As the year comes to an end, I think we all should reflect on our lives. Since this is a blog about being a working actor, let's focus on our lives in the Performing Arts. It's a busy time of year, with friends and family, parties and celebrations so I'll be brief.
Did this year bring you everything you wanted? Did Santa Claus bring you that starring role in a movie, that Broadway contract and/or that recurring role on a hit TV show? Fame? Fortune? Success?
If Santa did, then congratulations! Apparently you've been very good this year. If he didn't then I suspect you're on his Naughty list. Perhaps it's because you echo the sentiments in this video:
(warning: there are three swear words in the song)
Of course Mrs. April Stewart is very talented. She's worked hard at her craft. The song isn't her story. However the song does tell the story of the way some actors, new and old, think. There's a sense of entitlement. This'll get you on Santa's Naughty list faster than putting gum in Susie's hair.
In Life there is no entitlement. There are exceptions to this (the Kardashians for example) and we see them everyday. Hell, we help contribute to their entitlement. The best we common folk can do is hope what we put into our careers is equal to what we get back from our careers: Hope all of our hard work and planning will come to fruition.
But let's be honest. It does take hard work to have a successful career. It does take preparation. It does take laying out a strategy, making goals to move you towards what you want to accomplish.
Everyone thinks Santa is such a kind and loving person. But truthfully, for theatre folks he's a sadist. He's not giving up any performance booty until he sees blood sweat and a hell of a lot of tears.
If you want to be on Santa's Nice list in 2015 and get all that your greedy little Actor heart desires, then be prepared to work and work hard.
It's a simple gift I give you, the gift of knowledge. You may not like it and it may not fit but it's yours. Keep reading in 2015 as we set goals and make plans to conquer the Performing Arts world and kick Santa's sick sadistic behind
Oh and...
"...I wish you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year too..."
