In this business, you may hear a hundred “No’s” for every “Yes.” Why add more?
I don’t know about you, but I’m occasionally surprised by how casting people see me. I most often play the doctor or the dad, and over the years I’ve become the grandad. Nice guys. I’ve made a career from playing these roles, and for the most part, it aligns with how I see myself.
But every now and then I’ll get called to audition for roles that make no sense to me. Police chief, military officer, some kind of tough guy. I do not see myself like this at all, but some casting directors do, and there’s no need to tell them otherwise.
It wasn’t always this way. Over time I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut, because I used to say no to these auditions. But as more of them came my way, I began to think the casting department may know something I don’t. And they do.
In recent years I’ve played a homophobic billionaire (two things I am not), a Roman general (I’m half Italian but still), a famous baseball player (what?), and a dancing King (which seemed impossible at the time as I hadn’t danced since college.) Every one of these jobs was an incredible opportunity to swing out and grow. To play and surprise myself. I got to be a “big bad actor.” And it was a lot of fun.
This does not mean you have to accept every audition or job that comes your way, although some industry people may say otherwise. Boundaries are so important in this business. That’s a different conversation, and maybe it will be my next blog.
But if it’s a role you just wouldn’t have chosen for yourself, give it your best shot and see what happens. Let them say no. They often will. But sometimes they’ll say yes, and you can trust they see something in you that you don’t. At least not yet.
– Ed
Upcoming classes with Ed include 2-Week Beginner Acting Intensive starting 1/6, Intermediate Scene Study I: Introduction to an Approach starting 1/24, and…
…the Evening section of the 2025 1-Year Intermediate Acting Program starting in January. Apply Now!
Check out TBG’s full schedule of classes, including youth options!