Expert: Phil Nemy - 12/28/2011

Question
Dear Phil,

Like many others, I am at the crossroads at my current career, looking back upon my childhood ambitions, wishing I could turn back time.

In my youth, I was involved in a multitude of creative activities; from fine arts, dance, musical theater, and even showchoir (before Glee made it cool). When it came time to apply to college, I thought I was being "practical" by choosing the field of Graphic Design, as I couldn't imagine making a living as a fine/performing artist.

Now I'm 28, a Design Director at a well-known firm, and mother of a 3 year old little girl who loves to dance, and all I can think of is "what if?" As she gets older, I don't want to have to tell her "I could've done this if only.." I feel like I owe it to her and myself to give it another chance to really embrace my full potential.

I understand this industry isn't stable, so I'm not looking for a quick solution to reclaim my dream. Just wondering if you have any suggestions, on what the best steps would be to try again. Is it taking local acting classes, or obtaining a new degree? Or would it be best to find something closer to my current profession in an artistic director role?

I just can't keep watching from the outside, and I'd love your advise to help move me in the right direction.

Thanks for your time,
Best regards,

Brandy

Answer
Brandy,

Thanks for writing. I'm not quite sure how best to advise you. My answer depends on what kind of career you seek, i.e. a working actor in the theater, or a working actor in film/TV. The chances of you ever being able to make a living as an actor, even at age 28 (which, BTW, is still relatively young in our industry), is very, very slim. That said, if you take on solid training from one of the better programs for a career as a professional actor in the theater, and you're willing to travel regularly, then you can have a fairly satisfying career playing a number of parts but not making much money. If you're doing it to show your daughter that you can do anything you set your mind to, then maybe that will be satisfaction enough.

At any rate, the best training for an actor, regardless of the medium you end up working in, is training for the stage. Acting on the stage is the foundation of ALL acting for ALL mediums. Start with this, then develop various techniques that work for you, and adjust them to the medium in which you are working. The BEST actors can work in TV by day and then adjust to live theater at night.

It would be tough to find anyone who would hire you as an artistic director for a company seeing as you haven't the professional acting or directing body of work to back it up. Being an artistic director, even a creative leadership role, comes after years of study and work at ones craft.

I don't know if this is of any help, but as I said, it's a bit of a challenge advising you as I'm not sure what you're ultimate goal is.

Good luck!

Phil