It's a thrill when it happens. An actor finds the courage to be so raw and real it takes your breath away. It happened for me today, during a private coaching session. A local actor (you know who you are, you fabulous woman!) came in and let everything that is happening in her life into the scene she was working on. She brought her fear and apprehension, her heartbreak, her utter vulnerability, hiding none of it. Now THAT is exciting, compelling acting.

We talked a bit about the masks we wear. About how we hide who we are, or try to change what we feel in the moment. You simply can't control everything and when you stop trying to, magic can happen. You put everything, your whole, imperfect, struggling self into the character and your work connects.

I can't take credit. This actor walked in the door with all her defenses down. But it was a real treat watching her work - watching her use not just her head, but also her heart to allow each word to sing with truth.

That's why we do this folks. To make a genuine human connection. To honor what's inside each and every one of us. And that takes the kind of courage I saw today.

God, I love actors.

I get all kinds of questions. About building skills, getting headshots, how to manage nerves. But the hardest questions to answer are the ones about getting work. The unspoken subtext is, "I'm spending money on photos and reels and classes etc., when do I start making money?" The answer is different for everyone. It all depends on a combination of factors - some of which you can control, some you can't.

But I do know this: the people who treat acting as a business tend to work more often. You need to understand the market and what you have to sell. You need a creative business plan. And then you need to work that plan - hard. It doesn't matter whether you're a 'hobby' actor or a SAG member - in our 'right to work" state, everybody faces the same set of variables and competes for the same work. So even if it's just a hobby for you, you won't get the work if you don't understand the standards and expectations of the industry.

One of the best (and most frustrating!) things about this business is that it's always changing. You need to know how to ride the waves of change. Making your own work is one of those waves at the moment. Does that thought make you break out in hives? You're not alone. But creating work for yourself and promoting yourself is far less scary when you understand the market and have a business plan.

So bring your questions to my BUSINESS OF ACTING seminar. Everything you ever wanted to know about being a working actor in and around Knoxville but didn’t know who to ask!

This 2 1/2 hour event will cover:

•  Where's the work? 
•  How do I sell ME? 
•  Working with an agent 
•  Online submissions 
•  Union or Not? 
•  Pictures and resumes and reels, oh my! 
•  Getting experience 
•  What Casting Directors want 
•  Audition Tips 
•  Putting Yourself on Tape 
•  Making Your Own Work 
•  Surviving the Craziness 
•  And more…. 

You can choose from one of two sessions, both of which meet at Panera's in Bearden. Sunday. March 11 @ 12:30 or Saturday, March 24 @ 11:00. The costs is $35.00, payable at the door by check or cash or online by Paypal. Seating is limited, so shoot me an email or call me at 659-3314 and I'll add you to the list!

Being an actor who is pursuing professional work in Knoxville, TN can be very lonely. You sometimes feel you are working in a vacuum - trying to figure out what your next step is, wondering if there is more you can do, wishing for colleagues to talk with about this crazy business! Well, you are not alone.

I'm putting together a short seminar on acting in Knoxville and the region. What would YOU like to know? Leave a comment and I'll research the answer to your question and make sure it's covered.

We need to stop struggling in isolation and join forces to share our questions and knowledge.

The seminars will be 3 hours long and you'll have two dates to choose from in early to mid March. So, what do YOU want to know?