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What is the most important advice you would have for an actor moving to NYC?

 
  • Dive in and don't be afraid. I have met so many people who move to the city as "actors" but never audition. My advice would be to audition as much as possible, take classes, try to meet new people, and have fun with it all!
  • KNOW THYSELF!!  Meaning... Don’t try to be like anybody else. If you are not blond and beautiful...don’t fight that but capitalize on your uniqueness!  Choose songs and monologues that reflect YOU and that you LOVE!  You will get jobs that way.

  • Prepare, prepare, prepare and then prepare.  Have your routine down (not just your pieces but your clothes, travel route...etc.)...and be ready to go at a moments notice. 
  • Do everything you can to get an agent and go to every audition you can. Keep taking class (yes especially dance) and always work to better yourself. Try to remain humble, because without humility we can't learn.

  • Breath.  If you have a day off, get out of the apartment and go see the city as a tourist.  Staying inside too much can kill you.  Turn equity as soon as you can.  That's my personal advice.  If you hate NY, remember that you can have a career in theatre just about anywhere.  Milwaukee is nice.  DC has tons.  You don't have to live in Queens.  If you don't mind commuting live out in Jersey of Long Island.  Jersey has a lot of theatre.  You could own a car and drive to different states theatre's to audition as well.
  • Make sure this is really what you want to do...save up at least $3,000
    to help you get started, and be patient
  • If you decide to move here and do it, do it!  Don’t get trapped in a day job and blow off auditions—always remember why you moved here in the first place.  Also, make sure you nurture your life outside of the business and know who you are besides being an actor.  It’s important to pursue happiness first and foremost—being an actor should fit into that goal, not be the deciding factor.

  • Take time to secure a good place to live, get a day job, be a tourist and take your time to adjust to the city before jumping into auditions. You won't be any good anyway, so just relax.  Know that becoming a working actor is a process. Slow and steady is the name of the game. Work diligently; establish a good solid foundation for the work you will build over the next several years, decades.
  • Be Patient, Find the right coaches and teachers for you, Go to every audition that is right for you.  BE PREPARED!!! Make a budget and stick to it!!

  • Be patient.....what I've come across is that you need to give yourself time to be comfortable in your event before you can really be comfortable in the audition room.

  • Find the place that is RIGHT FOR YOU To study, Don't go to one place, go to all of them! And DON'T Settle for ANYTHING up to and including acting school, an apartment, job etc.

  • Find a way to live in Manhattan, it seems to make all the difference.

  • I would say making connections is just as important as auditioning and to pace yourself with auditions and your resources.

  • Know why you are here and know what you want and let no one tell you otherwise!
 

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