Why do I have to produce my own sh*t?

So I've been at this acting game for quite some time. For better or worse, I love it. It is my passion and it is what makes me happy. But of course, when you spend many years pursuing a career that hasn't exactly been lucrative to say the least, you start to reconsider your tactics.

Over the years I've gone on many an audition. Some of them have yielded results but most of them have pretty much been a learning experience. Which is the nature of the beast. I accept that. But after a while, you just get tired of people failing to recognize your genius.

One stretch of auditions just made me feel like I was in a feedback loop. I auditioned for three Shakespeare companies in a row and I swear that each one of the guys I auditioned for were long-haired, middle-aged hippies who knew way too much about Shakespeare. On top of that, they couldn't just let me audition and go on with my life. They had to give a lecture on all of its intricacies. I mean, seriously, I love Shakespeare as much as the next actor but I don't need to hear about Shakespeare used words with vowels to convey emotions. Shut up!

But I digress.

A few months ago, I went to a seminar where the subject was producing your own work. It was hosted by the guy named Munroe Mann. Now he was a really nice guy but he did seem a little douchy. However, I have to admit that I had a great admiration for him. He was a lawyer, actor, author, producer, and one of the hardest working people I had ever encountered. He spoke about how, in this industry, talent is assumed. (Even though I've seen many exceptions) So in order to have true success, you have to be willing to be creative. That if you do what everyone else is doing, you'll get the same results. And one way to find your own work is to make it.

Then it dawned on me: I am a smart, well-rounded, and capable individual. While I do love acting, I am capable of expressing myself in many ways. I have also proven that when I put my mind to it, I can accomplish anything. So why should I wait? Why should I rely solely on other people's perception of my talent? And even if I do get work, why should I be limited to contributing solely as an actor?

The answer, of course, is that there is nothing stopping me from doing anything that I want to do. So to start, I began writing a short film for myself. The first couple of drafts are completed. Once it's finished, I will produce this script. This is going to happen. This is not wishful thinking and this is not hope. This is a plan. And I love this plan. I'm very excited about this plan. And I can't wait to show you, my loyal reader, what I come up with.

And when it rains, it pours. It turns out that several of my colleagues had come to a similar conclusion about their respective career paths. So we have currently joined forces and formed a theatre company. It is called the American Bard Theatre Company and we will have our inaugural production in late October. It is a collection of scenes that I had an integral part in putting together. And, I wrote the prologue for the evening which, if I may brag, is the funniest and most clever piece of writing ever. (If you don't believe me, see it for yourself: www.americanbard.org for reservations)

Sitting back and being passive was never really my thing. Taking some initiative on what I want to do and how I want to be perceived just feels right. I feel re-energized. I feel excited. I'm really looking forward to how all of these projects will turn out. And on top of that, it has also inspired my auditions because I can go into them without feeling like they are my only opportunities to work. My destiny is in my own hands. I guess that's always been the case but you really can't say it enough.