About Arlene Schulman Expertise As a professional director, dramaturg, acting coach and actor for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I can help with questions on acting technique, character development, audition and rehearsal techniques, dealing with directors and stage managers, what directors are looking for, and other aspects of the acting and directing professions.
Experience A professional director, dramaturg, acting coach and actor for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I have directed in professional, university and amateur theatre and have directed and acted in dramas, comedies, musicals, Shakespeare as well as collaborating closely with playwrights in the development of original plays and musicals.
Organizations SSDC associate member Advisory Board - Isle of Shoals Productions Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America associate member Shakespeare Association of America The Shakespesare Institute -
MA "Shakespeare & Theatre" candidate, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Question hi, first i want to say that i have been a background actor for 5 yrs. Experts like you have been great at answering all my ques. about acting but what happens when something,unforseen, like a writers strike,begins & then when it's over the agencies that were quick to get me jobs have slowed down, until things pick up again, what should i b doing in the meantime with this passion to work. I really don't like the feeling of being stagnant. i wasn't prepared for this type of lull. i'm not even getting auditions. i am retired & 58 yrs. old.
Answer Hi Vinny,
I really don't know what to tell you here. You are hardly the only one who is in this position. The writer's strike affected everyone in the entertainment business, causing people to lose jobs, companies to lose money and even have to close, shows to be canceled and more. In TV, reality shows blossomed while scripted shows stopped being written and produced and many have only just gone back into production again. New film scripts are only just beginning to be produced again. It will take time for things to start rolling again.
What to do in the meantime is everyone's problem. If you are a union actor, then you are restricted to union projects. You could try auditioning for theatre productions rather than film to keep your skills and creativity sharp.
If you are not a union actor, then there are lots of options open to you - independent films, theatre, even community theatre to accomplish the same thing until the more professional work comes in.
Try to expand your focus and look outside the box to other kinds of acting besides background work.
