanted those who’ve been harmed to feel seen, and those who haven’t to do more than say “I’m sorry”.  The biggest issue is that even if women are believed, people in power don’t seem to care.

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"We Want Actors to Succeed" - An Interview with Gama Valle of Harriet Bass Casting

A lot of times you see very talented actors, they're great with the material, and then when the read is over and it's time to have a moment with the creative team, they sort of close themselves. At the end of the day, the director wants to know if there's some sort of connection there, someone that you can talk to, someone that you can spend six to eight weeks together rehearsing with from ten to six…leave an impression on me, because I'm sure you have a personality.

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Say No To Unpaid Positions and Stipends: A Newcomer Takes a Stand

The expectation to dedicate 20+, 30+, even 40 hours a week and be offered a daily or weekly stipend to ‘offset the cost of housing and living expenses; is simply absurd. Institutions “providing opportunities” like such are only doing harm to those that can’t afford to work for you.

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Not Us, Too! Cleaning Up Nonprofit Theatre's #MeToo Mess

Every arts organization needs to craft policies and procedures that state a zero-tolerance policy for abusive, bullying, and similar conduct by any employee or volunteer.  That goes for the board, too. Board members, in particular, must train themselves to understand the law.  They need to know what local, state and federal laws have to say about harassment and abuse.  They need to make this training a regular and ongoing part of board orientation and development.

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Top Ten Excuses for When An Audition Makes You Late to Work

…you will, as an auditioning actor, occasionally find yourself between a rock and a place where you need a convincing excuse fast: it’s inevitable.   Professional jobs cast during the day, semi- and non-professional jobs often cast at night, all three can appear at a moment’s notice, and there are going to be times when you have to be in two places at once. 

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