Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Semi-professional theater

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Expert: - 5/14/2008


Question
Have you had any experience with semi-professional theater before you were in productions, films, and tv? If so, what was it like? Thanks!

-Chelsea

Answer
Hi Chelsea,

Yes, I have done theater. It is fun, but a lot of work. You have rehearsals for a while, then when the show opens you have to re-work stuff sometimes to make it better, then you are doing it and you are going to the theater each night and each weekend to do matinees in the afternoons, which I really don't like, because I like to have my weekends to myself. The pay can be a bit low considering all the driving back and forth, which with gasoline now, can be expensive!

However, the rush you get onstage and the immediate feedback is electrifying.

There comes a point in a long run where you grow tired and that's when you start playing with the role a bit to stimulate yourself to keep things fresh and interesting.

Theater is good on your resume and good practice, but the money isn't great and the money you have to spend takes away from that, along with consuming a great deal of time.

That's my honest answer. Hope it helps!

Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Taylor Sheppard

Expertise

I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.

Experience

I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.

Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).

Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.

Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).

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