True acting isn't about slapping on a fake smile or tricking the audience with smoke and mirrors. Nope, it's about getting raw – peeling back the layers until what's left is nothing but the real, unvarnished you. It's about connecting with something deep inside and sharing it with the world. That's not easy. It's why only a handful of folks ever get branded as "great" in the dizzying world of showbiz. But — hold your applause — here's the kicker: learning the art of genuine performance can unlock doors you never even noticed. And that's what my Actor's Break newsletter is all about. Peeling back the curtain, not only on the stage but in life's grand performance too. So how about it? Ready to drop the pretense and discover the power of your authentic self? Join us while it's still on the house — because soon, it'll be as exclusive as a backstage pass. If you think this is just about acting, think again. The lessons are universal — trust me... it's gonna be one heck of a show.
Why your competition is not who you think
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Hey there, I'm going to throw you straight into the deep end of a tale from my teaching days at Shenandoah Conservatory. Picture this . . . Wide-eyed freshmen acting and musical theatre majors, and me, the guy who usually cracks the room up. Today, I'm dead serious. So they're fidgeting, whispering "what's up with him?" But they had no idea what was coming. I break the silence. "Listen up, buttercups. The faculty and I have had a talk. Inside this mysterious envelope," — I waggle it for effect — "lies a secret. A name for each of you. The one person who's your true rival here." Tension so thick, you could cut it with a spoon. I hand these out, the students' name on each folded fortune, telling them, "Hold your horses, don't peek yet." Once all tucked in their sweaty palms, I say, "Ready for it? Your nemesis, the Thespian to beat, your true competition at this school is..."—dramatic pause—"right there in your hand." The room's a cocktail mix of fear and thrill. "Go on, unfold it," I command. And there it is, the grand revelation—one word staring back at them: You Surprised? You shouldn't be. You've been in the race with yourself from day one. So what are you going to do about it? Catch you in the spotlight, — Tom "Lessons from the Stage" Brooks P.S. Want to steer clear of the competition and be the star player? Let's talk strategy. Subscribe to my Actor's Break newsletter → Click here |
The Essential Actor's Headgear
Tom Brooks
True acting isn't about slapping on a fake smile or tricking the audience with smoke and mirrors. Nope, it's about getting raw – peeling back the layers until what's left is nothing but the real, unvarnished you. It's about connecting with something deep inside and sharing it with the world. That's not easy. It's why only a handful of folks ever get branded as "great" in the dizzying world of showbiz. But — hold your applause — here's the kicker: learning the art of genuine performance can unlock doors you never even noticed. And that's what my Actor's Break newsletter is all about. Peeling back the curtain, not only on the stage but in life's grand performance too. So how about it? Ready to drop the pretense and discover the power of your authentic self? Join us while it's still on the house — because soon, it'll be as exclusive as a backstage pass. If you think this is just about acting, think again. The lessons are universal — trust me... it's gonna be one heck of a show.
Quick shout out to the hundreds of thousands of you amazing talents rocking it in community theaters. You folks are nailing it! 🎭 There is amazingly brilliant acting to be witnessed on those stages. But hey, if you’ve been dreaming about the big leagues in professional theatre, there’s stuff to know that might surprise you. Like, the atmosphere at pro auditions? It’s a whole different ball game. Walk in casual like it’s rehearsal at your local playhouse, and you might just get sidelined. And...
You know how you rewatch a flick that you hadn't seen for years— but now you "get it" at a level you didn't before? Yet the movie didn't change. You did. Your life experience affects your "filters." Your filters determine what you perceive. Think your eyes are showing you the HD version of the world? Think again. It's actually not. Now stick with me. I'm laying down a few threads here... You do not see what you think you are seeing. Imagine you're chilling in your kitchen. You’re scrolling...
Imagine standing onstage, script shaking in your hand, heart pounding like it's going to burst through your chest. You glance down at the words, but they might as well be hieroglyphics. Sounds familiar? Maybe you're thinking, 'Hey, cold readings are not my biggest audition fear.' Well, cool! That just tells me there's another monster under the bed. What is it that makes your palms sweaty and your voice quake? I'm genuinely curious because knowing this can change everything. Here's why this...