Academy award winning actor Morgan Freeman offers wise advice to Los Angeles Community College students at the rededication of The Morgan Freeman Theater in the Cinema Building.

I cannot stress enough what I am about to say: have a hobby. Find something you enjoy doing for its own sake, something separate from your primary artistic pursuit.

For actors, directors, and writers alike, the process of creating and pursuing a creative career can often feel like a daunting and isolating way of life. Then, if you are fortunate, you find a group that envelops you in support, acceptance, and understanding. It is the most sought after commodity; it is your tribe.

Nobody really knows where or when theater started. Some posit that it was initially a way to help understand what was going on in the world, “why has it rained so much?” “why isn’t it raining enough?” Maybe they thought that portraying an event for all to see would appease some all-knowing and all-seeing deity.

I’m guilty of using the same monologue for almost every audition. I can’t help that Miss Alma from Summer and Smoke just feels so right for me. 

If you don’t know the play, it’s about a minister’s daughter, Miss Alma, who is in love with her childhood friend, John Buchanan, a handsome doctor who seeks pleasure in gambling and sex.

Do you ever feel like everything is becoming ‘too much’ in life? If yes read on. If no wow how great it is to be you, please stop flaunting you’re amazing-ness here.

But seriously poor mental health affects everybody at some point in our lives so we must all read this no matter what your current state of mind. According to Mind U.K. statistics show that 1 in every four people experience mental health problems in a year. Say there are 20 people in your cast, that’s five whole people that could potentially be suffering, and one of them could be you. According to the NAMI 1 in every five adults experience mental health issues in America within a year. Due to these statistics don’t you think we should all educate ourselves on the matter of mental health and self-help? I sure do.

Because the New York theatre community at times has a very odd relationship with our international artists.

We can all agree that the inclusion of international perspectives and talents makes for better art.

Everyone triumphantly joins in on “Immigrants, we get the job done” should the Hamilton cast album happen to start playing at a party.

But most of us are not aware of the the daily struggles and catch-22s faced by international artists as they navigate life, art, and the ever-daunting visa process in the US.

What is it like to be an international artist in NYC?

Don’t ask me.

Let’s ask an international artist!

While cruising for a living may seem glamorous, being at sea for six months at a stretch has its challenges. Aimee Lake has traveled the world while performing as a lead vocalist on Silversea cruise ships, and she compares the experience to drama school: “Ship life is a lot like drama school: you are in your own little bubble. You find yourself spending time with the same people over and over again in a confined space for months on end, and it can be extremely intense and challenging. Having to sleep where you work is the biggest challenge of all, as you cannot leave your work for the day and head home; the ship is, in fact, your home.”

It is a daunting task to not only form a new theatre company but also get its first show off the ground onto the stage. The brand new Connecticut Arts Players are producing Avenue Q as their inaugural show. Over the next couple of months, OnStage Blog will be documenting their journey from auditions to opening night.

Of the 323 creative leadership positions in the 2017-2018 season, only 17% were held by women. This statistic is staggering considering that Broadway is the epicenter of American theatre and that women comprise 66% of Broadway audiences overall. It’s time to change the stage and prioritize a level playing field.

Statistically speaking, one in four women have been sexually assaulted, but since so many go unreported or even unspoken, it could be even higher.  I wanted those who’ve been harmed to feel seen, and those who haven’t to do more than say “I’m sorry”.  The biggest issue is that even if women are believed, people in power don’t seem to care.

Why am I telling you this?   Because my job as an artist, my purpose in life, is to tell the truth.  And I can’t fully tell the truth in my work until I can fully tell the truth about my own life.  I want to tell the truth.  I am so ready to tell the truth.  And my truth is that I’m a survivor.

The expectation to dedicate 20+, 30+, even 40 hours a week and be offered a daily or weekly stipend to ‘offset the cost of housing and living expenses; is simply absurd. Institutions “providing opportunities” like such are only doing harm to those that can’t afford to work for you.

Ultimately, life as an actor means wrestling with the idea that the success you desire may never materialize.  I think we can all agree based on the evidence that you have a better chance of getting a seat on the first manned mission to Mars than you do of booking a lead in a Marvel franchise.  So the question becomes – is that OK with you?

We don’t question the eight-show-a-week model, or the demands of score, or the press events the actors are expected to attend. We blame the actor. The show must go on. If it doesn’t, that actor is either lazy or they have bad technique. It’s a lose-lose situation.

In Their Footsteps is a celebration of real women in a messy and complicated war. The women in this play all served willingly, did the work, and then “went back into the shadows” when the war was over, with little or no recognition.

Every arts organization needs to craft policies and procedures that state a zero-tolerance policy for abusive, bullying, and similar conduct by any employee or volunteer.  That goes for the board, too. Board members, in particular, must train themselves to understand the law.  They need to know what local, state and federal laws have to say about harassment and abuse.  They need to make this training a regular and ongoing part of board orientation and development.

I’ve always found it fascinating that when I tell people I’m an actor, they think that means I lie for a living.  On the contrary, I’m a truth-teller…how can we know what our truth is if we don’t give ourselves time to simply be?