What Do You Think?

Over the years I've had the great fortune of working as a casting reader for some very successful and famous artists of both Broadway and the silver screen. 

I remember one project in particular when I was helping out a very well-known and talented director. More importantly, she was also one of the warmest and most thoughtful people I'd ever met.

One afternoon, she asked me what I thought about the music arrangement in her play. Mind you, this production was about to appear on Broadway. I remember being very taken aback by the fact she valued what I had to say. And it wasn't because I didn't feel I had anything important to offer, but because she had a very seasoned and intelligent brain trust at her disposal. Nonetheless, she wanted to know what I thought.

I shared my opinion and could tell she really took them into consideration. It was a remarkable lesson in both humility and in understanding no matter how big you get, you can still be thoughtful, and appreciate that everyone has something worth to contributing.

Master Class

For many years in New York I worked as a casting reader. The projects varied in scope, but invariably I'd be called in to help out with projects every actor dreams of - large-scale Broadway productions reading opposite giants of the theater and occasionally silver screen.

Friends would often pepper me with questions about what so-and-so was like, or what the secret to a great audition was. But mostly, they wanted to know about the career and lives of the stars.

My observations and insights seldom led up to expectation, but I was telling the truth. "They're just people," I'd say. "They get just as nervous before an audition as you or me." But perhaps the most valuable lesson I took away was that you never not have challenges. As you steadily rise higher in your career, you simply trade your old issues for a new set of ones.