The Masterclass Quotes
The Masterclass Quotes
by Mario A. Campanaro
1. Letting Go:
“Did you ever ask yourself why it’s so difficult to let go? All those things—experiences, thoughts, and relationships—that you’re holding onto, thinking they’re the rock that keeps you safe and stable, might actually be the things holding you back from reaching your greatest potential. It’s like an anchor holding a ship in harbor. The anchor serves its purpose, but when the ship is ready to move on, it has to let go of the anchor to reach its next destination. Sometimes, we have to let go. I know it’s difficult and scary, but we must trust that the unknown holds the answers for us, and what’s meant to come will come. Trust that it’s for our highest purpose and our good.”
2. Breaking Through Expectations:
“Yeah, but why settle for the fern when you can have the whole oak tree?! Your idea of what a breakthrough 'should' look like might actually be keeping you from receiving it. You’re holding yourself hostage by your expectations of what it’s supposed to be, and that shuts the door to possibilities. That doesn’t mean you stop working towards your dreams, nurturing them, and putting in the effort. But at some point, you need to surrender, trust in the universe’s timing, and let go of rigid expectations. You’re planting seeds now, but don’t miss the opportunity to receive the oak tree when it’s ready for you because you’re too focused on that little seedling.”
3. Perfection vs. Progress:
“We’re all doing what we can, moment to moment, to improve our lives. So, give yourself a break from the pressure of appearing to have it all together. No one has it all together. Life will always throw curveballs, and all you can do is your best with what you have. Learn from those experiences. The beauty is that you not only improve your life but also gain valuable insights to use in your work. Your struggles and challenges aren’t baggage; they’re the diamonds you can use to create meaningful art.”
4. Turning to Life for Lessons:
“It’s great to read books, attend workshops, and reach out to mentors, but why are we going to the middleman when we have full access to the main source—Life itself? Life is the greatest teacher. If you want to learn how to listen, understand needs, overcome obstacles, or explore relationships, turn to Life! Life is the ultimate masterclass, and it holds all the answers you’ll ever need about the craft of acting. Everything you learn from Life is completely applicable.”
5. The Actor’s Purpose:
“Acting asks us to look within ourselves and align with the given circumstances. By revealing both the light and dark sides of the human condition, we serve humanity. We bring awareness to areas of the human experience that still need to evolve. As an actor, you are an instrument of change, bringing light to these aspects of humanity. Art is ultimately service to humankind, and that’s what artistry is about.”
6. True Greatness:
“True greatness comes from the willingness to take a journey within. It’s about understanding who you are deeply and then deciding that you will no longer sacrifice who you are to make others feel comfortable. It’s about not trying to fit into a limited box of what you think the world expects from you. Your truth is the key to becoming everything you want and more. Use your truth as your brand, your vehicle, and your marketability.”
7. Feelings and Needs:
“Feelings are essential for artists because they give us access to the full spectrum of the human condition. But remember, feelings are a result of needs being met or unmet. When an actor says, 'I’m not feeling it!' I often think it’s because they’re too focused on self-awareness and feeling, rather than on pursuing their character’s needs. It’s the pursuit of those needs that drives the feelings, and if you focus too much on your emotions, you’ll miss the bigger picture—the relationship and the pursuit of the character’s needs.”
8. External Validation:
“External validation, like applause, success, and awards, will never be enough if you allow the outside world to determine your worth as an artist. That sense of lack will always be there. You must know in your heart that your work is worthy, regardless of external recognition. Your talent and your journey are enough to validate your pursuit, but that self-worth must come from within, not from the applause or success you receive.”
9. The Audition Mindset:
“When you go into an audition room, shift your mindset. The goal isn’t to 'get' the role. That’s casting’s job. Your job is to reveal the life of the character, to fulfill their needs authentically and truthfully. Approach the role in an exciting, unpredictable, and honest way. Trust that your work is enough to fulfill the audition's demands, and walk out of that room with your head held high, knowing you did your best.”
10. Life as Teacher:
“Life will teach you lessons better than any mentor could. But it’s my job to help you take those life lessons and apply them to your work. By cultivating your craft, you can bring the material you’re given to life by infusing it with your own experiences. The self-discovery you undergo in this process will surprise you. What you’re seeking is already within you because you are alive and full of potential.”
11. Why Are You Doing This?:
“Every artist, every actor, must ask themselves why they’re pursuing this path. Are you doing this to become rich and famous? If so, be aware that this journey depends on external validation, which is a bumpy and powerless path. But if you’re doing this to tell stories, to shift consciousness, or to help just one person by revealing the human condition, then that’s a different story. Your power lies in knowing that you are the instrument of light, revealing your true self through your work. That is your purpose.”
12. Embracing Imperfection:
“You are a human being. It’s in your nature to make mistakes, to fail, to fall down, to get messy and dirty. But I want you to understand something: your desire for perfection is what’s keeping you from doing the work you want to do. Honor your mistakes and failures. Celebrate them. You must allow yourself to be human. A perfect actor is one who embraces their imperfections, who understands that being human is messy, painful, and real. Don't be scared of that; honor it.”
13. Adjustments and Craft:
“Adjustments are there to give you an experience that can open you to the truth of the circumstances. But once the adjustment is made, you must ask yourself: Did it help me understand how to repeat that moment in an unpredictable way next time? The adjustment is not the craft; it’s an exploration of the moment. Your craft is about finding what works for you and your instrument, developing a process that resonates with you. Keep honing your craft so you can continue to grow, but don’t become dependent on adjustments.”
14. Self-Discovery in Art:
“The lessons Life offers will help you grow, but it’s your responsibility to take those lessons and apply them to your work. Cultivate a craft that allows you to bring the material to life by breathing your own experiences into it. In the process, you’ll learn more about yourself, about the relationships you have with your circumstances, and you’ll be surprised by what you discover within you. The answers you’re looking for are already within you because you are alive!”
15. Art as Liberation:
“Art is meant to free us from the enslavement of our mind’s conditioning. It generously allows us to liberate ourselves during the creative process and inspires us to share our soul’s voice with the world.”
16. Strife as Inspiration:
“No one ever said it was going to be easy. There will be seasons of struggle and strife, but it’s from those accumulated moments that your greatest inspirations will arise.”
17. The Artist as a Warrior:
“The moment you take on the role of an artist, you also sign up to be a warrior for the greater good.”
18. Self-Prioritization:
“Dear Human Being, sometimes you must put yourself first—for everyone’s sake. At other times, you must let go of everyone—for your own sake. And sometimes, you must let go of your own self—for God’s sake.”
19. Heart Over Mind:
“Sometimes, the impulses of the heart must outweigh the instincts of the mind.”
20. The Power Within:
“No person or thing can ever separate you from the source of your creation. There is no one powerful enough, nor any organization strong enough, to dismantle what your artistic impulses set out to manifest. The most worthwhile success an artist can experience comes from the trustworthy ally within.”
21. Trusting Yourself:
“Trust yourself without fear or doubt, and everything you do will be right.”
22. Embrace Life’s Ride:
“Ride life’s rollercoaster with your hands high in the sky.”
23. Alchemist of Your Life:
“You are the alchemist of your own life. But if you are not willing to change your reality, who else can?”
24. Becoming the Answer:
“When we cannot find the answer, we must BECOME the answer! Having faith in our own ability to transform obstacles is not ego-driven. It is simply necessary!”
25. Letting Go:
“Here’s the deal: We cannot cling to relationships that are not meant to stick. There should be no shame or guilt in letting go. Sometimes, we are meant to share what we need to and then move on. Sometimes, the cake is baked.”
26. Finding Your Tribe:
“You will know your tribe when you can live your most authentic self in their presence.”
27. Trusting Your Intuition:
“Once you realize that you are your best guide, you will begin to trust your own intuition rather than depending on others’ experiences.”
28. Moving On for Your Well-being:
“If it is not good to you, for you, or about you… it is time to move on in order to open the door to that which is good to you, for you, and about you.”
29. Resistance as Opportunity:
“Every circumstance you meet with resistance is an opportunistic mirror reflecting a path of discovery towards the breakthrough you have been seeking.”
30. Finding Inspiration in the Dark:
“May you see the light in the dark. And may you see the truth over all untruths. May anything that disturbs your peace dissolve. And may all that has invaded your well-being be your greatest inspiration for your own self-realization.”
31. The Conscious Spark:
“Determining where you are right now is the conscious spark in understanding what you need to do to get to where you want to go.”
32. Light and Darkness:
“Just as a ray of light cannot show itself without the help of its opposing force, we also have to come to the realization that our own light shines brightest by our darkest hours, illuminating our true nature.”
33. Beating the Odds:
“What in the world makes you think that you are unworthy of beating the odds? If not you, then who? The odds are not against you. Your thoughts are. Time to change that channel.”
34. Owning Your Power:
“You have to realize and own your power. You are the author of your own life. You are your sense of security. You are what keeps you going. Never give your power away.”
35. Warrior of the Light:
“You become a warrior of the light once you realize the darkness was your path to it.”
36. Facing Fear:
“When you come face-to-face with fear, don’t you dare run away. Look at it in the eye, grin, flip it the bird, and choose to participate in the staring contest of your life.”
37. Perseverance and Growth:
“The choice to persevere or crumble in the face of trying times lives solely in the mind of each and every individual. Before choosing, take note that within every obstacle dwells a portal of growth…An invitation to one’s own awakening.”
38. Overthinking's Danger:
“The danger of overthinking is that it can easily become an addiction, preventing you from trusting your gut instincts.”
39. Truth Over Being Right:
“Short circuit the need to be right and jumpstart the pursuit of the truth. Only then can there be an honest opening of change towards the improvement of present circumstances.”
40. The Artist’s Role:
“It is not for the artist, the awoken soul, and the spiritually connected to join the herd. He or she must be the herder. To be the lighthouse in the storm. To be the conductor orchestrating a movement of goodness and truth.”
41. Awakening to Strength:
“You have not been forgotten. You have been turned around and upside down to awaken you to how strong you truly are. This is the path to your forgotten power.”
42. Darkness as the Path to Light:
“All the darkness that you have experienced has always been your vehicle to the light.”
43. Hardship and Victory:
“Within every human being lives a story of hardship and victory.”
44. Persevering Through Trials:
“Persevere courageously through your darkest trials, for in them awakens your soul’s purpose.”
45. The Caterpillar's Lesson:
“If a caterpillar can do it, so can you!”
46. Competition's Downfall:
“Those that feel competition are walking on their Achilles’ heel.”
47. Losing Purity of Intention:
“Once it becomes burdensome, it has lost its purity of intention.”
48. Crying and Laughing Through Pain:
"Cry because it hurts…and then laugh until it hurts…because you got through it!”
49. Seeking the Truth:
“If you are still seeking the truth, you are most likely missing it.”
50. The Power of Your Light:
“There is no-thing out there big enough, strong enough, or even dark enough to crush the enormity of the light that illuminates within.”
51. Rising Above:
“Those that attempt to bring others down are already living in the depths of their own deep, dark well. Rather than joining them there, light the way to a useful consciousness.”
52. Adversities and Greatness:
“Your greatest adversities map out your journey to discovering your own greatness.”
53. The Universe's Support:
“The universe has no interest in playing mind games with you. It is simply supporting you to fulfill your soul’s purpose.”
54. Self-Reproach and Contribution:
“You were not designed for self-reproach. You were created to contribute to the continuity of universal growth and expansion in your own unique, perfect, and masterful way.”
55. Smothering Your Own Flame:
“You will never burn brightly if you spend all of your energy smothering your own flames.”
56. Inner Peace:
“There are no words, possessions, relationships, or successes that can ever come close to replacing the invaluable nature of one’s inner peace.”
57. Connection to Purpose:
“There is absolutely no mistaking when you are connected to your life’s purpose. Your heart will feel blissful and ache at the same time. That is the language of how love claims its presence.”
58. Fear and the Ego:
“Once fear has slipped into your consciousness, you know the ego is trying to spoon-feed you lies. It is a petty trick that only has merit in a world of decrepit illusions.”
59. Living in Imperfection:
“Every moment alive is an opportunity to practice the perfection of the soul through the imperfections of the human form.”
60. Belief Beyond Self-Esteem:
“You have to believe in yourself beyond self-esteem. You have to journey into who you are to know that all those ‘differences’, all that ‘weirdness’, and even all that ‘internal chaos’ is what makes you a shining star.”
61. Divine Birthright:
"By divine design, you are deserving, worthy, capable, loved, and lovable. That is an absolute undeniable truth. Any institution that cannot recognize this birthright has been poisoned by ignorance.”
62. Smothering Your Fire:
“There will always be something or someone that will try to smother your fire. Don’t get twisted, confused, or brainwashed. See it for what it truly is… A confirmation of how brightly you burn.”
63. Ego and Self-Doubt:
“The only thing that stands in our way is our ego and what we are taught marrying themselves to say that we are not enough. And the truth of the matter is we are more than enough. We have always been more than enough.”
64. Soul Determination and Victory:
“Your heart’s soul determination is the key ingredient in transmuting anything that has caused the illusions of hopelessness into the reality of victory.”
65. Dimming Your Light:
“The only reason someone will attempt to diminish your light is because it is too bright for their awakening eyes at this time.”
66. Self-Love and Boundaries:
“Love yourself enough to choose what/who is good to you, for you, and about you. Never compromise when it comes to these three necessities.”
67. True Strength:
“Don’t get it twisted. Strength is not achieved by a mask of being ‘badass.’ Strength is not achieved by how much muscle we can pack onto our body. Strength is not achieved from all our successes. Strength is not achieved from our social status or political clout. Though these may all be somewhat worthy of celebration at times, they are all temporary and can cloud us into thinking they define who and what we are towards the ‘others.’ It is our perseverance in overcoming the ‘impossible’ that allows for true inner strength to be rewarded, that is not dependent on any external value. The journey to the true Self, remembering, respecting, and opening our heart to love at the core level and being able to spread that love and respect to others. This is the real definition of strength that can never fade. It cannot compete with any transient token. All else lives in shadows compared to this mind-blowing journey. Never give up on what is good and true. And no matter how trying, no matter how hard things may seem or get, never ever give up on your Self. You will find all the strength you need, even the strength you had no idea you had, just by the journey itself.”
68. Awareness and Self-Reliance
“As your awareness ripens, you will begin to see that everything you expected to receive from others can actually be given to yourself, without the risk of disappointment.”
69. Personal Storms as Growth
“Do not mistake your personal storm as punishment. These circumstances are the wake-up call necessary for you to understand that you are your own healer. You are your own hero.”
70. The Creative Warrior's Resilience
“When most exclaim, ‘I am done!’ the creative warrior quietly states, ‘I am just beginning.’”
71. Moving Mountains
“You were meant to move mountains. Don’t get overwhelmed by the enormity of your mission. Get encouraged by your victory over it. You’re about to emerge as the slayer of limitations.”
72. Trust Your Inner Guardian
“Stop creating stories in your mind to protect circumstances from being what they are. You were given feelings and instincts as a divine cell tower connecting you to the Truth. Don’t be afraid to trust that internal guardian.”
73. Beauty Within the Ashes
“Once you make it out of the fire, you will come to realize the beauty within the ashes.”
74. Spiritual Alignment and Authenticity
“Being spiritually aligned doesn’t mean we need to put up with BS to save face. It means keeping it real face-to-face. Oh, and it also doesn’t mean we need to quit drinking coffee.”
75. The Journey of Life
“You will live. You will struggle. You will not give up. You will learn. You will overcome. You will help others suffering. You will love. You will go home. You will finally rest. You will remember it was worth it.”
76. Mastering Your Own Creation
“Stop wasting your time seeking the approval of others. Use that energy to become your own masterful creation, worthy of contributing great things to this planet.”
77. Innate Wisdom and Life Changes
“While you are preoccupied listening to everyone else’s way, you are ignoring the innate wisdom that already has your way. You will begin to see changes in your life once you accept that you have already been given what you are looking for.”
78. Letting Go for Renewal
“Is it ok to let it all go? Absolutely. Let it all go. Let yourself go. Give yourself a chance to breathe. Allow yourself freedom from the shackles of expectation. Dissolve lies of inferiority. Release the weight of heavy relationships. Give yourself space to restore, renew, and recalibrate. Transform your circumstances into the fruit of your own stunning creation. Trust in your unique journey.”
79. The Power of Love
“One drop of love from your heart could feel like an ocean to another. There is no need to be so cautious when giving from what you were created.”
80. Realizing the Secret Within
“Maybe there are no big secrets hiding out waiting to be revealed. Maybe you just have to make things less complicated, less mysterious. Maybe you have to realize that you are the secret. Maybe that is the secret waiting to be revealed.”
81. The Simplicity of Truth
“The truth is simple. It does not need bells and whistles to reveal itself. It does, however, require awareness to decipher between it and a representation of it.”
82. The Artist's Mission
“This is the job of the artist: To see what others are not willing to see. To face what others are not willing to face. To use an anthem of love and compassion, marching into the emotional trenches of the human condition, and facing it head-on in pursuit of a better tomorrow.”
83. Transforming Struggles into Strengths
“One day you will come to realize that all those things you thought would destroy you are the very ingredients for your greatest contributions.”
84. Becoming the Light in the Storm
“It is our responsibility to become what we are fighting for rather than mirroring what we are against. We must be the lighthouse in the storm, rather than allowing ourselves to get swept up and lost in all its darkness.”
85. Unconditional Love and Compassion
“No matter how much it can hurt at times, YOU have to keep your heart open in order to live compassionately, forgive, inspire, encourage, support, and love without the expectation of receiving an open heart, compassion, forgiveness, inspiration, support, or love in return. YOU have to be the light when others cannot find it.”
86. Embracing Imperfection
“Be beautifully ugly. Be gracefully messy. Be perfectly imperfect. And don’t you dare apologize… for any of it!”
87. Finding Perfection in Truth
“Your truth is your perfection. In the very thing you consider your obstacle lives your opening.”
88. The Intimate Relationship with Yourself
“The closest and most intimate relationship you will ever experience is with your own self, aligned with your innate Spirit. This relationship must be nurtured to become one of limitless trust in order to faithfully know what serves your best and highest good.”
89. Curing Hatred and Bigotry
“Hatred and bigotry are the ultimate flaws of the soul, producing diseases of the mind in the form of ignorance, fear, and violence. The cure starts right now, with each and every one of us standing up and transmuting such deplorable poisons.”
90. The Artist's Responsibility to Humanity
“Through our work, we as artists and co-creators have, and always have had, the influence and responsibility to shift humanity toward a more peaceful, compassionate, and loving consciousness.”
91. Remembering the Power of the Heart
“He appeared… ‘But why have you forgotten the power of your heart? Can you not feel it begging to be remembered? It already houses the answers to all that you are trying to ‘figure out’. It is not through your ambition of overcoming the obstacle, dear one… it is through your heart that it is all transmuted.’ …and then He vanished.”
92. Rising Above Mental Drama
“Engaging in the mental drama of futile issues is like requesting a dose of poison and expecting to feel vibrant. Rise above. Heal your heart, silence your mind, and awaken to the innate peace within by meditating on what is of true importance.”
93. Finding Your Own Path
“No one can tell you how to get there. One can only suggest a way. There is not ‘THE’ way to get there. There is ‘A’ way. But in the end, YOU choose what in your heart will get you there.”
94. Transmuting Broken Trust
“Once the trust vow is broken, rather than spending energy on mending a false relationship, use that same energy to transmute internal misalignments that continue to invite these relationships into your experience.”
95. Creative Liberation through Adversity
“You will come to realize that everything you thought would destroy you will become the ingredients for your greatest contributions. Within all that messy turmoil, if you dig deep enough, you will find the key to your own creative liberation. And once you have learned your lessons well, you will use all you have learned, married with your heart and soul, to compassionately help others find their own special key.”
96. Aligning with Your Purpose
“No one can find the way to your purpose for you. This is your life’s journey, and you have taken on the responsibility as a soul in human form to get back to matching the vibration of creation itself in order to achieve what you were meant to accomplish. It is through this path that you align with ultimate fulfillment.”
97. Transformation Starts Now
“Are you stuck? Overwhelmed by obstacles? Getting in your own way? Feeling lost, frustrated, discouraged, and even defeated? If you are ready for the truth… and ready for transformation… If you are really ready… Then the time is now. To get inspired. To get creative. To get empowered. And to get back to you. You are not as powerless as you’ve been led to believe!”
98. Surrendering to the Moment
“We cannot plan the moment, just as, despite what we may think, we cannot plan our life. However, we can surrender with purpose to the moment, because in that surrender lives all the possibilities that we think ‘planning’ will give us.”
99. Finding Peace Through Surrender
“Eventually, things become so complicated, so terrifying, so chaotic, that everything short circuits… Everything stops. Suddenly, there is foreign silence. A strange peace. An unfamiliar perspective. You begin to breathe. You begin to surrender. You begin to connect to a divine intelligence within that changes the channel from ‘Why me?’ to ‘OK, I’m listening.’”100. “It is not so much our naked body that reveals our story or vulnerability. That may be the ego trying to compare and validate itself in physical form. It is the courage of exposing our naked heart—with all its grit and glory—that fearlessly reveals our true self, our struggles, and our most intimate authenticity.”
100. The Sacred Call to Act
"I think it takes a very special actor… I think it takes an actor… that has a very open heart… I think it takes an actor… that is willing to step into the unknown and take that risk over and over again… I think it takes an actor… that will be vulnerable, sensitive, and honest… I think it takes an actor… that will dig deep into themselves… and commit to seeing humanity as an unfiltered reflection of who we really are… all the while serving the story through their personal soul’s compass. Acting is not just a job. It is a calling. If you are called to the work, to the craft, then take it seriously… it is not just an art form; it is a sacred art form that you get to share with the world. I think when you approach your art with that sense of purpose and responsibility, your work will have a life force of its own."
101. Awakening and Illuminating Truth
“If you are among the awoken and conscious, you are not meant to fit in. You are here to awaken and bring consciousness to those confused in the slumber of the ego, following the shadows cast by the light. You are here as a warrior to illuminate the totality of light so all those shadows dissolve into the all-encompassing truth.”
102. Love at the Core
“When really considered, everything we do in life has love at its core. Every action we take, somehow, someway, is about love—either getting it or not getting it, either giving it or not giving it. Whether it is receiving it or giving it, it is all about love. Love is who we are. It always has been and always will be. Fact check that as a REAL political statement!”
103. Storms and Self-Healing
“Do not mistake your personal storm as punishment. These circumstances are the wake-up call necessary for you to understand that you are your own healer. You are your own hero.”
104. Transcendence Within
“I want you to know that everything you are going through, you can transcend. You do not need someone to show you the way. The way is already within your heart. Listen and feel its message. You may need to crack it open. It may even hurt a bit. But inside your heart center is the recollection of the way. I promise you, it is there, waiting to be remembered.”
105. Faith in Yourself
“As an artist, as a creative human being, you must practice faith in yourself rather than squandering it on outside influences. At the core level, you are everything you will ever need. Imagine that! You—here and now—have always had and always will have exactly what you need when you need it.”
106. Moving Mountains
“You were meant to move mountains. Do not get overwhelmed by the enormity of your mission. Get courage from your victory over it. You are about to emerge as the slayer of limitations.”
107. Transitions in Relationships
“People will come in and out of your life for very specific reasons. As relationships transition, try not to hold onto an illusion of what they were ‘supposed’ to be. Allow the relationship to pass and celebrate in gratitude the lessons learned, while also creating space for a new teacher to emerge, one that is ready to match and challenge your evolution.”
108. Embracing the Unknown
“Your trying to ‘figure it all out’ is the very thing that is getting in the way. Let’s keep it real… It’s okay to not know. Be a student of the unknown. It’s more fun that way!”
109. Success and Helping Others
“What matters is not the magnitude or identity of your successes, but what you do with them to help others experience their own.”
110. Compassion and Healing
“Like a wounded child, others may become reactive because of their pain. A hurt heart knows no rationality as it yearns to be witnessed and healed. We all need the awareness that everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they’ve been given. So have heart, and give heart to those who may be lost in their suffering.”
111. Wisdom Through Compassion
“It is not so much our knowledge that makes us wise, but our compassion. Our compassion is the teacher’s edition to the collective problem of unawareness that humans still exhibit toward one another. It is our greatest tool, our greatest education, our greatest strategy for a better tomorrow.”
112. Collaboration, Not Competition
“Why focus your energies on trying to be ‘better’ than another? That’s just insecure energy from your own personal drama. Perhaps commit to the choice of being better than YOU were yesterday in mind, body, and spirit. And if you can help someone else along the way, even better! Our only real job is to self-evolve and then help each other do the same. It’s NOT about competition—it’s all about COLLABORATION. But we’ve gotten lost in the brain fog of militant/political/social power, status, greed, etc., which are all low energies, corrosive, egoic, and very fleeting. Self-evolution, accompanied by and resulting in a collective evolution—that’s eternal. Coming together in support of each other, now watch the world change from fear to flourishing creation. Until then, we go on sleepwalking, fighting, hating, poisoning, and destroying, rather than awakening, living in peace, healing, loving, and creating in harmony. A dream? Maybe. A reality? Possibly. A choice? Definitely!”
113. The Power Within
“Rise above what you are told and perceive as limitations. Know in your heart that the same inexplicable, miraculous power that created you is the same power within you and has the miraculous ability to make all your impossibilities possible.”
114. Every Moment is a New Chance
“Every moment we get is a second chance to make now better than before. Never take it for granted, as our time here is quick. And never make excuses for not moving forward. We are the heroes of our own life’s story and must take accountability for its realization. Stay strong. Persevere. Overcome your ‘impossibilities.’”
115. Creating Your Own Path
“When one door closes, do not waste a moment getting swallowed up by the lies of self-doubt. Cut a hole in the wall and make your own damn door! That’s how fierce you are!”
116. Light in the Darkest Hours
“Just as a ray of light cannot show itself without the help of its opposing force, we must come to the realization that our own light shines brightest in our darkest hours, illuminating our true nature.”
117. Life’s Unprepared Lessons
“You can read all the books in the world, but they will never prepare you for the actual lessons life itself will teach. Stay open, aware, and conscious. You will find your way.”
118. The Human Story
“Within every human being lives a story of hardship and a story of victory.”
119. Clutter of the Ego
“What you seek is already there for you, hidden beneath the clutter of all the thoughts that serve nothing other than empowering a disembodied ego fighting a dirty fight to be something other than a minuscule, disembodied thought.”
120. Trusting the Journey
“Even though it will take a lifetime, never give up on what your heart believes is good and true. Along the way, there will be many twists and turns challenging your belief system all the while adjusting it. Trust that all has been set in place so that your soul can discover and experience the greatest possible evolution contracted for its journey.”
121. Beautifully Imperfect
“Be beautifully ugly. Be gracefully messy… Be perfectly imperfect… And don’t you dare apologize… For any of it…”
122. The Healing Process
“Dear Human Being… Dear Artist… Healing is not always going to be experienced as what may be labelled as ‘positive’. It has taken an enormous accumulation of traumatic and emotional toxins to result in a present state of stagnation. As these stored poisons energetically release from Life, there might possibly be an unpleasant cleanse mirroring the cause. Be what it may, trust in the light within the healing process. There awaits not only personal and artistic freedom, but also a delicious sense of peace and wellbeing to be enjoyed within daily Life.”
123. Light and Love in Action
“NOW is the time to put into practice words like ‘light and love’. We must come together and marry the power of our minds with the power of our hearts in pursuit of shifting destructive energies to that which will protect and heal our beloved brothers and sisters from any and all present and future catastrophic obstacles.”
124. The Creative Warrior’s Beginning
“When most exclaim: ‘I am done!’ The creative warrior quietly states: ‘I am just beginning.’”
125. Clutching to the Familiar
“It is actually our clutching to the familiar that causes our own demise as it deprives us of the evolution that can only happen by experiencing Life through the lessons stimulated by the unknown.”
126. Embracing Solitude and Growth
“Life is too short to be waiting around for others to catch up to where you have already evolved. Do not be bitter in your solitude. Be active in doing something positive with it. Be the teacher of truth. Be the spark of transformation. Be the lighthouse in the storm.”
127. Overcoming Resistance
“Becoming honestly aware of where we allow resistance to be our ‘safe’ space is the first step in overcoming all that stands in the way of our personal evolution.”
128. Becoming the Answer
“When we cannot find the answer, we must BECOME the answer. Having faith in our own ability to transform obstacles is not ego-ic. It is simply necessary.”
129. Stimulus for Change
"For change and growth to occur, there MUST be a stimulus that initiates a pursuit into what’s good and true. Often this knocks on one’s life door as a tidal wave of obstacles. The more difficult one’s journey may seem, the stronger one becomes. Stay intent! The power of patience, passion, and perseverance must never be underestimated.”
130. Scars and Compassion
“Allow your scars to be your guide for compassion.”
131. Auditioning for Life’s Roles
“Maybe it is not so much that you are auditioning as a test to see if you are good enough for a specific role… but that the universe is auditioning the specific role as a test to be sure that the role is good enough for you.”
132. The Path of the Lone Lightbearer
“One’s solitude is the tangible sign that an individual’s path is not meant to join that of the herd’s. He or she is missioned to be an instrument of light illuminating the path back to the true Self… leading the journey home… communing in the One.”
133. The Miracle of Obstacles
“The miracle of the most complex obstacle is… It awakens the seeker of truth and authenticity within. It stimulates the warrior of light and wellbeing. It ignites the path to self-love. It leads to a journey home.”
134. Self-Trust and Intuition
“There can be no greater peace of mind than the self-trust one inevitably obtains through the unrelenting practice of universal awareness resulting in a perfectly aligned and abundantly useful intuition.”
135. The Actor’s Journey
"My approach of working with actors is that I don’t believe there is THE way to get there in the work. I believe there is A way, and that way is really about what resonates and stimulates the actor to do, and continue to do, unpredictable, exciting, truthful, authentic, honest work in relation to the written material or the circumstances at hand. I think when we start to hone in on just one way, it does us a disservice as actors because it locks us into thinking that if ‘this way’ doesn’t work, then we are not good at what we do, and that’s not true. I think with any kind of art form, we find what works for us, what we can rely on, what has our back, and we continue to use that and cultivate it to create a toolbox and a support system for an art form that we love. That’s really what my objective is—my spine of this entire studio is about serving the actor individually and continuing to allow them to expand, grow, exercise, and challenge their instrument to explore the entire color wheel of the human condition in a safe and challenging environment. I think that’s what makes us unique, because it takes all these approaches and gives the actor an opportunity to experiment with those approaches to see what really resonates and works for him or her. It's inspiring because you see how different we all are, with a common goal of revealing the truth of this ‘pretend’ world and bringing it alive with ultimate truth that we call ‘acting.’"
136. Acting and Authenticity
"No, I don’t think acting is about pretending. I think acting is about just the opposite of that. Acting asks of us to look at the human condition in a way that doesn’t allow for a pretty little filter to be put upon what life really holds. Life really holds a series of struggles, trials, tribulations, and for many people, a lot of suffering. As an actor, we have to really look at that with a magnifying glass and find that within us in order to reveal it. That’s not for the faint of heart—it takes a lot of will, strength, courage, and self-introspection to find that within oneself and then have the strength and bravery to reveal it without filter, in all its messiness, grit, and glory. The beauty of that is, when you have this type of art form, it gives the possibility that someone witnessing that art form will be changed. Transformation can happen for another, individually and collectively. To be able to have someone witness your experience validates it, allowing you to know that you’re not alone on this journey we call ‘Life.’ The beauty of acting is that’s what we’re doing all the time—we’re telling stories of human beings going through struggles and strife and saying, ‘Hey Listen, this is what WE go through, and you’re not alone!’ And the hope is that somehow, by witnessing that from an audience perspective, some kind of healing will happen or at least an awakening. Acting not only becomes this amazing art form, but it also becomes an amazing service to humanity and mankind as a whole."
137. The Actor’s True Self
“I think one of the biggest obstacles actors face is this idea that they are not enough. That who they are, at the core level, is not enough to bring to the material at hand. And so that’s when acting no longer becomes fun. That’s when acting becomes complicated. That’s when acting becomes really heavy and stiff, and there’s like this paralysis in the space because they are trying to fit themselves into this idea approach of what they think is supposed to be revealed in regards to the circumstances. What’s missing is we’re looking for you to reveal yourself in those circumstances. We’re looking for you to bring the accumulation of your life experiences and put them in these circumstances and see what happens. It’s when we get away from the idea and the blueprint of how we think things are supposed to go and what we are supposed to be that we start to experience this exhalation in the work. We start to experience this freedom in the work. We start to experience fun in the work because we then allow ourselves to ride the rollercoaster of the scene. We’re not shackled by ideas. We’re running free by using ourselves as the instrument and seeing where it goes in those circumstances. And when we allow ourselves to really own who we are, acting no longer becomes complicated. It makes sense. Things make sense. It becomes easy. It becomes fun. It becomes free. So I think the more we escape from the idea of what we think we are supposed to be and own who we are, the more our work becomes this alive thing that we get to witness. And it’s beautiful because we see this human being having a real experience in a public way. It’s kind of cool!”
138. The Light After Darkness
“Sometimes it is through the darkest and most inexplicable of circumstances that we are led to the light. Those same circumstances that we may think are breaking our hearts are the same circumstances that are actually breaking our hearts open. Opening our minds, bodies, and spirits and awakening us to something greater than we could have ever imagined. Those same circumstances begin to help lead the path to a greater purpose, which otherwise would have never even been a thought. And sometimes those same circumstances lead us to a tribe. A tribe that meets through the most unlikely and even treacherous of circumstances. A tribe that is generous in knowledge, creativity, heart, compassion, and spirit. And because of those circumstances, we RECOGNIZE each other. We SEE each other. We UNDERSTAND each other. We CARE about each other. We SUPPORT each other. And yes, we LOVE each other from one human to another. And together, we learn that once we make it out of the fire, there will be and is beauty within the ashes that result in our greatest contributions!”
140. Embracing Imperfection in Acting
“I think one of the most crucial things any actor can do is probably one of the most important things an actor can do. It’s really come to terms and endow their own humanity. And what I mean by that is giving themselves a break to understand that they are not perfect and they don’t have to be perfect. That they are allowed to not have it together all the time. That they are allowed to be messy sometimes. That they are allowed to not look like they are on the cover of Vogue or GQ. That it is okay for them to have uncomfortable feelings sometimes. That it’s okay for them to fumble, fall down, or even fail sometimes. I think we get so brainwashed by, especially social media, that we are supposed to be a certain way, look a certain way, and be so perfect. We are supposed to be literally Face-Tuned and Life-Tuned to God knows what, and that actually affects us as artists. Because it basically says that ‘We need to live in our artificiality to do the work we are supposed to be doing.’ And the truth of the matter is, the real work is going to come from our authenticity. And our authenticity is that we are perfectly imperfect. We are imperfectly perfect by being who we are. And I think when we do that as actors, we really start to give ourselves permission to really be and own who we are. There is a sense of self that we bring to the work that actually brings our work alive more than we could have ever imagined. This is why I always encourage everyone I am working with to just go to a coffee shop, go to a grocery store, go to a restaurant, and just look at people. Look at their interactions. Look at the way they relate to other people. Look at the way they relate to themselves when they are by themselves. Nobody has it ‘together,’ and nobody is ‘perfect.’ We all have ‘quirks,’ but that makes us beautiful. That is what makes us human. That is what makes us interesting to watch. That is what makes stories interesting. It’s that we are all observing this dynamic that brings us all together in our imperfections and brings us together by knowing, like, ‘Oh, man, you don’t have it together? I don’t have it together! Your story is interesting. How do you try to get it together? Because this is my story, and this is how I try to get it together.’”
Here are the titles and quotes for the next batch:
141. Discovering Your Power
“Listen, I can tell you right off the bat, you are not even giving yourself credit for what you are capable of right now. You are using the words: ‘I can’t,’ as an excuse for you not to take a step deeper into who you are and to know who you are and to come into the power of who you are. You have to realize that within you lives everything and anything. You just have to be willing to actually start digging deeper so you can access those amazing qualities, but also the most unmentionable parts of who you are that you can then bring to your work. You know, we are so taught that the answers live outside of ourselves, that we are always looking outside of us to fulfill us, but the truth of the matter is we have to start learning to dig deeper within and know who we are. Learn our power and then be willing to own that, to bring that to our work. But you have to know something: If you stop where you are right now, you are literally giving yourself an excuse to not succeed. You have to give yourself every excuse TO succeed, and that means going further and further and deeper and deeper and never stopping until you come to terms with everything that you are. YOU ARE NOT AS MINIMAL AS YOU ARE ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BELIEVE. And once you come close to even tasting how powerful you are as a human being and as an artist, your whole world is going to start lighting up!”
142. Pilot Season Empowerment
"So, it’s Pilot Season! For many actors, this is a time of great opportunity and excitement. But for others, it can be a time of disappointment, disregard, and even depression. Whatever the case may be, I want you to realize that you are the pilot of your season. This means you have the opportunity to control how you experience your reality during this time based on how you utilize your thoughts and energies. Are you squandering them in overwhelm, jealousy, competition, stress, and helplessness? Or are you being fruitful with those energies by using them towards the creative process, whether it's opportunities coming to you from an outside source or opportunities you are more than capable of creating for yourself? My point is that you are not a helpless victim in this industry! You are an active participant in this industry, capable of creating a reality that serves you based on how you align your thoughts, energies, and potentials to work for you."
143. Defining Moments in Art
"I think it is those moments when you feel like you just cannot go any further—the moments when you feel like you are going to crumble to the ground, fall apart—that actually become the moments that define you as an actor and an artist. It is in those moments that you are asked to question what you are doing and why you are doing it. When you confront those questions, you get in touch with the love you have for the art form you’ve chosen. It asks you to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, no matter the circumstances surrounding you, and find that fire within you, that passion, that perseverance to overcome any obstacles standing in your way. That way, you can laser-focus your mind and your intention on fulfilling the pursuit of your dream, whether it’s acting, music, painting, or whatever form of art you are pursuing. Those are the moments that expand your vocabulary as an artist and help you understand the human condition. In those moments, you realize how strong you are."
144. The Power of Transformation
"We have all witnessed some incredible victories, evolutions, expansions, awakenings, healings, and transformations around our great big globe. Some of them are due to nature’s divine intervention, some to happenstance, and some to the ever-present light and goodness within humanity. But we have also seen inexplicable tragedies, losses, suffering, despair, confusion, anger, rage, destruction—some due to natural disasters, some to happenstance, and some due to the ever-present darkness and evils within humanity. And amid this rollercoaster of ups and downs, one thing remains certain: we’ve made it through to another year on this great big globe. Depending on the lens we choose to see life through, it could either be a blessing or a struggle. We always say the coming year will be the year, and it is. It is the year because it’s all we have, and we are still here, kicking and breathing—we are alive. This new year, like every new year, gives us a chance to take what we've learned through all the highs and lows and build upon it. Let’s not make obligatory resolutions, but make personal choices that allow each of us to be better than we were yesterday, not just for ourselves but for all. We can take a look at what we don’t want in life and choose what we do want. We can face what no longer serves us and cast it out to make room for what does. It’s time to stop settling for impossibility and to find the internal strength and power we each possess to lift each other to our highest potential. Let's rise to the occasion of what it means to be evolved, living in an evolved world. With everything we’ve been given—the good and the bad, the dark and the light—let's use it all as the creative flame to rise like the Phoenix to our most beautiful selves today. The power to transform lives within the palm of our hands."
145. The Path of Personal Transformation
"Sometimes, you have to take a good, hard look at things for what they truly are in order to identify how they are affecting your life. You have to be willing to make important and often challenging choices that are good for you, about you, and to you. You have to be willing to let go of toxic thoughts, relationships, and behaviors. You have to be the stimulus to your own transformation. You have to become the answer you are seeking. You have to claim your own personal power to become the person you want to be, the artist you want to be, the creative warrior you want to be. You have to know who you really are, what you are truly capable of, and what is innately within you in order to start accessing that personal journey to freedom. And sometimes that means you have to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and #smudge all the toxic $h!+ away. And then, if and when someone else is ready, help them do the same."
146. The Power of Feedback
"Listen, as actors and artists, we are constantly confronted with feedback, opinions, criticisms, and reviews. But we have a choice to make. Do we allow ourselves to take that information and use it to better who we are? Not that we aren't whole as we are, but there is always room for growth. Do we examine it and see how it can expand us as artists and people? Or do we allow that information to be an anchor that sinks our ship? When we do that, we start to believe that we are not enough. It’s like looking into a broken mirror. When we look into that broken mirror, what do we see? A distorted reflection of ourselves. But is that the truth? Is the distortion the truth? Or is the observer the truth? When we believe things that tell us we are broken or not enough, we start running on a rollercoaster that leads to destruction. As the great Bianca Del Rio says, ‘Not Today Satan!’ You have to choose wisely. Take the note, but do not hold onto it!"
147. The Actor as a ‘Storyliver’
"Let's discuss the necessary self-exploration when it comes to approaching character and the world he, she, or they reside in. It is not so much about the actor being just a ‘storyteller’ as an instrument for what a writer has created. It is beyond that. It is about allowing oneself to be a ‘storyliver’ in the world of the circumstances. It is also not so much about the actor trying to find a way to morph that writing and that character so it is a ‘comfortable fit.’ But more so, about really exploring within to discover that character’s essence, life, and truth within the actor so that character’s life can then be revealed and lived fully and truthfully in the space by the actor. It is a self-discovery process married with awareness, observation, research, taking in all aspects of oneself and life, and of course, the power of how it all stimulates the actor’s imagination. The process can be intimidating at times depending on the circumstances. One that requires the actor to courageously dive deep within. And also one that asks the actor to go about compassionately understanding humanity and how all humans function individually based on one’s own history, experiences, tools, and the ability to survive day to day as life unfolds. As the actor goes on this journey, he, she, or they will find that everything needed already resides within so long as the heartfelt commitment to finding the truth is present. This is where transformation happens not only within the actor, not only within the artist, not only within the work itself, but also within all those witnessing the moving artistry and truth that the actor lives on the stage and screen."
148. The Power of Art in Healing
"With all the recent tragic events happening in our world, we had quite an emotionally charged week at the studio. All these horrific events beg to question what does it all mean? Why does it all happen? When will it change? Will it ever get better? Does it get better? When will we learn? When will we wake up? What am I doing? What can I do? Does it even matter? Well, it does matter. And you matter. And it will get better. It does get better. I hope this lecture serves as a reminder to know that you matter. I hope it serves to inspire you to know that your work matters. As actors, as artists, as co-creators, we all have a calling and even a mission, that is capable of shifting some of the darkest realities and consciousness that humanity still has to face with the objective of creating a better today and tomorrow…provided that we take on that role responsibly and with commitment, accountability, respect, compassion, awareness, insight, and pure
intent. Never forget that you, your voice, your instrument, your actions, and your work are infinitely more powerful than you have been led to believe. Never underestimate that your individual creative power has the potential to uplift and even heal those who you may never even know in this lifetime. But like a pebble being gently tossed into a vast pond, that ripple effect will reach all those whom it is meant to reach. Stay the course. Stay an integral part of the process. Stay intent. Stay awake. Stay in that creative transformative light. You can move mountains… I know you can… And we will…"
149. Confronting Obstacles
"There are going to be times during the journey that we are going to confront many bumps in the road. These peaks and valleys will very often challenge our relationship to acting. Why wouldn’t they? Our work uses the Self as the instrument to create the music of life for our artistry while also serving to live the story in the safety of givens…for the purpose of community and the awareness of all the trials and tribulations of the human condition. And that Self is the very beautiful, very complex, very layered, very sensitive, and very vulnerable human instrument. The work in and of itself will inevitably bring up a myriad of complex obstacles and therefore a self-exploration that asks us to question why we have taken on this journey of being an actor/artist. The industry and business side of being an actor/artist is a whole other mountain that can really trigger a myriad of circumstances causing a lot of dissonance within the relationship to our work. These difficult times can manifest complicated thoughts and feelings such as frustration, depression, competition, anger, resentment, self-esteem issues, and more often than not, a love/hate relationship to the work. It can also trigger very complex issues within the Self creating a very interesting labyrinth of self-exploration that necessitates the need for observing, understanding, and even possibly healing those triggers that threaten our relationship to our work/art and go so far as to stimulate unproductive self-deprecating and self-destructive thoughts/feelings/emotions/behavior. Whether it is stemming from the work itself, the industry/business side of things, our own personal history, or any other known or hidden factors, they all ask us to question what we are doing and why. I encourage you that when times get rough, always try to go back to that first time you chose to follow the path of your artistry. Remind yourself why you made the choice to do it and connect to that within your mind, body, and spirit. Connect to that reason that first inspired you, excited you, motivated you, stimulated you, and called you to the craft. And then hold that dear in your heart."
151. The Role of Suffering in the Work
“Why do we talk and explore so much about suffering in the work?” It's a great question and one that deserves an explanation that makes sense and can actually be applied to our process. Not answering this question does a great disservice to the actor, the artist, and the human being. In my opinion, not addressing it misleads an actor or artist about what they need to understand viscerally in order to bring a profound level of truth to their work and truly grasp the essence of the journey. This is a question worth exploring by any human being, if they are willing.
This kind of questioning is not for the faint of heart. It forces us to confront people, places, and experiences that cause discomfort. It awakens us from sleepwalking through life and helps us achieve a higher consciousness of the human experience. We might want to share peace and love through our work, and that’s an admirable and beautiful goal. But the truth is, the real work is about understanding human beings striving and overcoming countless obstacles—at every moment, in fact—in order to experience peace and love.
In my 41 years on this Earth, I’ve yet to meet a single human being who hasn’t experienced suffering in one form or another. And I’ve yet to meet anyone not trying to improve their current reality in some way. Suffering is one thing we all have in common, aside from our biological makeup, and it cannot be contested. It drives every single story that has ever been written. Humans go through a lot, and to deny that is to deny the truth of the human condition.
Even monks, who meditate and appear to be at "peace," maintain that peace only through constant effort, working to ensure that peace remains undisturbed. From the moment we are born, we are thrust into a series of sufferings and desires. Think about it: We go from the comfort of our mother's womb, where everything is provided, to the uncertainty of life outside, which is like being tossed into a chaotic experience—almost like white-water rafting down a turbulent river. We emerge into this world with our peace disturbed, immediately wanting: air, warmth, shelter from the brightness, and food. At that moment, we probably wish we could go back to where we came from, but here we are. We cry out, hoping for help, striving to make things better.
I use this as an example in class because it's a straightforward illustration of how we're born into trials and tribulations, and those will be a part of our human journey until the next unknown phase of existence—something we can only hope is a little easier. From birth, we innately understand that we must take action to improve our situation. As you read this, I’m sure something comes to mind. If not, consider where this desire for action may be hidden in your consciousness, waiting for you to realize it.
Some people make choices that are "healthy" in an attempt to improve their circumstances. Others may choose "unhealthy" options for the same goal. But in both cases, the human objective is clear: to improve one’s reality. Some have faced only minor hardships, while others have endured profound, even unmentionable trials. Regardless, we all fight to overcome. We each have a fight song—a personal anthem—that carries us through life’s challenges and helps us transform our reality, even if just a little at a time, so we can experience peace and love.
Take the time to understand a character’s fight song that gets them through their journey. And, if you haven’t already, take time to discover your own. What motivates you to keep going? What encourages you? What brings you solace in difficult times? What slogan reminds you to press on? What helps you when nothing else seems to? If you understand this in your life, it will make sense in your work. It won’t be an intellectual exercise; it will drop into your gut and set you free in the process, connecting you to your humanity and that of others.
152. Letting Go to Break Free
One of the most complex challenges we face as artists is the notion of finding a way to get out of our own way. Time and time again, this topic arises when we address the myriad of obstacles that inhibit the freedom we desperately crave in our work and in our lives. In my eighteen years of teaching and coaching, I’ve found that this question often emerges as common ground: “What do I do to break free?”
The best advice I can offer is to let go of your attachments to how you think things should be or how you believe they are supposed to go. I know that when we face such questions, it is often because we are experiencing a moment that feels complicated, difficult, stifling, or even painful. During these times, we instinctively cling to what feels familiar, believing it will serve as a life preserver, keeping us afloat in the unknown. But sometimes, holding on to the familiar is the very thing that keeps us stuck in the situation we're trying to escape.
So, I offer these questions back in response to the original question: What is keeping you from letting go of how or what you think things should be? Why is it so difficult to release control? What if you just let go? What if you embraced the unknown? What if beyond the wall of your rigid belief system lies the key to your freedom, healing, and creative bliss? What if the unknown is not the enemy you define it as, but the very “hallelujah” you’ve been seeking?
We often hold on tightly to “things”—experiences, thoughts, relationships—believing they are the anchors that keep us safe, stable, and sound. But these very things may also be holding us back from our greatest potential. It’s like an anchor that holds a ship in its harbor. Yes, the anchor serves its purpose, but when the ship is ready to sail to new destinations, it must be released. Similarly, to move forward in our lives and work, we must be willing to let go of the anchors that are no longer serving us.
I understand that letting go is difficult. It’s scary. But we must trust that the unknown holds the answers we seek. We must trust that if we move on, what is meant to come to us will come, and that it will serve our highest purpose. It will be for our good. To get there, we must be willing to do the work—to face what is no longer serving us and let it go to make room for what does.
This process requires strength, perseverance, self-trust, and self-love. Yes, others may support us, but the truth is, it all begins with us. It can only happen through us. So, do yourself a favor and break free from any anchors that aren’t good for you, aren’t meant for you, and don’t serve your true self. Then, climb over the tall wall, no matter how difficult it may seem. Use your blood, sweat, and tears to find your freedom and finally meet your true, realized self, and actualized dreams on the other side. Once you get there, you will wonder why you held on to everything else for as long as you did
154. The Missing Ingredient: Craft
Last week, I received a call from an actress referred to me by a longtime student and private client. From the moment we began speaking, I could tell that she deeply respected the art of acting. I could hear in her voice that burning hunger that I love to witness in an actor—a desire to go deeper and deeper into the work. Along with her remarkable talent, it was clear that her instincts and intuition had taken her far in her career.
She had found success on several TV shows and now had a rare opportunity to bring her talents to the stage in a city where the standards are incredibly high. She had signed the contracts, and in just a few months, she would be playing a very complicated and layered role in a new two-and-a-half-hour drama—minus a much-needed fifteen-minute intermission. And yes, she had to perform eight shows a week. There would be no “Action!” or “Cut!” There would be no editing to perfect the performance. It would just be her, the ensemble, the set, the props, the lighting, and the sound, living in the arc of the text without stopping for two and a half hours each show. About two thousand people would pay between $150-$300 to watch her do it. No room to hide, no room to stop and start over. It was happening in real-time, and the stakes were incredibly high. That’s the beautiful danger of theater life. It tests the actor’s technical accountability to make it through such a challenging process.
I could feel the panic in her voice as she shared her struggles: “I just don’t know what I’m doing! I can’t get there on my own. I take class. I’ve taken classes all over. I get these notes, and sometimes I have no idea what they mean. And in many classes, I’m scared to ask for clarification because I don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers. But shouldn’t these notes make sense? Shouldn’t I know what I’m doing by now? And when I have a breakthrough, it feels random. I’m dependent on adjustments to get me there, but I don’t know how to use the breakthroughs on my own. I feel stuck. I’m actually a little angry I’m still in this position. I feel lost. I’m scared to do what I love. How am I supposed to do this eight shows a week? What did I say ‘yes’ to? I’m terrified!”
Before we hung up, we set up a meeting, and I asked if I could dedicate my next blog to this subject, sharing her story anonymously. She agreed as long as I promised to help her find her way out of this predicament. We both laughed, and I was honored to be brought onto her team.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated conversation. More and more actors are coming to me, distressed because they don’t seem to be able to crack the code of this mysterious “thing” they’re seeking. Despite reading countless acting books, scrutinizing award-winning performances, participating in numerous workshops, and jumping from one studio to another, there’s still something missing that leaves the actor with a large question mark.
So, what’s missing?
I can tell you, without hesitation, what is missing. Craft!
No matter the era, regardless of how “styles” may have evolved over time, the basis of all acting remains the same: life, circumstances, relationships, needs within those relationships, obstacles to overcome in order to improve those relationships, and the work we do within the text to achieve those needs. Ultimately, it’s about seeking peace, happiness, and love through the framework laid out by the text. You can’t truly understand your character’s journey unless you know the given circumstances of the story.
This is what makes the unknown of the moment possible. Without it, you’re telling your own story and swimming in a pool of confusion. As actors, we need tools that will help us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually do the work. Just like a ballet dancer needs to know the technicalities of doing a thousand fouetté turns, the actor needs a solid set of tools to support them in their craft.
If you want to live in the chaos of the unknown moment, you must be grounded in what is known.
And let’s be clear, the ultimate test of an actor’s craft is: can you perform in a two-and-a-half-hour show, eight times a week, and still deliver a consistent, alive, organic, and visceral performance with the stamina to sustain your vocal and physical demands—all while staying true to the story?
This isn’t just about theater. Any actor with the talent, sophistication, know-how, and dependability will have a long career, whether it’s in the theater or on screen. I always say to my students: “An actor who is always working is an actor who has always done the work.”
So, here’s a short answer to this unfortunate dilemma: How do you live moment to moment in relation to the circumstances of the text?
Craft!
How do you live in the unknown of the moment?
Craft!
How do you use your listening to filter the wants and needs that drive your character’s story forward?
Craft!
How do you emotionally live the arc of your character?
Craft!
How do you get to where the text indicates?
Craft!
How do you maintain a clear relationship with others, including your environment and objects, while still telling the story?
Craft!
How do you discover the physical or vocal attributes of your character?
Craft!
How do you make sense of your lines so they’re not just words you’re saying, but words that serve the purpose of improving your character’s circumstances?
Craft!
How do you organically give birth to the lines you speak?
Craft!
How do you viscerally understand what’s happening between the lines?
Craft!
How do you fully bring your character to life using your life experiences as the instrument for the world of your character?
Craft!
How do you live in the chaos of life’s unknowns?
Craft!
How do you survive a two-and-a-half-hour show, eight shows a week?
By being supported by craft!
If you’re still asking yourself, “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing!”—it’s time to take a stand. You deserve answers as an actor and as an artist. You owe it to yourself to ensure that what you’re learning is useful, that it supports your career as an actor, and that it helps you stay active, alive, and truthful in your work.
As an actor, you have the right—and obligation—to have a set of tools that will always have your back. Your craft supports you, no matter the circumstances, and ensures that your work is consistent, not dependent on luck. It allows you to find freedom within the unknown, so you can trust yourself in every moment.
That is the craft you want to cultivate.
That is the craft that never fails you.
It’s always there, supporting you.
It’s the craft that enables you to throw caution to the wind, dissolve fear, and fall back in love with the process of acting once again!
155. The Power of Life’s Curveballs
We all know that life can throw us curveballs that knock us off track sometimes. Sometimes, those curveballs catch us off guard, and we can only laugh at the irony, shaking our heads in disbelief, asking, “Are you serious right now?” And then, sometimes, those curveballs knock the wind out of us, forcing us to crouch down, hand raised, saying, “Ummm… Time out… Just give me a minute to catch my breath!” And then there are those other moments… Oh, those other moments… When those curveballs come flying at us so hard, so fast, that we are utterly speechless. There are no words to go with such potentially shattering experiences. And so, we slowly make our way to the ground, as the pregnant tears well up in our eyes, hoping that the earth itself can somehow support such heaviness. We curl into that instinctual fetal position, listening to the buzz of the universe’s electromagnetic OM sound, praying for something to come along and fix it all.
But wait… What if these crappy circumstances are the answer? What if within the complexity of these obstacles lives the simplest of answers? What if all that you are going through is the spark for something special? What if all that you are going through is the fuel for your creative hunger? What if it’s what will inspire you to create something of profound substance? What if it’s the fire you need to make the change you wish to see, both on a microcosmic level and on a macrocosmic level? What if all you are going through is guiding you toward your soul’s purpose? What else would it be there for? Really think about that. What is it all for? Is it there just to punish you? Are you so bad that life wants to treat you poorly and make you suffer? Is life really that cruel? I don’t think so. I really don’t. Let’s leave that dark theory to someone else.
It’s our experiences that feed us as artists. We bring light to all that darkness. And it’s the darkness that forces us toward the light. Artistically speaking… And yes… spiritually speaking as well. The truth is, the more high-stakes our experiences are, the more we are usually inspired by them. A banal, everyday experience doesn’t push us to create. It’s what we’ve been through—the hard, the difficult, the trying—that drives the creative force. Every day, we have an opportunity to take those experiences and use them to fuel our best artistic life. As artists, we get to transform those experiences into creative expression, fulfilling our dreams.
Only you truly have the power to realize your dreams. You must allow everything you’ve gone through to be the spark that keeps you creating. We all come from and are made up of that magnificent creative source. Even at your “worst,” your creative energy is the exact medicine that will always keep you going. It is your strength. It is what allows you to persevere. And let's be honest… Don’t worry about everyone else’s take on things. Your inner experience doesn’t need to be understood by others. Let that go. We can’t expect others to viscerally understand an experience that has never been theirs to taste. You may struggle hearing the most uninformed (I’m trying to be PC here!) responses to your experience. But you have to put it all into perspective. It’s like asking a small child to solve an equation without ever taking a math class. The child would look at you like you’re nuts and probably cover the problem with some Crayola crayons. Hmmm… still creative, though. That’s my kind of kid! Everything can only be understood by one’s accumulated life knowledge up to that point in time. But the experience is for you to grow, solve, expand, evolve, and share. Yes, even at your “worst.” Especially at your “worst.”
Keep going! Suffer through it if you must… But never let adversity see you share a drop of fearful sweat. Wipe your brow. Take a breath. Look at it in its face. Smile like a professional and say, “Game on, biatch!” Then fight, wrestle, kick, and scream with it if you must… But never stop using that fire to continue creating. Do it for you. The power is in your hands, in your mind, and in your heart. If you use what life has given you, life will have your back. Now go make your creative mark!
157. The Magic of "No"
"That word 'No' shows itself as rejection… Or a myriad of other things that asks us as artists to question our self-esteem… And our worth… In regards to what we are doing… And us as instruments… And the quality of our work…"
The word "No" often feels like rejection, or it may represent a number of other things that prompt us as artists to question our self-esteem, our worth, and the quality of our work. It challenges us to look at what we're doing, how we see ourselves, and how we value our craft. The word "No" is important because it serves as an incredible exercise in self-reflection. It forces us to ask: Will we crumble in the face of this word, or will we persevere when confronted by it?
A "No" can trigger emotions and thoughts we didn’t even know were there. It can take us to places that bring us down without us even realizing it. But when we face it, we have the opportunity to say, "This is what the external world is telling me. But what’s in my heart is more important. My belief in myself is stronger than what the world is saying right now."
This process strengthens our will, our perseverance, and our belief in ourselves. It cultivates the inner knowing that we are doing what we should be doing, that we believe in our work, and that we will continue doing it despite the rejections. Because, ultimately, rejection has nothing to do with us. It’s simply telling us that “This puzzle piece doesn’t fit right now, but there is a piece out there that does.”
So we continue. We search until we find that missing piece, and when we do, everything clicks. Then we realize: “It was worth the journey. I’m going to keep going and keep finding those pieces that create the grand picture of my life.” This is where the magic of the word "No" lies.
158. Do the Work
"If you are not willing to do the work… Guess what? There is someone out there who most certainly is."
As harsh as it may sound, it is absolutely true—if you’re not willing to put in the work, there’s someone else who will. As artists, this is especially true. In a world full of creatives pursuing similar paths, you need to show up 100% if you expect to break through. It’s the difference between having an idea and a dream. It’s the difference between a hobby and a career.
Ideas and hobbies are great, but they don’t carry the same weight. If something doesn't happen with them, it won’t cause sleepless nights or deep frustration. It's "c'est la vie." But when it comes to dreams and careers, it matters. You yearn for it, you eat, drink, and sleep it. And when it's not happening, it can hurt—sometimes even break your heart.
However, dreams alone are not enough. They can’t materialize on their own. The most successful people in the world aren’t just dreamers; they are hard workers. When I think about all the clients and students I’ve worked with who are now succeeding, I know how much work and sacrifice they’ve put into it. Once they start doing the work they love, they continue working to ensure the quality matches the effort they've put into getting there.
You can’t skip the work. Even when things aren’t happening, there are no days off. Take one small action every day toward your goal—no excuses. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and many small actions compound into major breakthroughs. Sometimes this means making sacrifices to keep moving forward, but remember: no one else is going to do the work for you. These are your dreams, and you must be accountable for turning them into reality.
To do this, you need passion. Passion is the fuel that keeps you going when obstacles appear. And trust me, there will be obstacles. But passion helps you focus on the end goal, no matter how tough the journey gets. Passion is what keeps your dreams alive in your soul, and it makes you want to confront the challenges head-on, learn from them, and keep going.
Then, you need a fire in your belly. This fire is what gets your ideas out of your head and into tangible reality. It's what drives you to experiment, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. Without it, nothing happens.
Inspiration is also key. Seek it out whenever you need it—open your eyes, ears, and heart. Inspiration is everywhere if you're willing to look for it. Every detail of life, even what seems insignificant, has a story that can fuel your creativity.
Discipline is the next piece. Personal discipline is essential to ensure that the momentum you’ve built doesn’t slip away. It’s the practice that keeps you moving forward—learning, growing, trying, and experimenting. Without discipline, even the most creative ideas can fade into nothing.
Most importantly, the work must be fun. If you lose the joy in it, your dreams will turn into burdens. And once that happens, your passion will fade, your fire will smolder, and your discipline will feel like a chore. Keep the fun alive and remind yourself why you started this creative path in the first place.
So, what are you waiting for? Take responsibility for your dreams. Be the one who works for you because you know it’s possible. Be the CEO of your own life—keep growing, learning, and evolving. And if something’s missing in your process, make the changes necessary to make it happen. As artists, we already possess the creative force within us. It’s time to manifest our dreams and turn them into reality.
Be the one who makes it happen, and then bask in the bliss of your dreams coming true.
159. The Truth Behind the Selfie
"No matter how slick we may seem in that moment… No matter how together we try to look at that moment… No matter the costume we use to define who we want to be or how we want to appear in that moment… There will always be that little kid in us reaching out for that big warm hug for one reason or another…"
No matter how much we try to present ourselves as flawless or confident, there will always be that inner child, awkward teenager, or overwhelmed adult still trying to make sense of who they are. Each of us carries a complex story worth sharing—one that deserves to be witnessed. But in today’s world, we’ve found a new, simpler way of sharing our stories. A way that’s quick, safe, and controlled through a screen and an app. A way that allows us to pick and choose what we want the world to see about us. And that’s where selfies come in.
As we embrace the #SELFIE way of expression, we disconnect more and more from each other’s true stories. Instead of showing the real us, we often filter ourselves to present only the parts we think others want to see. We share pictures of our abs, our duck lips, our carefully chosen outfits, and our best angles—all carefully curated to get that instant gratification of a “like” or a comment. But in doing so, we miss out on the real picture.
Are we truly sharing ourselves? Or are we staging a version of ourselves to get noticed in a world flooded with images? Do we filter our stories based on what we think the world will find most desirable? We’re bombarded with a never-ending cycle of attention-seeking posts, seeking the dopamine rush that comes with social media validation. But has it really become that important?
Instead of sharing our true experiences and emotions, we communicate through body shots and perfectly timed selfies. We engage in one-sided interactions, where a picture is glanced at for a split second before it’s quickly judged and either “liked” or ignored. And that’s how we’re learning about each other these days—through a quick image, judged in a matter of seconds. But we’re missing the most important part: each other’s real story.
The full picture—the happy, the sad, the funny, the strong, the vulnerable, the powerful—is often overlooked in favor of carefully curated moments. There’s nothing wrong with what we share online; the pictures are beautiful, fun, and part of our lives. But they are not the full picture.
So, when you find yourself comparing your life to someone else's online presence, feeling like you have to measure up or wishing you could be something more than you are, remember this: what you're seeing is just a fraction of someone's reality. It's a staged moment, picked and filtered for likes and followers. It’s a moment in time, not the whole story.
Your life, and everyone else’s, is far more complex, messy, and beautiful than any selfie can capture. Don’t forget that the real story—the full picture—is always more interesting than the filtered version. Because, let’s face it, our lives are way more than just our selfies.
160. The Importance of Embracing Imperfection
"I think one of the most crucial things any actor can do… It’s probably one of the most important things an actor can do… Is really come to terms… And endow their own humanity… And what I mean by that is… Giving themselves a break to understand that they are not perfect… And they don’t have to be perfect… That they are allowed to not have it together all the time… That they are allowed to be messy sometimes… That they are allowed to not look like they are on the cover of Vogue… Or GQ… That is OK for them to have uncomfortable feelings sometimes…"
I believe one of the most important things an actor can do is come to terms with their own humanity. They need to give themselves permission to not be perfect, to not always have it together. It’s okay to be messy sometimes, to fumble, to fall, or even to fail.
In today’s world, especially with the rise of social media, we’re bombarded with the idea that we have to look a certain way, be a certain way, and be perfect all the time. It makes us think we have to be "Face-Tuned" and "Life-Tuned" to some ideal standard. But as artists, that pressure is damaging because it tells us we need to live in artificiality to create meaningful work.
The truth is, our authenticity as artists comes from embracing our imperfections. We are perfectly imperfect, and by owning who we are, we breathe life into our work in a way that perfection never could.
I always encourage the people I work with to simply observe others in everyday settings—at a coffee shop, in a grocery store, or a restaurant. Watch how people interact, how they relate to others, and how they relate to themselves when alone. The truth is, nobody has it all together. Everyone has their quirks, and that is what makes us interesting. It’s what makes us human.
It’s our imperfections that make us beautiful and engaging to watch, and they make stories compelling. We’re all part of this dynamic of imperfection, and it brings us together. When we see others struggling or trying to "get it together," we resonate with that. We realize that everyone has their own story of trying to figure things out, and that shared experience connects us all.
161. Five Crucial Steps to Survive Pilot Season
Here are five easy but crucial steps I work on with all my students and clients to help them stay grounded during the intense, sometimes overwhelming season of the industry’s most anticipated opportunities:
Maintain Your Peace: Whether you’re going out constantly or staying in more than you'd like, it’s essential to stay grounded and maintain your peace. Think of yourself as the oak tree in a storm, steadfast and unmovable, rather than the blade of grass that’s blown every which way. Stress depletes your vital creative forces and prevents you from reaching your highest potential.
Do Not Compare Yourself to Others: You are the president of your own unique corporation. Comparing yourself to others is fruitless and creates unnecessary competition. The only competition is the internal fear that tells you that you can’t achieve your dreams. Your essence is either right for a particular project or it isn’t at that moment. Either way, trust yourself and don’t get fixated on what you think they are looking for. Your individuality is what will set you apart, and who knows—you might change the entire direction of the role just by being true to yourself.
Accountability: Do the work! As an artist, you’ve been given a craft for a reason. It’s not enough to just memorize your lines; you must infuse those words with life. Ensure you bring depth and truth into your performance, whether in the room or on tape. Trust in your skills and be willing to take risks, but never underestimate the power of simplicity—it often has more strength than you realize.
Own the Room: Never walk into any situation feeling intimidated or apologetic for what you bring to the table. If you’re given a note, take it and execute it instinctively, but don’t hold onto it. Remember: you’ve invested a lot into this moment, so own it. You deserve to be there, and your time is as valuable as anyone else’s. You are not a dime a dozen—you are one of a kind and priceless.
Let It Go: After the audition is over, let it go. If it went great, awesome! If it didn’t go as expected, process what you can improve for next time and then move on. Don’t stay mentally bound by past auditions—there’s no benefit in holding onto regret. The present holds infinite inspiration for future opportunities, so stay open and trust that what is meant to align with you will. Give yourself the freedom to appreciate the process you went through, and treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
And remember, maybe you’re not just auditioning to see if you’re right for a role—perhaps the universe is auditioning the role to see if it’s right for you! I’m rooting for you—break a leg and have an amazing Pilot Season!
162. The Truth Is Right Here, Right Now
Aren’t we all constantly trying to dissect what the Truth really is? It feels like there’s always something standing in our way as we seriously hunt for that one pure, untainted revelation of what "is." But if we’re always searching for the Truth, aren’t we likely missing it?
Since when is Truth interested in playing a game of hide and seek, darting away as soon as we think we’ve found it? Since when is the Truth a trickster, desiring to make fools of us? Since when is the Truth the jerk cutting us off or blindsiding us?
It seems more likely that it’s our addiction to the chaotic stories our minds create that keeps us trapped in illusory labyrinths, making it difficult to see the Truth. Isn’t it our fixation on how we think things should be, or want them to be, that blinds us to what actually is?
Here’s my take: The Truth doesn’t need to be found. It is ever-present in the pregnant pause of this moment. To be poetic but realistic, it vibrates loudly in the silence, whispers softly in the loudness, shines brightly in the darkness, and clarifies with shadows in the light. It is simply there, complex in its simplicity, omnipresent and blatantly present.
But our unconscious mind, constantly interpreting and influencing our experiences, blurs the lines of what truly "is." Maybe we’ve been making it more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe there aren’t any grand secrets waiting to be revealed. Maybe it’s not hidden under a rock or buried in some psychic hotline message. The simple truth is probably residing in the here and now.
Whatever that moment may be, in relation to whatever and whoever is part of that experience—maybe that’s the secret truth waiting to be revealed. Perhaps the Truth is patiently waiting for us to wake up, to stop sleepwalking through a dream constructed from past experiences projected into the present. Maybe, just maybe, it’s all simpler than we make it out to be.
Why can’t we just try to be a little simpler in our approach? Why can’t we take it moment by moment, enjoy it, or at the very least, be fully present?
We live. We breathe. We eat and drink. We eat and drink a lot. We play. We laugh. We laugh a lot. We trust. We love. We love a lot. We distrust. We hurt. We hurt a lot. We cry. We cry a lot. We get sick. We get very sick. We hope. We struggle. We struggle a lot. We don’t give up. We overcome. We overcome a lot. We heal. We trust again. We learn. We learn a lot. We celebrate. We help others suffering. We hold on. We let go. We finally rest. We go home. We remember it was worth it. We are grateful. We are grateful for all of it.
Isn’t that the Truth? Isn’t the Truth right there in the experience itself—in how it happens and unfolds? In all of that? Present, here and now, patiently waiting for our willingness to surrender to its embrace, to awaken us from the cloudy, confusing slumber of our individual dreams, and show us why we are all here… life.
!163. The Light at the End of the Tunnel – Or Is It?
We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” but is there? Or is there just a tunnel full of events that challenge us to cope with random or, for my spiritual folk, karmic circumstances the best we can?
While we may hope for a favorable outcome, the truth is that we don’t always get what we want, nor do we always get what we need. Sometimes, life happens—and it can be pretty crummy. Sometimes life is heartbreaking. Sometimes, it’s unbearable.
And yet, all the while, the ironic financially stable gurus, published by the finest publishers, sell their theories of "new age trends" like, “Through our suffering, we find the path to enlightenment.” Am I guilty of that? Probably. Actually, yes. I’ve been known to try to alchemize reality to find a silver lining, to convince myself and others that there’s some transformative magic within difficult circumstances—a remedy for the common good. And sometimes there is.
Sometimes people make it through the most heinous circumstances and are blessed with knowledge that helps the collective. But sometimes there isn’t. And that’s a hard pill to swallow, isn’t it? Sometimes we see or are given information we don’t want to know. Sometimes, we just need to get real about things.
Life is not always a fairytale, and 99% of the roles we’ll ever play will be about an individual doing all they can to improve their circumstances. This is a fact of the human condition that we, as artists, must be open to revealing—the struggles of the human experience, including suffering.
Sometimes we need to blow out the candles, snuff out the incense, throw away the sage, chuck the oracle cards at the wall, and really look—with our hearts—at tangible reality. Sometimes, the cards people are dealt are nowhere near the full house they had hoped for. Sometimes there’s no house at all, but only a tunnel that echoes thoughts and questions in an earnest quest for life’s greatest mysteries, stimulating the creative process.
As artists, we must face unanswerable questions about suffering, greed, poverty, war, disease, trauma, lovelessness, abuse, darkness, addiction, and even the new pandemic of “narcissism.” Do I have the answers to these questions? Hell no! Not at all! What do I know? I just work here. But we have to be willing to see the questions because they’re all around us.
We must be aware of them if we genuinely care about the state of humanity. We can’t be scared to confront these questions because it’s the job we signed up for. Yet, no matter how hard we dig, we must be willing to accept that there will always be unanswerable questions. Life will always be in a state of flux, and there will always be suffering somewhere in the world.
And yet, you’re probably reading this, hoping for some statement that will reveal the promised light at the end of the tunnel. But that’s just my point. Sometimes there isn’t a light, and as artists, we must do our part in revealing the struggles humans go through to bring awareness to these unanswered circumstances. Otherwise, it’s just a tunnel we’re walking or running through, not knowing where it leads or what it means.
The facts are: Sometimes we are with good people. Sometimes, not so much. Sometimes we’re with compassionate people. Sometimes, we’re with people living with agendas. Sometimes we walk with those who use troubling circumstances for the greater good, and sometimes we walk with those who exploit them. Sometimes we walk with trust, and sometimes we walk with cautious discernment. Sometimes, people walk with us to wherever the tunnel leads, and sometimes, they fade away.
Sometimes it will bring treasures. Sometimes it will bring trauma. Sometimes it will please. Sometimes it will disappoint. And within all those circumstances, the answer is: there is no answer. It is what it is. We don’t know why, but we know it happens.
While we live in a filtered world—one that creates the prettiest, most perfect selfies, hiding any "flaw," sharing our abs, our showbiz smiles, and chasing validation through likes on social media—we ignore the fact that we’re not OK with what is. We’re not OK with the questions because we don’t want to face the answers. We’re scared of them, because they threaten the perfect, artificial picture we’ve created to manufacture a dopamine or serotonin boost.
We don’t even want to face the questions anymore. So, we hold on to the theory of a light at the end of the tunnel, ignoring the chaos that’s begging to be noticed. We skip the most important step. We numb ourselves with artificial affirmations, avoiding the reality of what’s going on here and now.
As artists, we have to be willing to face the reality of things, no matter how scary, unpleasant, or dark they may be. That’s our job—to see what others aren’t willing to see, to face what others are afraid to face, to step into the trenches and confront the human condition, head-on, mask-free, in all its grit and glory. Because that’s what life is: a series of moments defined by both grit and glory.
And if we’re lucky, sometimes we find ourselves somewhere in the middle. It’s all about allowing the questions and being OK with the answers, whether they come with favorable or unfavorable responses—or even with no response at all. Whatever the case, I encourage you to walk through this beautifully complicated life tunnel without expectations, but with awareness and compassion. Allow yourself the willingness to experience it for what it is in all its authenticity and then be willing to share that authenticity through your work.
164. The Craft of an Actor: Skill, Process, and the Work
There’s a sophistication to the work that cannot be denied, and with that comes a choice: Do you want to be the type of actor who is always dependent on luck, hoping your work will go well? Or do you want to be a skilled actor, one who has something that sustains you—your work and your career?
When you’re a skilled actor, you have a process that guides you. You know that when you’re losing your way, you can rely on this process to take you where you need to go. No matter what kind of work you’re doing, you still have to approach it with the same life structure. What’s apparent in life will be apparent in the work.
To succeed, you must know who you are, where you are, what you want, what’s getting in the way of what you want, and what you are doing to overcome those obstacles. Life, circumstances, relationships, and the needs within those circumstances all shape the story. And as an actor, you have to align with the text, trying to fulfill the needs outlined in the script, while hoping to live in some peaceful, happy, successful, and loving state—as suggested by the givens of the text.
You have to know your “in” to those circumstances, the thing that drives you to pursue the needs of the character. You need to be clear and specific about your approach. Of course, you have to understand the environment, the time period, and all the details, but there has to be something that gives you a starting point into the work. Without that, it will always feel like a “cold read,” and you’ll be left thinking, “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
And don’t you get tired of feeling that way every time you work, just hoping it’ll go well? This is the danger of depending on “cold reads,” or picking up material and simply “doing it.” When you do that, you end up creating your own world with your own choices—whether they’re instinctual or interesting—without fully considering how they connect to the play or script. What does it really have to do with the world of the play? What does it have to do with your character’s world?
When you’re working, you must ask: What are you going after? Where are your instincts coming from? Are they based on the play and the script, or on your idea of the play without truly respecting its structure?
The real test of action is whether you, as an actor, can perform in a play that’s two and a half hours long, eight shows a week, or in a film, for weeks or months on end, often out of sequence—and still give a consistent, alive, uninhibited, organic, and visceral performance. You need the stamina—vocally, physically, and emotionally—to tell the story truthfully, using the full spectrum of your instrument. And it must always feel fresh, as if it’s the first time.
That’s where your skill, craft, and process come into play. To be successful, an actor needs tools that help them—physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually—through the work. These tools are there to support you, to have your back, to ensure you’re fully prepared for the role.
Since when has it become shameful to have a process? Why is there so much guilt and belittlement surrounding the idea of having a craft? Just as a ballet dancer needs to know the technicalities to perform complex turns, an actor needs a set of tools to support their work. But it must be used in a way that is tangible and activates the actor, allowing them to live and breathe in the work.
If you want to live in the chaos of the unknown, you must also be aware of what is known to help you navigate that unknown. Your toolbox might not always be the same, but the structure will always remain. What you know in life, your character will know. There’s no “ifs,” “ands,” or “buts” about it.
An actor with the talent, sophistication, know-how, and ability to be dependable and accountable will have a long career, whether on stage or screen. Simple as that. An actor who does the work is an actor who works, continues to work, and, most importantly, enjoys the work. Because when it comes to the quality of the work, it’s no longer about luck. It’s about a lifetime of well-respected skill, paired with organic talent. And that’s where the freedom and fun truly lie.
165. Accountability in the Craft: The Key to Success
Let’s discuss the crucial nature of accountability in our line of work. Accountability is a scary thing to face when you really think about it. It asks us to look at where we are in our artistic pursuit and come to terms with whether we are truly giving our work the dedication this industry demands—especially when the “payoff” doesn’t come right away. Unfortunately, accountability seems to be absent from much of the curriculum when learning and exercising the craft. And that’s a huge mistake. Accountability and success are interdependent; they go hand in hand.
This can be taken for granted, especially if an actor doesn’t have the opportunity to pursue this work full-time at the moment. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “I’ll do it a little later,” or “I’m tired…I’ll take care of it tomorrow.” We may wait for someone else to do the work for us, or hold on to the hope of being “discovered” by some stroke of luck. Come on, NO! If that’s your mentality, find a different career—something easier, less heartbreaking. We need to wake up and get rid of this “tomorrow” mentality. We only have now. We need to get out of our own way and show up to the plate. To be blunt, stop making excuses!
If you really want things to pay off, if you really want a shot at this, you have to work your butt off for it. You need to exercise every muscle possible—personally, artistically, and professionally—so that it all supports you in every area of your career. You must remember that this is a business. And let’s be honest, it’s not a forgiving one when it comes to a lack of accountability, professionalism, and responsibility. As an artist, you must be the CEO of your own corporation. You are your business, and you need to hold yourself accountable for what’s necessary for your success.
This means no complacency. No comfort. And, above all, no laziness! Hold yourself to high professional and artistic standards. This work is deeply desired by countless artists who love the craft, so don’t forget that for every person unwilling to do the necessary work and hold themselves accountable, there’s someone out there who is ready to put in ten times the effort. Why? Because they really want it.
As a professional, no matter the career, you must hold yourself to the same standards you would expect from someone working for you to achieve success. This means continually exercising that professional muscle in every area, with complete focus and precision, so there’s nothing standing in your way—logistically, professionally, or artistically.
Your health will always be number one, and that takes different forms for everyone. But beyond that, always communicate. Answer professional calls, respond to professional texts and emails, and show up on time (which really means showing up early). Keep working on your craft and doing the work—ALL of it. Don’t let professional gaps be what stands in the way of your success. Because in the blink of an eye, someone else will be there, ready to do what you allowed to slip by.
And remember, word and reputation travel fast in this business, so be mindful and care about how you’re perceived. Lastly, always take time to understand how to break down the material—without assumptions—and dive deep into formulating the spine of the character the writer has created. Then, dig even deeper by asking the very important question: “WHY?” Keep asking yourself “WHY” as you work on discovering your character. The more you ask, the deeper your understanding of the character will grow, and the deeper you can connect with that understanding within yourself.
Give it your all, and enjoy the process. Nurture your career, your work, and your art with the love and care it truly deserves.
166. Embracing Discomfort: The Role of Suffering in Our Work
Let’s discuss a very big reality that all humans must face: the fact that all human beings will inevitably experience strife and struggle numerous times in life. I know… great news, right?! But to ignore this fact is to deny the common denominator that has always existed in every story ever told—and every story yet to come. It is the suffering of the human condition, in its myriad and complex forms, that gives birth to all drama and comedy alike. This is the reason we tell stories—it’s what makes our stories, and all the stories that have ever been created, yearn to be told and witnessed. It’s what brings us together because, deep down, we all share in the struggles of our existence. Our suffering, our drama, and our complexities hunger for connection and communion. It’s what makes us feel less alone on this great, winding rollercoaster called “Life.”
The beauty of our work—whether it’s through film, stage, or TV—is that in some incredible way, it becomes a glorious medicine for the masses, reminding them they are not alone in their suffering. Yes, it’s through our suffering, all the pain and confusion, that we are united. Imagine that! It’s actually quite beautiful when you really think about it, especially in today’s “me, me, me” world. Just look at any tragedy and notice how, through those awful circumstances, hearts begin to open in a deeper, more giving way. There’s something about pain, suffering, and tragedy that wakes us up from our personal slumber, instinctively calling on our heartstrings to show up for each other.
But here’s the kicker—as actors, as artists, we have to be okay with allowing our instrument to experience discomfort. We cannot shy away from it. It is that very discomfort that holds the key to unlocking the most complex realities of the most complicated circumstances. Our discomfort is pregnant with the substance needed for our work. It’s a huge part of the answer. We must be courageous enough to step into that discomfort as if we are artistic warriors, for it is through our instrument that we become vessels, living out the most intricate, complicated, and even inexplicable essence of the human condition in a very public way.
And to bring the audience on that journey, we must strive to execute the most profound truth in our work. We owe that to the audience because they are giving us the most precious thing they have—their time here on Earth. In order to do that kind of work, and to be the type of actor where the “acting” doesn’t show, we have to accept that nine-tenths of the experiences we are being called to live in the work may be things we’ve never tasted in our own lives. So, we must utilize tools that allow our inner world to fill up and experience those circumstances truthfully for the story and for those witnessing it.
We live in a day and age where we are being called to exercise our imagination less and less, and that’s not ideal for the actor. Just like going to the gym, the actor must continue to exercise their imagination muscle and keep building that inner library. While the circumstances may be uncomfortable, we must also remember to have fun within that discomfort and those high stakes. After all, we can never forget that we are safe to explore and play within the structure of the givens of the story.
have a heart to heart about really understanding the Self and how certain aspects of life, relationships and circumstances can trigger the Self. These triggers can go as far as creating a lens over our eyes that color our thinking into believing that there is something innately wrong with who we are. Those unfortunate lies then out-picture and bleed into our everyday reality. We are innately loveable.Plain and simple. There, I said it! It has personally taken me all my life to know and believe that truth and something that I continuously have to work on. As a teacher, I can only teach through experience otherwise I am teaching fluff in my opinion. I don’t claim to be a Guru. And to be honest, I have no desire to be one. I’ll save that for those who want to be or claim to be. I simply claim to be human, just like you, trying to figure it all out. I just happen to be fortunate to have the the opportunity to contribute all that work into the world of acting which demands the constant examination of the human condition on all levels. No matter what your history is… No matter what you have been through…No matter what you have been told…No matter what you have been taught…And no matter what you have been brainwashed to believe…YOU ARE LOVEABLE! Just as you are. And you matter! And that voice and story inside you matters! “Imperfections” and all! It is the Self, who you truly are, that is the necessarysubstance which ignites the creative force within you to create. It is the Self, that amazing soul living inside that vehicle that we all call a body, that differentiates each and every one of us from the next person and makes each and every one of us inexplicably unique and special. And it is allthose differences, “quirks” and all, that are the reason we have so many stories about people. And it is the reason why we connect to so many of those stories on so many levels. The more we understand the Self, the more we have the capability of understanding what may be hidden beneath the many layers of every character…and every person. We have to know, understand and accept that this idea of “perfection” is not the artist’s friend. First of all, there is no way of meeting that standard of perfection save the fact that you are perfect as you are…yes, even those so-called “imperfections“, “flaws“, and all. You are perfect as you are. I(‘)M-PERFECTION. There is always the ability to evolve, expand, and grow, but at the core level, you are perfect for being just you. But the “idea” of perfection does not fill the gap. It doesn’t do the job. It is some made up filter that is simply BS. This idea of “perfection” separates us from the very foundation of what art is all about. It is all that other “stuff” that does the real work! Art is alive because of the “brokenness” that humanity has and still does experience in one way or another. It is our “brokenness” that connects us all. Our “brokenness” is the language that all of our hearts can understand because we have all suffered in one way or another. All that suffering is and always has been the catalyst to create. Art is there to speak up in the face of diversity. Art is there to light the torch in the midst of darkness. Art is there to mend our broken hearts, our broken spirits, and all of our brokenness. And then to bring us all together to know that “OMG, I’ve been there too!” As actors, we have to face, come to terms, accept and love every part of who we are. All the “flaws“, the “quirks“, the “weird stuff“, the “imperfections” and all of our very human “brokenness“. It is part of life…and it is part of our job!
168. Embracing the Growing Pains of the Actor’s Journey
Let’s have a heart-to-heart discussion about the inevitable growing pains an actor faces along their artistic journey. Let’s face it—doing this type of work, and doing it with the level of truth and artistic integrity that it demands, is going to ask the actor to look at, examine, feel, explore, and then reveal certain aspects of the human condition that a non-actor may not have to or be keen on experiencing.
It’s all the trials, tribulations, and discomfort that these obstacles cause that serve as the very stimulus for a greater understanding of life and expansion as artists, and quite frankly, as human beings. All that “stuff” keys us into a greater and more compassionate comprehension of the human condition, so it can then be revealed with integrity and truth within the work.
In order to do this, we must continually work on our awareness within our lives to avoid sleepwalking through our everyday routines. We have to be willing to take things in. We must be willing to take ourselves in—our patterns, our feelings, and our behavior. We have to observe things, really see the story behind every action, and understand why things occur. We have to care!
Our awareness highlights how we can make more informed choices that contribute to our greatest and highest good, as well as to the fulfillment of our artistic endeavors. And much of the time, this is going to be very inconvenient, difficult, tedious, and maybe even heart-wrenching work without any immediate payoff. But the more the actor stays on track, the more they continue to persevere, align, refine, and cultivate their craft, the more the payoff will come when the moment(s) is meant to come to fruition.
It is about trusting the process. It is about respecting the process. And it is about holding oneself accountable within and throughout the process.
When we look at this through a microscope, we see that art mirrors life. We see the very structure in the craft itself as we break down the journey to fulfilling the actor’s dream. By understanding that breakdown on a deeply personal level, we can then see, feel, understand, and execute how we can break down the character’s journey to doing everything they can to fulfill their greatest dream, as indicated by the text.
169. The Tools Every Actor Needs for Creative Depth
Let’s discuss the importance of certain tools that the actor uses to dive deep into what motivates and drives the character throughout a given text. Just as a ballet dancer needs to know all the technicalities to perform a thousand fouetté turns effortlessly, the actor also needs a set of tools that support them physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually during the creative process. There is no shame in an actor, or any artist, needing and utilizing tools to help them throughout their work. This is what makes an actor a true craftsman or craftswoman.
It’s the difference between an actor making choices that have nothing to do with the text and an actor making choices that are completely connected to the text. It’s also the difference between an actor going into an audition and living the writer’s work versus rewriting the writer’s work by making uninformed choices. If the actor truly wants to live in the unknown of the moment, they have to be aware of what is known to do just that. This is what actually creates freedom in the space for the actor.
The actor has to be so connected to the life essentials of the character that they are able to freely live moment to moment, based on what is driving the character forward. This is why it is so important for the actor to identify, understand, and connect to the unwavering, uninterpreted facts as laid out in the text. These facts, also known as the given circumstances, may sound very elementary to some, but truthfully, the givens are the foundation, or skeleton, of the character’s life as specified by the writer.
It takes a very skilled detective to identify all these givens, especially the most subtle facts that can easily be overlooked, but which influence the full creation of the character. Once the actor can identify all these essentials, they can begin to understand and formulate the driving force, life goal, and overall dream of the character that specifies all action, motivation, and even listening throughout the entire piece. This, known as the spine, super-objective, or throughline, is there to guide, support, specify, and most importantly, stimulate the actor, and all of their senses, to fully live the character’s life.
Once all of this is identified, the actor has the creative opportunity and responsibility to bring their interpretation based on those facts to life using the totality of their instrument. And that’s when the next chapter of the creative magic truly begins!
169. The Importance of Self-Observation for the Actor
Let’s discuss the importance of self-observation and how it directly relates to the work of the actor. By allowing ourselves to be the subject of study and examination, we gain the incredible first-hand opportunity to see that everything we do—physically, psychologically, and emotionally—has something behind it. There is always a destination, always a motivation, always an intention, and always something we want to achieve. There is always a "why." There is always a "how." There is always something to overcome. And there is always a response to something as it pertains to our wants, needs, and relationships to people, places, and things.
As I always say in my classes, whatever you know in life—based on where you are and the circumstances you find yourself in—the character will also know, based on where they are and the circumstances they find themselves in. So, it’s a great opportunity to break down this aspect of the craft and explore it moment to moment in your own life. By doing so, you’ll make it second nature when it comes to breaking down your work as an actor.
You will always know:
Where you are coming from, how you got there, and why you were there.
Where you are right now, what you want in the present, and what you’re going to do to get what you want.
Where you are going (even if you're lost, you still have a sense of where you want to end up), why you're going there, and what you want when you get there.
This process of exploration tunes us into our own sense of self. It brings to light all those aspects of life that we struggle with. Triggers will show up. Responses to relationships and situations will begin to have "reason"—whatever they may be, there will be a cause behind them. And you will start to notice that many of the obstacles you face in your work actually mirror the same obstacles you encounter in your everyday life. Why wouldn't they? We are revealing life through our work, and who we are is the instrument that allows us to do so.
The more we practice self-observation, the more we allow ourselves to face aspects of who we are, and to understand what may be stifling us, blocking us, or closing us off—and why. Where there is awareness, there is limitless opportunity for growth and expansion. It brings us into a more intimate relationship with who we are, which in turn allows us to be more intimately connected and present in our work.
170. The Power of Your Work in a Troubling World
With all the recent tragic events happening in our world, we had an emotionally charged week at the studio. These horrific events raise so many difficult questions: What does it all mean? Why does it happen? When will it change? Will it ever get better? Does it get better? When will we learn? When will we wake up? What am I doing? What can I do? Does it even matter?
Well, it does matter. And you matter. And it will get better. It does get better.
I hope this lecture serves as a reminder that you matter. I hope it inspires you to know that your work matters. As actors, as artists, as co-creators, we each have a calling and a mission that can shift some of the darkest realities and consciousness humanity still faces. We have the potential to create a better today and tomorrow… but only if we take on that role responsibly—with commitment, accountability, respect, compassion, awareness, insight, and pure intent.
Never forget that you—your voice, your instrument, your actions, and your work—are infinitely more powerful than you may realize. Never underestimate that your individual creative power has the potential to uplift and even heal those you may never meet in this lifetime. Like a pebble being gently tossed into a vast pond, your ripple effect will reach all those it is meant to reach.
Stay the course.
Stay an integral part of the process.
Stay intent.
Stay awake.
Stay in that creative, transformative light.
You can move mountains…
I know you can…
And we will.
171. The Fight for Survival in "Life or Death" Stakes
Let's discuss what it truly means when we talk about “life or death” stakes in the work. Our incredibly talented and brave ensemble is working on a play that demands each member to viscerally understand and embody what it means to fight for one’s survival in the name of life and love, without diluting the reality of that fight with “ideas” of what it truly entails.
On a personal note, and to be quite frank, this was not an easy week for me to teach. In fact, I felt exposed, vulnerable, and even isolated in my experience. And because of those feelings, I knew this was exactly what my heart was asking me to reveal in this lecture. I had to face that discomfort and use it as fuel for my own breakthrough, as well as in service of the work. You’ve got to practice what you preach, right? Otherwise, you’ve got no right to ask others to do the same.
It is not the “easy” that makes us artists. It is not the “easy” that makes the difference. It is our complexity. It is that stuff we feel we need to hide. It is the deep, messy, and sometimes even shattered truth within all of us that calls to be revealed in the creative process. It is all that “stuff” that has the ability to open hearts and transform things for the better. It is what brings us closer and closer to the ultimate truth.
In preparation for this class, I had to do a lot of soul-searching to reveal what I wanted to teach on this very human and dark subject. I wanted to teach it with integrity and respect. In my own life, I’ve had to fight tooth and nail to survive a complicated illness that has tried to take me out on multiple occasions. And for the most part, I’ve had to do that alone. When all known treatments failed me, I had to take matters into my own hands to find answers to this chronic illness that still lacks research or clear solutions. To this day, I continue the fight to survive.
Having lived through this experience, I wanted to offer insights that could relate to the extreme and horrific circumstances of the piece we are working on. We hear the term “high stakes” often in our work, but rarely do we truly define what that means in relation to the circumstances and life of the character. We often approach it from an “idea” place, focusing on the emotionality of the situation, without realizing that in life-or-death stakes, such emotions may get in the way of the character’s very survival.
When it’s truly “life or death,” something primitive kicks in—a laser focus that prioritizes survival above all else. In those moments, emotion may be a luxury we simply cannot afford. It does not mean that emotion and feeling are absent. They are there, deep down, complex, painful, and scary. But do we have the time and space to reveal or feel them? Or must we channel that energy into survival?
There is something more primal at work—the fight-or-flight instinct. This instinct pushes us to do whatever it takes to survive, sometimes taking extreme risks just to stay alive. As actors, we must understand and justify these actions without judgment, so we can authentically live them in our work. We must resist the urge to play our emotions in search of sympathy, love, or compassion from the audience. That is not the story. That is not our job. That is not what the character is doing to survive.
If we focus solely on the emotion, we lose the action necessary for survival. We need to stay true to the character’s core desire—to survive at all costs—using all that emotion as the motivation to pursue what the character wants, based on the circumstances, relationships, obstacles, and actions (spoken or unspoken) that stand in the way.
As actors, we embark on a brave journey to explore and reveal the human spirit’s fight for survival in the name of life and love. We honor the lives and stories of those who have endured such atrocities throughout history and shine a light on the darkness that still exists today. In doing so, we hope—even if in a small way—to contribute to ending such suffering.
172. Bringing Our Heart to Our Work
Let’s have a “heart to heart” discussion about what it truly means to bring our heart to our work. Despite what many may think, the actor’s craft is not simply about stepping onto a stage or screen to recite lines that a writer has written. There is no art in that alone—only the skill of memorization. Of course, we must first use the foundational tools that allow us to connect deeply to the world of the text. But once that work is done, the actor is called to live their most private essence in a very public way, as it relates to the given circumstances of the story.
The text is an incredible skeleton just waiting to be breathed into. And the actor is the brave soul who breathes life into that skeleton. This asks of us to share a piece of our heart, mind, body, and spirit with the world of the text. Given the nature of what we do and the circumstances we reveal, we will inevitably confront aspects of ourselves that we may have closed off for one reason or another. It is no secret that the blocks and obstacles we face in our everyday lives will somehow appear in our work. Why? Because we are asked to live in our work. The only way to live in it is by using our own instrument—our experiences, observations, research, and, of course, the power of imagination.
You are the instrument of life in the work. You and your heart are the battery that fuels it. To do this profound work, you must sometimes endure emotional warfare in order to fully embrace the journey the writer has crafted for the character. You must go through internal exploration to gain a visceral understanding of what you're being asked to live and reveal, so the truth can be brought to life in the work.
At times, this means facing our own personal obstacles, pain, and, in some cases, doing some healing. It means working on unresolved parts of ourselves outside of the work, in a safe and appropriate environment, so that we can experience a sense of wholeness and bring more to our performances.
Now, let me be very clear: I do not believe that acting or acting class should ever serve as therapy (even though, in some ways, it may feel therapeutic for some). However, I do believe that our work asks us to constantly evolve. It asks us to look at and heal our wounds. It asks us to be courageously aware of what has been shut down within us, and what has been turned off. It demands we discern what of our personal experience can be used in the work and what absolutely should not. This awareness allows us to make informed choices, so we can safely and sanely bring powerful, truthful life to our work.
It is the actor’s responsibility to be aware of what they need to work on within themselves to maintain a healthy, grounded instrument. This is a lifelong job, as life will continue to throw challenges that need healing. The more you work on yourself, the more you will bring to your craft. But it must be done. You have to always be working on yourself and taking care of yourself.
At the end of the day, our instrument is that beautifully complex life force that animates a character that only exists on the written page. And as an actor, you are the creative warrior who volunteers to bring that character to life.
173. Life as the Actor’s Masterclass
Let’s discuss how life itself will always be the real Masterclass for the actor. Our craft has always been, and will always be, shaped by life itself. After all, what else could it be formulated by? Some may say we are storytellers, but I say we are storylivers. Our purpose is to reveal the deepest truth within the story, in service to the writer, the audience, and the vast world of the human condition.
So, why wouldn’t we turn to life itself to understand the work from its original source? In the here and now moment of life, all the answers to our questions about human behavior and functioning are available to us. If the desire to understand is present—combined with a compassionate heart and intuition to see what might be hidden behind things—then the actor is always learning and growing. There must always be questions appearing in the actor's mind and heart, guiding their journey through life. This ongoing exploration helps build a richer human vocabulary within the actor’s instrument.
By doing so, we come to realize that every human life has a story. This story shapes who we are and how we function physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. It sheds light on our own center and how we navigate this complex ride called life. If we understand this about ourselves, why wouldn’t we apply this same knowledge to understanding and revealing character?
When we truly grasp this, we can leave personal judgment behind and reveal a character’s story with the respect it deserves. This understanding can even extend to respecting and understanding those around us in our own lives. We can read books about acting or life, but the real craft of acting is found in the living—by observing and implementing what life itself teaches us about the human condition. And trust me, life has an abundant, delicious rainbow of lessons to offer the artist. I call it Mary Poppins’ purse—it has everything you need inside!
It is crucial for the actor to keep searching for the craft, as life will always mirror, justify, and validate that search. Observe people’s intentions. Pay attention to how people listen and behave, especially in relation to the circumstances they’re in. Notice how people try to navigate obstacles, better their lives, or respond to stimuli. Watch how they love or hate, and really question—really question—the story behind all of it. This is pure gold for the actor!
And here’s the best part: life’s information is free. It’s there for the taking, and it’s crucial to use it. By doing this part of the work—just as important as mastering objectives or memorizing lines—the actor sets a high artistic standard for themselves. This focus helps the actor reveal only what is truthful, based on the circumstances of the story the writer has given. This approach eliminates "indication" and debunks "shmacting"—you can't fake it. The audience is much too smart for that. They know when something is real, and when it isn’t.
Life serves as the actor’s guide in the lifelong pursuit of their craft. It creates a high standard for being the best artist they can be. So keep going, and never settle for mediocrity or generalizations in your artistry.
174. Taking Ownership of Your Dream
This may trigger you. And if it does, that’s a good thing. It’s asking us to look at our actions with conscious awareness—not just to move through the world unaware… or even sleepwalking. If this triggers you, ask yourself honestly, Why does this freaking trigger me so much?
"Easy" and acting do not marry. They divorce very quickly. So let’s put things into perspective for a moment: Think about how much time you’re putting into a job that is not aligned with your end goal. Think about how many hours you’re investing in something that, at the end of the day, isn’t what you’re truly passionate about doing. Who’s getting your energy? What’s getting your energy?
Now, we all know—and there’s absolutely no shame in it—that we sometimes need "safety jobs" to support ourselves while pursuing this crazy field of acting. We have to make an income. A lot of times, the work we get as actors is sparse, and it doesn’t always give us enough to live on. So, we do what we have to do. But really think about it: How much energy are you putting into someone else’s business when you do those jobs? And how much energy are you investing in your own business—your acting career?
Your boss is getting rich off your hard work, working to make their dreams come true. You're working hard for your boss’ success. You're exhausting yourself so they can take vacations, buy nice cars, invest in lessons to learn something new, or afford that beautiful house they’ve always dreamed of. You're doing that. And people like you are doing that.
Now, I’m not saying that’s your intention. Your intention is to take care of yourself and those you’re responsible for. But regardless of your intention, your energy is being used to fulfill someone else's dreams. So, what are you doing to make your own dreams come true?
How much energy are you putting into realizing your own goals? Into becoming the actor you want to be? Every time you build structures to succeed in your "safety job," you're fulfilling that role, just as you’re expected to. But as an actor, you need to build your own structure. You need to lay the foundation for your own business to succeed and weather any storms that may come.
How many hours are you dedicating to your acting career? And if you’re not doing that, where do you think it’s going to come from? Do you think it’ll happen spontaneously? Do you think just your raw talent is enough to land a long-term job?
First, you have to do everything possible to be seen and considered for a role. More importantly, you have to know what you’re doing in both the craft and the business of acting. You have to actively participate in your own journey. Be your hardest-working employee and the CEO of your own career.
Yes, you may be lucky enough to get a job here or there, but as we all know, those jobs are fleeting. They will end, and you’ll need to find the next one. You’ll always have to go on another audition, always hoping that the next job is right around the corner.
So, who are you really taking care of right now? Yes, you’re taking care of yourself financially, which is necessary. But as an artist, who are you really taking care of? Be honest with yourself: How much am I really investing in my dream while I’m here on this planet?
You’re not promised tomorrow. You’re promised right now. So, if, God forbid, you weren’t here tomorrow, could you honestly say to yourself, “I gave it my all. I did everything I could to pursue what I believe I was meant to do”? Or are you simply working hard to pay the bills, to play it safe, and to make your boss’ dreams a reality?
Where do you stand in all of this? Think about it.
175. The Art of Connection and Communication
One of the most important aspects of being a seriously committed actor/artist is our ability, commitment, courage, and heart to intimately connect and communicate with another human being. Now, this may sound like common sense or even something elementary, but the truth is, it’s a real issue we are facing—not just as artists, but as a collective. We are losing our ability to share a piece of who we are, as we are, in the moment, with another. And we’re also losing our capacity to hold space for someone else, to truly witness their authentic experience.
In today's world, real human connection is becoming more and more rare. We don’t require face-to-face connection anymore. Instead, we hide behind our devices. We text, email, Instagram, Facebook, tweet, and Snapchat—rarely do we pick up the phone to talk to someone. And even worse, we ghost each other when things get real and honest. If this triggers you, it’s because you know it’s an issue.
We’ve become more connected to our phones’ cameras than to their original purpose—communication. We’ve chosen the quick, easy way of “one-way” interaction. Why? Because it’s convenient, it’s safe, and it avoids discomfort. We don’t remember what it’s like to just be with someone, to sit across from them, share our lives, and listen without needing to edit or carefully curate our words. We only share what fits into a neat square box, what looks perfect or put-together. Anything less, we hide. We’ve become addicted to presenting a “perfect” image, creating a dangerously unrealistic portrayal of our lives.
We don’t talk about our struggles anymore. We don’t openly share our challenges or the things that weigh heavily on our hearts. We’ve allowed ourselves to shy away from the discomfort of simply being in front of someone else—being human.
This is where the danger lies for the artist: In this world of carefully constructed, impersonal connections, we don’t have to show up as our true selves. We don’t have to really reveal who we are. We don’t need to hold space for others, and in turn, they won’t hold space for us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of accepting trivial, inauthentic interactions because it’s what society has normalized. But for the actor, this is a serious risk. Because all of the ways in which we fail to communicate or reveal ourselves in our daily lives will inevitably show up in our work.
If we play an idea of ourselves in everyday life, we’ll play ideas of the human condition in our performances. If we can’t sit with another person as we are and allow them to do the same, we’ll struggle to have the necessary intimacy in our work. We will weaken that invaluable human muscle—the ability to be vulnerable, to be imperfectly ourselves, and to allow others the space to do the same. The more we fall into the trap of not connecting, the more we diminish our ability to authentically share the complexities of the human experience in our work. We’ll become robotic, filling moments with inauthentic, idealized actions or ideas of what it means to be human in relation to another person.
Plain and simple, we have to continue to exercise our ability to intimately connect and communicate with others. We have to take the risk of sitting in the discomfort of real, authentic interaction. And we must surround ourselves with a community—a tribe—that’s willing to do the same. We need to keep sharing our stories, being vulnerable, and showing up as we truly are. This is what will sustain our art and our humanity.
176. The Importance of Consistently Cultivating the Craft of Acting
It’s vital for an actor to consistently explore, exercise, and cultivate their craft. Acting is a skill that requires dedication, discipline, commitment, and consistency. Plain and simple, it takes work. We cannot expect to thrive in this field without putting in the necessary effort. Our craft is not a one-time effort; it is a lifelong journey of growth and honing, and only by continuously cultivating it can we truly expect to see results.
The craft of acting is a muscle that needs to be constantly exercised. It cannot live solely in theory, in our heads, or in abstract ideas. We need to have a deep, practical understanding of what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how we’re using the tools at our disposal to bring a text to life. Only when we master the basics can we venture into the unknown moments of performance with full confidence and ease. This means that every tool and technique we use in our work must be tangible, usable, and executable. But to ensure these tools are available to us in those high-stakes, high-pressure moments—whether on stage, on screen, or in an audition—we have to exercise and practice them continually.
This isn’t just about memorizing lines. It involves training the full range of muscles—physical, psychological, emotional, and intellectual—that we don’t often use in our everyday lives. We need to tap into areas of ourselves that are vulnerable, complex, and sometimes uncomfortable, and have the tools and awareness to express these human experiences authentically. But here’s the catch: most actors don’t have the privilege of working on their craft every day, especially when it’s tied to paid work or specific gigs. Relying on auditions as practice is not enough; it’s a set of muscles that need regular exercise, regardless of whether we’re actively working on a project. The reality is that, just like physical muscles, if we neglect our craft, it becomes weak and lacks the stamina to meet the demands of our art.
The desire for the "easy road" has never been more prominent, especially in today’s world of social media. The idea of "Insta-fame" creates an expectation of immediate success with minimal effort. It’s natural to be drawn to the quick path, but as artists, we must face the truth: there is nothing easy about the artistic journey. There is no shortcut to mastery. We cannot afford to be lazy in our pursuit of excellence. We have a responsibility as actors to engage with the full complexity of the human condition, to go to places within ourselves that are raw, vulnerable, and complicated. We have to be brave enough to confront discomfort and share our truest, most honest selves in service to the work and in honor of the art.
As we continuously exercise these "muscles," we may experience growing pains—uncomfortable moments that challenge us. But these are the moments that yield our greatest breakthroughs, creative insights, and inspiration. These difficult explorations are often the key to unlocking a deeper, more authentic understanding of our characters and the stories we’re telling.
It’s essential to remember that "on the job" is not the time to experiment with our craft. We are hired to deliver—we must come prepared, with our craft already honed and ready to serve the work at hand. Our instrument must be sharp, active, and ready for the task. That’s why having a strong toolbox—developed through consistent study, practice, and exploration—is so important. We need to be able to tap into our range, using whatever tools are necessary to give life to the full spectrum of the character we’re playing.
The role of mentors, teachers, and studios is also crucial. It’s vital to find an environment that challenges us, that pushes us to keep growing, that holds us accountable for our artistic development. We should be surrounded by people who care deeply about our growth and can provide us with the tools to succeed. This continual learning process is non-negotiable. As long as we are alive, we must keep studying our craft because life is an unpredictable, complex lesson. And so too is every piece of text that we are asked to bring to life. The journey of the actor is one of never-ending growth, and the more dedicated we are to that journey, the more equipped we will be to face every new challenge that comes our way.
177. Confronting the Peaks and Valleys of the Journey
Let’s open up about how, very often, there will be times during our journey when we confront many bumps in the road. These peaks and valleys will often challenge our relationship to acting. Why wouldn’t they? Our work uses the Self as the instrument to create the music of life for our artistry, while also serving to tell a story within the safety of givens… for the purpose of community and the awareness of all the trials and tribulations of the human condition. And that Self is a beautiful, complex, layered, sensitive, and vulnerable human instrument.
The work itself will inevitably bring up a myriad of complex obstacles, leading to a self-exploration that asks us to question why we’ve taken on this journey of being an actor/artist. The industry and business side of being an actor/artist is a whole other mountain that can trigger a variety of circumstances, often causing dissonance within our relationship to the work. These difficult times can manifest as complicated thoughts and feelings such as frustration, depression, competition, anger, resentment, self-esteem issues, and more often than not, a love/hate relationship with the work itself.
It can also trigger complex issues within the Self, creating a labyrinth of self-exploration that requires observing, understanding, and possibly healing those triggers that threaten our relationship to our work and art. Sometimes, it leads to unproductive, self-deprecating, and self-destructive thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors. Whether these challenges stem from the work itself, the industry/business side, our personal history, or any other known or hidden factors, they all ask us to question what we’re doing and why.
I encourage you, when times get rough, to always return to that first moment you chose to follow the path of your artistry. Remind yourself why you made the choice to pursue it, and reconnect with that reason within your mind, body, and spirit. Reconnect to the inspiration, excitement, motivation, and calling that first drew you to this craft. And then hold that dear in your heart.
178. Overcoming Resistance to Our Own Growth
Let’s discuss how very often our resistance to our own growth is one of the biggest things standing in the way of our forward momentum. We often get caught up in the idea of having to “perform,” having to “be perfect or right,” having to be “on,” or even having to prove “something” to our fellow ensemble members and/or the teacher. That is the exact opposite of what should be happening.
The participation in any acting studio or ensemble should really focus on committed, like-minded, professionally-oriented actors coming together to wholeheartedly hold space to explore, discover, learn, grow, expand, share, support, and cultivate the craft of acting. The focus should be on committed, like-minded, professionally-oriented actors coming to work, to really do the work, knowing that each and every one is there respectfully for the work. More often than not, it is in these spaces where committed, like-minded, professionally-oriented actors find their tribe, their artistic home, their creative family, their ensemble.
But that environment should not be used to contemplate our worth. We have to know we are worthy. It should not be used to ruminate about the respect we deserve. We have to know we are deserving of respect. It should not be used to ponder if we should be seen and heard. We have to know we have the right to be seen and heard.
Part of being an artist in any learning environment is knowing what we are there to do and why. That doesn’t mean we won’t be challenged—because we will. We will all the time. In fact, that is why we’re there. Challenges allow for growth, as long as our resistance doesn’t hold us back from our own growth. We can’t have that sought-after “breakthrough” until there is an honest awareness and profound understanding of what it is we are actually trying to overcome and learn. We have to be honest with ourselves and remain open to learning and growing. Otherwise, we remain on a merry-go-round of unuseful resistance, continuing to experience an un-evolved, stagnant cycle. Not ideal for an artist.
We have to dive deep within ourselves and the work to discover all the treasures. Sometimes, the true learning comes from unlearning what was once learned. One of the biggest obstacles we may face as actors is developing a tough enough skin to remain open and available to the work as it challenges us in many ways. Often, the work will hold a mirror up to us, and sometimes, it won’t be pleasant to face things that are stifling us or holding us back. But as actors, we have to be willing to stand up and face the music. There is no room for escapism in our kind of work.
As actors and artists, we have to be OK with allowing our instrument to experience discomfort as we grow. We can’t resist or shy away from it because it is that very discomfort that is the exact ingredient to our growth and to fulfilling the most complex realities of complicated circumstances. Our discomfort is pregnant with the substance needed to be utilized in our work. We have to be courageous enough to step out of the “safety blanket” of the ego and into the reality of all that delicious discomfort as the artistic warriors we are.
Through our instrument, we become the vessel to live the most complex, complicated, and even inexplicable essence of the human condition in a very public way. But that kind of necessary bravery must be consistently and safely worked on without consciously trying to run away from it. We have to confront it in the moment and work through it in the moment. It doesn’t just magically happen when we step onto the stage. Working through it, void of resistance, is how real learning begins.
We must stay the course. We cannot let what we weren’t able to overcome or achieve yesterday hold us back from what we may be able to overcome and achieve today. The fact that we continue to stretch our limits and openly reveal ourselves is a true testament to our inner strength, creativity, and light as artists. Do not take for granted the fearlessness that this art form demands. As I always say in all of my classes, it is not for the faint of heart. The artist’s way is to persevere.
179. Embracing Who We Are and the Power of Art in Challenging Times
Let’s discuss the fact that we are all making necessary adjustments to persevere and overcome despite the heaviness of what is going on in our world. Part of being an actor/artist is being on the constant journey of learning who we are under the myriad of circumstances that life presents us. And with what is going on in the world today… right now… we are being given this opportunity now more than ever to go on that very journey.
We can use this time to learn who we are. Who are we without what we do? Who are we without income, friends, family, things, games, etc.? Who are we without? Internally. Who? Without labels of profession, activity, relationships. What’s left? What is the beautiful complexity and substance that lives within all of us without all of the other “stuff”?
We need to lean into that profound discovery and those possible transmutations and transformations. This ‘social-physical-isolation’ is and yet is not a choice. We have to take this time… instead of falling into a pit of worry, despair, and fear that takes us farther away from who we are… What if we walk toward who we are? To understand that we are more than what we do, more than who we hang with, more than our salaries, more than where we live…
What if we take this opportunity to help us grow within even more? The planet is asking us to do this as She heals. And so, we are making these adjustments and persevering as best we can during this time so we can also heal. Let’s do it together.
And yet, as artists, as we go on this journey of learning who we are without, it may be easy or tempting to give up and forget our purpose as artists during these times of great strife. We may forget the power that lives within all of us… and what we are capable of doing with that creative power. It is so important for artists to continue to show up right now (even though we must do so virtually) because there is so much healing that art is capable of achieving.
Our ability to share gives connection to others who may feel lost, disconnected, and isolated. Our work can help others learn who they are through its powerful mirror. Our work can help others connect to themselves. We all need authentic connection within to help others experience authentic connections within. This is our responsibility as artists—to GIVE.
If we think about it, many spend more time with actors in their living rooms more often than with family, friends, or colleagues. And even as we ask who we are without… and even through all of what is going on in our world… we must understand that our work still matters. We… who we are… at our very core… are the instrument of our work. And knowing this, it is so important to remember that our work has meaning! Especially in times such as these!
There is purpose to it. It has function. It is a form of medicine, if you think about it. Never take what we do for granted. Use what is going on in the world and find a way to bring more importance, depth, and meaning to your work… your gifts… who you are… your purpose. That is your creative power. That lives within. Use this time to continue to learn, explore, and discover who you are at the very core so that as you continue to fulfill your purpose here on this planet, you are doing so with that much more authentic, connected, beautiful, and powerful sense of Self.
180. The Power of Awareness in Our Work and the Human Condition
It’s so easy for us to go through our lives without awareness. It’s easy to roll our eyes, judge people, and allow resistance to be our “safe space.” Resistance creates an illusion of safety because it doesn't ask us to confront the things standing in the way of our growth. And because it's easy, we often stay resistant. It's easy not to want to deal with the things that keep us stagnant. However, one of the most important things we must do as actors and artists is to develop our awareness and ask difficult, complex questions about the human condition. Awareness is the key to understanding why our characters do what they do. It is what allows us to find the humanity within the text, turning what is written on a page into something that breathes, waiting for us to give it life.
It’s tempting to think our work is only about learning lines—just black and white letters on a page. But as any respectful artist with integrity knows, that’s not the case. Our awareness and exploration of why we do what we do, why we feel the way we feel, what we ultimately want, and why we want it, are what will help us tap into the life of the character and understand why they do what they do. This extends beyond characters on the written page. In life, we often do things because of unresolved issues, consciously or unconsciously creating relationships in an attempt to resolve those issues or seek “payback” for past wounds. These relationships may not be accountable for the pain we still hold on to, but they are a reflection of the unresolved parts of ourselves.
When we understand this about complex relationships in the real world, we begin to see, understand, and justify why relationships exist in the stories we bring to life. We understand why characters behave the way they do within those relationships or because of them, and the historical circumstances that have shaped them. All of this is part of the process of finding resolution within the story and the character. Our awareness of these dynamics is the key to understanding and fully embodying the human condition in our work.
181. The Challenge and Responsibility of Being Human as an Actor
You know, it’s tough to be human. It’s not an easy job to be a human being. What I think the actor has the opportunity to do is examine that—to examine what it means to be human and why we do what we do, why we feel the way we feel. I don’t think many people realize how difficult it is to be an actor. I don’t think they truly understand how complex it is. One of the most paradoxical things about being an actor, or any artist for that matter, is the ability to reveal the work in a way that seems effortless, like you’re just living. But the truth is, there’s a lot of work that goes into achieving that level of ease and excellence in the work.
Many people have an ‘idea’ of what acting is, but they don’t realize what all it entails. As actors, we need to be aware of what it takes. If we go through life sleepwalking, we don’t have anything to truly connect to, nothing to pull from for our work. We need a full awareness of humanity to be able to invest in what life has to offer and then contribute that to our work as artists. I think the more we expand our consciousness and awareness, both in our own lives and in our contribution to the lives of others and the circumstances our world faces—whether in the present or through history—the more we can draw from it in a way that allows an audience to connect to the circumstances we reveal.
At the end of the day, isn’t that what the job of the actor really is? To reveal something that the masses can connect to, so that they can feel a sense of belonging and healing? I think this asks the actor to uphold the responsibility of understanding and being willing to reveal the human condition in a way that’s not always comfortable or painless. It asks us to look at suffering and try to understand why human suffering is the way it is. And then, we must look within ourselves to see where that suffering lives within us, so that we can connect to it, and then bravely, courageously, honestly, and authentically bring ourselves to the most extraordinary circumstances. We are not just ‘storytellers’—we are truly ‘story-livers.’
182. Understanding the Brokenness in Characters
When a bone breaks, we know why it breaks. There is an event that literally causes the bone to break. And very often, when we see someone who has broken their leg or physically hurt themselves, the common response is, "Oh my God, are you okay?" or "Oh my God, what happened?" We see someone physically in pain, someone struggling in the present moment with a visible wound. Take a moment to think about that. That's the "norm"—the empathetic part of us, the compassionate part of us, sees someone in pain and wants to understand the events that led to that break.
But a lot of the time, we forget that awareness emotionally. We see a character's actions that may be broken, and we automatically judge the actions. We don’t always ask, with a compassionate heart, "What were the series of events that led to this brokenness?" Instead, we just see the actions without understanding—or without being willing to understand—the events that led to the person executing those specific actions. We don’t ask why.
As actors, we have an obligation to artistically connect to the pain and brokenness of the character. We must connect to that brokenness as a means into the character's life, so we don’t get stuck in a world of judgment. We must not block ourselves from inhabiting the character’s world with judgment, resentment, or bitterness. We need to ask ourselves: Where did the break happen? How did the break happen? When did it happen? What were the events, the relationships, and the circumstances that caused this human being to behave or react the way they do?
With a compassionate heart, we must justify—whether the actions are right or wrong—why someone does what they do. And we must explore how everything this person is doing is an attempt to improve their existence, their life, moment to moment. How did they formulate the way they go through life, how they function in life, based on the relationships, events, and circumstances they've experienced? What defense mechanisms have they created to get them through, and how are they searching for solace, for peace, or an improvement in their world through their actions?
We have to remember that the way in is not through our judgment of the "unmentionable." The way in is through our willingness to enter with a compassionate understanding of the historical origin of someone’s pain and suffering, which has caused them to behave in ways we may deem unmentionable. Just like a broken leg, all "brokenness" has its own story that caused the break.
183. The Burdens of Artistic Sensitivity
Let’s get personal… As actors and artists, it is not uncommon to have an extremely sensitive and even empathic instrument. We willingly live our lives experiencing the deepest level of the human experience. We expose our deepest selves—our souls—to the world through our work, not only because of choice but also because, deep down, there is an undeniable calling. We are messengers of what is hidden. We are speakers of what is said and unsaid. We are undoers of what is doctrinated. And we are hopefully the shifters of human consciousness toward that which is good and true.
However, there will be moments in our lives—and in our work—when this can feel like a lot. It can get heavy, burdensome, and even hurt. It can go as far as feeling like we are going to suffocate, in some energetic way, from a never-ending state of despair. In this Masterclass lecture, we open the class by discussing the trials and tribulations we are experiencing in this here and now moment. It would be impossible not to have our feelings shaped by the circumstances happening throughout our planet—socially, politically, environmentally, spiritually, artistically, and dare I say, universally.
We are all connected as key players in this story of life. As creative sensitive beings responsible for revealing all aspects of the human condition, it would be impossible not to feel deeply, within the depths of our soul, the strife that is occurring—and how that inevitably affects not only our personal lives but also our creative and artistic lives.
So, as actors, as artists, and as people who care and are invested in using our gifts, our talents, and our work to stimulate, agitate, and inspire change, how do we deal? How do we make it through? How do we continue to do our work while honoring the intention of our work? How do we stay strong enough to remain open, vulnerable, truthful, and willing to use everything that is happening to fuel the purpose of art—being instruments of light, love, influence, awareness, and change?
How does our craft support us? How does it have our back, especially in times like these, so that we can do the work with that purpose in mind? If you are an actor, an artist, or anyone alive, committed, and invested in what it means to be a key player in this story of life, how do we keep pushing forward?
185. Embracing the Unknown
As human beings, by our very nature, we are constantly facing the unknown of the next moment. There is no way of getting around it. It is an absolute fact of life. As much as we would like to think we have some control, the truth of the matter is, we do not. That’s a pretty scary notion—or I should say, reality—when you stop to consider it. We have no idea what we’re walking into as our next life moment approaches. We don’t know what the next moment will bring. We’re living in the best way we know how, in the here and now, based on what we’ve learned from our past experiences, combined with a pretty incredible natural ability to adjust, adapt, and move forward. Step by step, moment by moment, instinctively—and in many cases, impulsively—based on what life throws at us at any given moment.
Think about how courageous and brave that is. Think about how miraculous that really is. How miraculous you and I are, based on everything humans have had—and still have—to face, moment to moment. For 100% of our lives, we’ve been living in the present moment, which was once an absolute unknown. Then we enter into a completely unknown next moment, carrying with us only the knowledge and preparation that past experiences—of confronting and living through what was, at the time, an unknown moment—have taught us.
As actors, we’re always responsible for doing our preparations to bring any given role the full life that the character deserves. We use our craft to guide us along the way. But despite all the preparation in the world, the true magic—the true living—can only exist within the unknown of the moment. It can never be planned, it can never be blueprinted; it can only be discovered, experienced, and dealt with as it unfolds in the unknown of the moment.
It is the actor’s courage, their bravery, and their full willingness to live moment to moment that allows that magic to happen. That is where the real work is, and where life truly exists. It can only exist in the rawness of the unknown.
Your entire life has been preparing you for this. It’s been training you to work in such an ordinary, yet extraordinarily human way. You and I have no choice but to live this way. But when you really think about it, it’s extraordinary. That bravery, that courage, and that willingness to live your most authentic, honest truth— in relationship to the given circumstances of any world of text—within the complete unknown of each and every moment—is what makes an actor... an actor.
186. Confronting the Inner Monsters
Each of us has, at one time or another, confronted the myriad of “monsters” (as I like to call them) that creep into our conscious everyday lives. We may also secretly battle those hidden “monsters” that lurk in our subconscious, holding us back from truly being who we are, from owning what we do, and from taking the risk of putting ourselves and our work “out there”—despite the possibility of criticism or even the dreaded result of “failure.” These monsters may seem powerful, strong, permanent, unconquerable, insurmountable, and incredibly real.
But the truth is that there is something within each of us capable of moving mountains. Something so great, so powerful, and so REAL within us that we can face these fictitious shadows, dance with them, and watch them dissolve away. When we connect to that unrelenting ally within, we realize that the light turns on, the shadows fade, and the “monsters” disappear.
As professional actors, we are constantly called upon to be brave in all that we do. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t experience those moments—sometimes they may feel quite big—when these “monsters” break in and intrude on our peace. But as long as we remember that we have this unrelenting ally within, we can choose which reality we believe in.
What is the truth? The “monsters,” or the unrelenting ally within us? Where do we put our power? Where do we focus our energy as actors? Where do we place our attention as artists? Which experience do we want to claim as the victor?
Hint: We are not as powerless as we may have been led to believe.
I hope you are all continuing to fuel your artistic lives, create, and make magic!
187. Life as the Ultimate Acting Teacher
One very important point I always emphasize at our studio is that life will always be the most potent, informative, and powerful acting teacher any actor will ever study with. Life itself gets all the credit and acclaim. What we do—this thing called storytelling (or living)—is a mirror or reflection of life. It reflects the human condition from generation to generation. We will always connect with the things we can relate to, and those things will always serve as the stimulus that creates stories.
Because of present circumstances, I felt compelled to share a very critical season in my personal life with one of our classes, along with an important lesson I learned from those circumstances. Due to a severe chronic illness that I fought for many years—often in secret—I almost lost my life on a couple of occasions. I also lost friends, family, my career, my joy, happiness, and even love.
During this time, the one thing I had to do was essentially isolate myself for ten years—to protect myself and my immune system. Yes, ten years. That isolation, that loss of time and life, created a craving that I knew was my calling. Everything I missed out on became my mission. That long, difficult, and often frightening test became my testimony.
The opportunity I was given during that “downtime” allowed me to understand people, circumstances, and life in a way I couldn’t have before. Everything before came easily—until it didn’t. Those circumstances forced me to stop doing what I loved (my career as an actor on stage and screen) and gave me the chance to study the very thing I loved from a completely new perspective. It forced me to witness and understand humanity through a compassionate lens. It forced me to slow down, ask questions, seek answers, and bear witness to others and their pain with a broader view.
Most importantly, it forced me to relate. It completely changed me as a person, actor, and teacher. I was able to see and understand stories in a way I never thought possible. It deepened my relationship with the work, my understanding of characters, and why they do what they do based on the circumstances they face.
Why do I bring this up now? Because during this crucial time in all of our lives, it’s important to remember these three simple yet powerful statements:
What you crave is your calling.
What you miss is your mission.
What you are tested by will be your testimony.
What we are experiencing in the world right now will inevitably create stories—human, beautiful, complicated, layered, heart-wrenching, and victorious stories. Every one of those stories deserves to be heard and witnessed. Each of our stories is backed by the pain we have endured and the struggles we have faced. And all of what we have done to try and overcome that pain and suffering informs our journey.
Tough times and circumstances always test our most vulnerable points, and they reveal what needs our attention and awareness. Our observations and understanding of ourselves and the human condition will ultimately guide how we live truthfully and authentically in our work as actors. This process can often feel inconvenient, difficult, tedious, and maybe even heart-wrenching, especially when there isn’t an immediate payoff.
But the more we stay on track, the more we persevere, the more we continue to refine and cultivate our craft, the more we grow, and the greater the payoff will eventually become. It's about pushing through, even in moments when we feel like we can't go any further. It's not about avoiding the challenges but facing them head-on—being disciplined in our approach to what we want to achieve as artists.
As artists, we must hold ourselves accountable, remain focused, and commit fully to the process. We do this because we love what we do, and because we know there is greatness within us that is worthy of doing the work we love with all our heart and soul. With that invested, mindful commitment, we must remember that the word "ACT" means to do. The artist perseveres even when the impulse is to crumble. The artist moves forward and creates, as creating is the very nature of being an artist.
Our work, this thing called acting, is not for the faint of heart. It is not "substance-less"—it is pregnant with the human condition. In our darkest times, we, the audience, are moved by you, the actor, in our homes or other venues where your work lives. This is why we must take our work seriously and with responsibility. Don’t forget what you do, why you do it, and what it serves. It is a rite, a responsibility, and a gift—and it matters.
Our darkest moments will often be the greatest inspiration for our most important artistic endeavors.
188. Embracing Creative Growth and Overcoming Fear
It is said that doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. When we really take a moment to contemplate this, it becomes absolutely true. Who wants to live the same thing over and over, right? Staying in that kind of non-stop, set structure—without the desire to expand and grow—creates utter stagnation, depriving us of the inspirational gifts that contribute to our creative evolution.
As artists, as co-creators, and as human beings, it is within our genetic makeup to crave creative growth and expansion. We are designed to contribute everything we’ve learned and experienced to the world through our chosen mediums, in order to continue that expansive evolutionary process for the greater good. However, when something new challenges our set belief systems and daily routines, the ego loves to say, "Oh, hell no!" Defense mechanisms often kick in, and fear takes over. This causes us to lock down, white-knuckling onto the familiar, convincing ourselves that an imaginary net is keeping us safe from life’s unpredictable, moment-to-moment changes.
But this is false. It is actually staying in the familiar that leads to our creative demise. It deprives us of the growth and expansion that can only come from experiencing all the newness life offers, moment to unknown moment. As actors and artists, we must be open to change. We must be willing to break the cycle of everyday thinking to experience a higher level of creative consciousness. Sometimes, creative growth and expansion cannot happen unless we are willing to sit with the discomfort that often accompanies change.
Whether we like it or not, there is no escape from this. By the laws of nature, each moment requires a physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual shift within us. As we begin to consciously accept this, we can start the process of truly activating it in our everyday lives. Along the way, there will likely be many twists and turns, challenging our beliefs, our patterns, and whatever else we have held onto. But trust that all has been set in motion so that our creative souls can discover and experience the greatest possible evolution for our individual artistic journeys.
Dismantling creative stagnation can sometimes feel overwhelming due to the restructuring of life patterns from a colloquial essence to one of acute awareness. This is the beginning of change itself—the start of creative healing and metamorphosis. This process may not always be experienced as ‘positive.’ It may take a massive accumulation of traumatic or emotional toxins to reach a present state of stagnation. As these stored poisons release from our creative lives, we might face an unpleasant cleanse mirroring the cause.
We must not be surprised if there are moments when we feel ‘locked’ in our heads, ‘paralyzed’ in our bodies, or experience unpredictable emotional and physical pain. Often, this is the ego desperately trying to avoid change, clinging to its ‘safe identity’ while a cleansing process takes place. Whatever form it may take, trust in the light within the process. Do not resist it. The only thing that holds us back from the gifts of the creative unknown is our fear of that very unknown. Resistance is fear’s way of brainwashing us, and we’ve come too far to be at the mercy of it.
When we dissolve all useless fear and its resistance through conscious awareness, and seek refuge within, all the blocks that imprison us begin to dissolve. We can then experience the change we seek. We grow, we expand, we share. There awaits not only personal and creative freedom but a deep sense of peace and well-being that will be enjoyed within our daily lives—continuing to grow and share with the world.
With all of this in mind, I urge you not to be held back by perceived ‘limitations.’ There is always a way. You must understand that you are the answer to your very own creative life. You are the answer to your work. Allow yourself to become aware that as actors, as artists, as co-creators, you have a calling and even a mission capable of shifting some of the darkest realities humanity still faces, with the aim of creating a better today and tomorrow. But you must take on this role responsibly, with commitment, accountability, respect, compassion, awareness, insight, and pure intent.
Never forget that your voice, your instrument, your actions, and your work are infinitely more powerful than you may have been led to believe. Never underestimate that your individual creative power has the potential to uplift and even heal those you may never meet in this lifetime. Like a pebble gently tossed into a vast pond, the ripple effect will reach all those it’s meant to reach. But you have to be aware of what you can do.
Stay the course. Stay integral to the process. Stay intent. Stay awake. Stay in that creative transformative light. Remain open to your own growth and expansion. You can move mountains. You can always choose to be the lighthouse in the storm. You can continue to blossom, even in the most unlikely places and at the most unlikely times.
189. Embracing Discomfort and Perseverance in the Artistic Journey
As actors, we must learn to be OK with allowing our instrument to experience discomfort. We cannot shy away from it, for it is that very discomfort that holds the key to fulfilling the most complex realities of life’s circumstances. Our discomfort is pregnant with the substance needed to be utilized in our work. It is through our instrument that we become the vessel to express the most complicated and even the most inexplicable private essence of the human condition in a very public way.
In order to do this, we must strive to make our history, our inner life, and our world within those circumstances so vast, so full, so specific, and so rich that they stimulate and maintain all of our attention. This allows us to take the risk to uninhibitedly pursue our needs, moment to unknown moment, with the true nature of action that exists and is necessary within the world of the text. To help us on this journey, we may need to utilize specific tools—tools that allow our inner world to fill and experience those circumstances fully, so we can actively live them with a truthful, raw, authentic, and unpredictable life force.
It is through these tools, using our own personal experiential vocabulary and imagination, and the marriage of the two, along with our willingness and courage, that we stimulate our inner world. This allows us to truly experience and believe in the most complex circumstances so that we can live them authentically and in service of our work. But we must continue to exercise our craft, even in these unprecedented times. We must not get discouraged, and we must not give up. The obstacles we face and the stakes they heighten must fuel the energy and intention we put forth when it comes to our active pursuit of our life’s objectives.
If we spend all of our energy allowing our obstacles to become excuses for why we can’t, we simply won’t give our life’s objectives the energy they need and deserve. Let not fear, doubt, or uncertainty rob us of the very thing we love. Instead, let them fuel the flames of our passion to adapt, adjust, find a way, and overcome. Allow the passion in your heart and the fire in your belly to be the fuel that keeps you moving forward, despite everything “out there” that may attempt to keep you from persevering.
You are more powerful than you have been led to believe, dear artists. You are essential. The only way to lose sight of the dream is by giving up on it. So don’t give up! Continue to invest the necessary sweat equity into what you want to make happen for yourself. Remember, we get what we put into the dream, and the universe undeniably meets us where we are and responds accordingly. So persevere, dear artists. Stay safe, stay mindful, stay creative, stay on purpose, and stay on the path of the dream.
190. Commitment, Passion, and Perseverance in the Artistic Journey
Commitment. Investment. Perseverance. Love. Passion. Talent. Hard work. Art. All human beings are striving, moment by moment, to improve their present situation. As actors and artists, our passion is the fire that propels us forward, despite the many obstacles that attempt to hinder our progress. We must hold onto the belief that every hardship plants the seed for a transformative victory. The more difficult our journey, the more impactful our experience becomes, and the circumstances we navigate shape and inspire all of our artistic endeavors.
So, persevere courageously, dear artist. Continue to create. Find a way—any way at all—to do your creative work, pursue your life's passion, follow your heart's desire, and fulfill your soul's purpose. Let obstacles inspire you, rather than stop you. It is in times like these, when the world seems to be at a standstill, that we must not curl up and give up. Instead, we must rise. The creative warrior within each of us exclaims, "OK, I am just beginning!" Our greatest adversities are often the very things that map out our creative journey, helping us discover our own creative greatness.
It is during these times that we manifest art, and the world will always need art. So, continue to persevere courageously, even though we must do so responsibly and virtually. We carry on, stay focused, stay driven, and stay on purpose. We do this not just for ourselves but for all of us, for all the artists and our beloved audiences. Our ability to share our gifts creates connection with others who may feel lost, disconnected, or isolated. And in these moments, authentic connection is more necessary than ever.
This is our great gift as artists—to identify, to share, to give, to reveal, and to connect. If we think about it, many people spend more time with actors in their living rooms, watching movies or TV shows, than they do with family or friends. Even in the face of everything going on in the world, our work still matters. It is important, meaningful, and purposeful. Our art is a form of medicine, offering comfort and connection to those who need it most.
Together, we continue to create with the objective of connecting—somehow, someway. So, we press on. We study. We train. We exercise. We identify. We share. We reveal. We give. And we do our work, because it is our calling, and it is vital.
191. The Actor's Perseverance Through Life's Challenges
Dear Actor,
Life will always throw curveballs our way, but in those critical moments, we face a choice: Do we let these circumstances defeat us and cause us to crumble, or do we allow them to awaken something in us—a perseverance we didn’t know we had? Do we use these challenges to ignite a determination to better ourselves and, ultimately, help others along the way?
Let’s be honest—life often teaches us that our most profound growth comes from unexpected sources. It’s usually some kind of immense strife or obstacle that compels us to dive deep into self-discovery. This painful journey, though long and difficult, strengthens our inner constitution and puts the puzzle pieces of our personal truth together. Yes, it hurts, but it’s through that pain that we find growth. The more difficult the journey, the stronger we become. So, when those dark hours inevitably come, they deserve to be met with gratitude, as they guide us toward our own awakening, transformation, and creative inspiration.
As artists, we are often unaware of the incredible role we play as light workers. We see things others might not want to see. We feel things that others may avoid. Through our art, we have the ability to bring awareness to the world, shifting consciousness and moving society toward a better tomorrow. This is a beautiful gift we offer, but it requires perseverance, even when it may seem impossible. We cannot shy away from discomfort or avoid our responsibilities. Instead, we must embrace the discomfort, using the love and passion within us as fuel to keep going.
You, dear actor, must know that you and your experiences are worthy of being witnessed. You have to trust yourself enough to let go and continue, even when everything around you seems uncertain. The moments we experience are fleeting, and as actors, we must seize the now—because what we do is needed in this very moment. Our job is to live the most profound, private essence of the human condition in a public way, bringing those complex stories to life for the world to see.
Trust that the answers are within you. You are more than enough, equipped with imagination and unwavering faith in the world you are here to help shape. Through our work, we hold the light in the darkest storms. We use our voices to connect others, sharing universal truths of the human condition and never leaving anyone behind. We are more powerful than we are often told, and more important than we realize. It’s time to believe in our truth and the extraordinary influence of our gifts, knowing they have the potential to make a real difference.
We must rise to the occasion, trusting ourselves fully. Even in moments when caring feels overwhelming, we must continue to care. We must harness the enormous energy within us—the energy that can transform time and space—to do good, to do our work, and to help. Our work is meant to reach those who need it most, and we must carry that responsibility with honor.
As truth-tellers of humanity, we have a duty to step into this role with courage and commitment. If not you, dear actor, then who?
192. The Resilience of the Artist
Dear Actor, Dear Artist, Dear Creative,
There is so much happening in the world right now, and it can be overwhelming. In fact, it can feel disorienting and even disheartening at times. But in these trying moments, it’s crucial that we remember who we are as artists. We’ve always faced difficult times, yet somehow, we’ve always managed to push through. We possess a superhuman stamina, creative courage, and a fierce determination. We have a relentless drive, an incredible investment in our craft, and an unshakable passion.
And most importantly, we have our dreams.
So, I encourage you to remember or re-mind yourself of this: No person, no circumstance, and no external force should ever have the power to break down your love for your art or your passion for what you were meant to do. Let the artist within you live and flow freely. There is no person powerful enough, no organization strong enough, and no situation big enough to dismantle your unbreakable spirit and who you are.
You are an artist. Plain and simple. You are an actor. Plain and simple. You are a creative. Plain and simple. Even if you're not doing what you love right now, or if circumstances are preventing you from pursuing your art, it’s still who you are. It’s in your DNA, in your heart, in your spirit, in your soul, and in your calling.
The greatest success an artist can ever experience comes from the trustworthy ally within—the part of you that knows exactly who you are, what you do, what you want to do, and what you were meant to do. Never, ever let anyone or anything take that away from you.
So, keep daydreaming. Keep painting. Keep drawing. Keep playing. Keep making music. Keep singing. Keep dancing. Keep acting. Keep creating. Keep living as the artist that you are! No matter what life throws at you, always find the strength within to keep getting up.
You will be doing what you love soon enough. The world is so thankful for artists like you who have given so much to humanity. Keep going, and know that your contributions are appreciated.
193. Finding Your Creative Tribe
You will always know your creative tribe when you can live your most authentic self in each other's presence. In this space, you will never feel alone. You will never walk away feeling lonely. There will always be a generous spirit, an undeniable human-to-human connection, and a desire to share something deep and real. There are many factors that magnetize us to our creative tribe: There is the love of art. There is the gift and blessing of talent. There is the joy of creation. There is the hunger for exploration. There is the fearlessness of struggle. There is the excitement of discovery. There is the passion for revealing. There is the openness for expression. There is the desire for investigation that stimulates understanding, empathy, and compassion. There is the unquenchable thirst of unceasing curiosity. And there is the delicious appetite for transformational storytelling.
And we have to understand: It is sometimes through the darkest of moments and the most inexplicable circumstances that we are guided to our creative tribe. These very circumstances, which may seem to break us, are often the same ones that open our hearts and spirits, inspiring us to awaken to something greater than we ever imagined. These circumstances may very well pave the way to our greatest purpose, our greatest potential. All human beings, at some point, will own a story of hardship. That is part of the human experience. But within hardship lives an individual and universal story of how struggle can pave an unexpected path to perseverance, growth, inner strength, compassion, insight, understanding, creative inspiration, and connection. In these moments, we gather with others and say: "Yes, I know. Me as well. I see you. I understand. Let’s not let it be in vain. Let’s do something remarkable with it all!"
And so we find our tribe, or our tribe finds us. A tribe that forms through the most unlikely, yet somehow likely, of circumstances. A tribe that is generous in knowledge, creativity, heart, compassion, passion, love, support, kinship, responsibility, accountability, creativity, talent, and spirit. Because of these shared circumstances, we recognize one another. We see each other. We understand each other. We care for each other. We support each other. And, yes, we love each other—from one artist to another, from one actor to another, from one human to another. That is the magic of an ensemble. Together we learn. Together we explore. Together we discover. Together we grow. Together we expand. Together we struggle. Together we break through. Together we succeed. Together we share. Together we give. Together we make art. Together we tell and live stories. Together we reveal the human condition. And together, we hold onto the fact that once we make it out of the fire, there will be—and already is—beauty within the ashes, leading to our life’s greatest contributions.
194. Perseverance Through Strife
Sometimes, you will need to walk through your very own Hades to reach your own Utopia. You may endure a lot, and at times, you may find yourself suffering. But if you keep persevering, if you stay focused on what you want, if you continue believing in what you're doing, and if you simply do not give up, you will find that all the hardship pays forward by bringing something profoundly fulfilling into your life.
There may be times when you feel like crying because it hurts so much, and other times when you’ll laugh with joy because you made it through. Once you make it out of that fire, you will finally see all the beauty hidden within the ashes.
Each of us has our own story of strife and struggle, but we also all have the potential for a deserving and awe-inspiring victory.
Dear artist, you are more powerful than you have been led to believe. The only way to lose sight of your dream is by simply giving up on it. So, do not give up. You and your dreams are essential to this world and this lifetime.
Continue to invest the necessary sweat equity into making your dreams happen. Remember, you get what you put into your dreams. The (YOU)niverse simply meets you where you are and responds accordingly.
Get your dreams out of the dream-state and work hard to turn them into your reality. Your talent can only take you as far as the professional accountability you maintain to do something with it.
Remain accountable. Remain responsible. Remain dependable. Remain open. Remain mindful. Remain creative.
Remain as strong as a gladiator, yet as vulnerable as a child. Remain hungry for your craft, driven by your work. Remain a student of life. Stay on purpose.
Remain focused, conscious, and questioning. Be present and on time (preferably early). Remain hardworking but free of unnecessary tension.
Remain business-savvy, professional, and respectful. Remain compassionate, understanding, and empathic. Be self-nurturing.
Remain perseverant and patiently impatient as you stay on the path toward the dreams that your heart and soul intend to experience.
195. The Power of Humanity in Acting
It is not just our technique that will do the job. Nor is it our expertise that will get us there and make the difference. While technique and expertise may play a role, they are not what define the actor. Our technique serves as a tool, a guide to help remind us of the true humanness in our work, but it is not what holds the creative power to move and transform.
What truly matters is our humanity. Our humanity is the most important and necessary ingredient. It is through our humanity that we serve the story, the character, and the theater itself. We serve by bringing our humanity into the work, and we create from the deepest part of ourselves—our soul.
196. The Actor's Responsibility to Human Suffering
It’s tough to be human. It’s not an easy job to be a human being. What I think the actor has the opportunity to do is to examine that—to ask, "What is it to be human?" and "Why do we do what we do?" and "Why do we feel the way we feel?"
Many people don’t realize how difficult it is to be an actor, nor do they understand the complexity of the work. One of the most paradoxical aspects of being an actor—or any artist, really—is the ability to reveal the work in a way that seems effortless, like you’re just living. But the truth is, there’s a lot of work that goes into achieving that level of ease and excellence.
Many have an idea of what acting is, but they don’t realize the depth and struggle involved. As actors, we need to be aware of what it truly takes. If we go through life sleepwalking, we won’t have anything meaningful to connect to for our work. We need full awareness of humanity to invest in what life has to offer, so we can contribute it to our artistic endeavors.
Expanding our consciousness, expanding our awareness in our own lives, and hopefully contributing to others' lives are essential parts of this process. But most importantly, we must connect deeply with others. Ultimately, isn't that the actor's job? To reveal something we can all connect to, so we all feel a sense of belonging, a sense of community, and even healing?
The actor’s responsibility is to understand and reveal the human condition, sometimes in uncomfortable ways, sometimes by confronting pain and suffering. We must look at human suffering and try to understand why it exists. Then, we look within ourselves to see where that suffering lives in us, so we can connect with it authentically and bravely.
People suffer—that's a universal truth. We all carry some form of brokenness. But just as a bone break is easy to identify and understand, emotional wounds often go unrecognized. When we see someone physically hurt, we instinctively ask, "Are you okay? What happened?" But when it comes to emotional pain, we don’t always ask with the same compassion, "What caused this pain?"
As actors, we have an obligation to connect to the character’s pain—artistically and safely. We must connect to their brokenness in a way that helps us understand their life without judgment. It’s easy to judge the actions of a character, but we must ask important human questions with an open heart. "Where did the break happen?" "How did it happen?" "What were the circumstances and relationships that led to this?" "Why does this person behave the way they do?"
By asking these questions with compassion, we begin to understand the motivations behind the character's actions. We recognize that their behavior is a way to improve their existence—an attempt to find peace or solace based on their past experiences. Our job is to enter that character’s world with an understanding of the historical origin of their pain and suffering, just as we would with a broken bone.
We, as actors, are not just story-tellers; we are story-livers. Each one of us has a story worthy of being witnessed. Through our work, we bring light to these stories, and we connect with humanity in ways that transcend judgment, showing the beauty that lies in the healing process.
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