The Reason Most Actors Fail AND How You Can Avoid It.

Friends, today’s post is probably going to hurt. To be completely honest, I bet most of you stop reading this blog post before you get all the way to the end because it’s going to feel like I’m calling you out. Which I kind of am.  But I’m doing this so that you can grow. I promise. I’m only writing this because I care and I really want you to succeed.

Before we dive too deep, I’m going to share this quote with you to frame the structure for this post: 

“The feeling of being offended is a warning indicator that is showing you where to look within yourself for unresolved issues.” – Bryant H. McGill

In my thousands of hours coaching actors one on one and in workshops not to mention observing many actors in the industry, I have noticed one thing that I see actors do that stands in their way more than anything else. It has almost become a sure-fire signal of when their career will either stall or fail to start. 

Here it is:  

They look for the “easy” or “sexy” things to grow their career rather than doing the work they know they need to do.

I attended a conference this spring where Stage Door Unlocked had an exhibit booth. We were across the aisle from a stage combat training company. This conference was really geared at college students and recent college grads – our target demographic. As you know, Stage Door Unlocked offers training in a lot of things – voice, acting, business skills, audition prep, etc. Many if not all of these things are areas that recent grads need to have a successful career. 

Our booth was almost ALWAYS empty. Yet, the Stage Combat booth was ALWAYS packed. 

The stuff Stage Door Unlocked works with actors on gets used every day. Stage Combat – while useful – is actually rare in its application. BUT it’s fun. It’s “sexy.” 

I’m not sharing this to say, “Oh poor Stage Door Unlocked, no one came to our booth.” I’m saying this because it’s part of a bigger issue in how actor’s look at their careers. 

People will pay through the nose for the fun stuff. But the fun stuff is not what you actually need. 

Having those skills is nice, but the hard stuff is what REALLY will allow you to be successful. If you don’t put in the effort on those things and always jump to the fun things, you won’t have a foundation to build your career off of. 

It is crucial that you do the hard things. The things that aren’t fun. I know, I know doing the business stuff or the in-depth technique work on your audition pieces isn’t fun. More than likely, they aren’t fun because they expose vulnerabilities in your skills.  

We fall for the fun flashy things because they seem easy. We fall for the influencers on social media trying to sell things like “grow your acting career with voice over” or “use social media to get bookings” because that seems fun. That seems easy. We don’t have to do the work. 

Here’s the truth: To be successful in those areas – you have to put in the work. 

Think about it: If these people selling you these are saying “here are the tricks I used to grow my acting career…” when trying to sell you something, remember they had time to build and launch an entire course. If they had time to make that course and do all of that promotion, are they REALLY a working actor? Are they a working actor or an influencer? More importantly: Which do YOU really want to be? 

If that answer is a working actor, you’re going to have to put in the work. That means the following: 

-       Stop looking for the fast and easy way to do things. Invest TIME into your career. No one who has won a Tony or Emmy or Oscar got where they are by cheating the system. Meryl Streep is not Meryl Streep because of click bait.

-       Develop audition repertoire that actually sells you as a product and shows us who we could really cast you as, not what you think is fun to sing. 

-       Develop honesty in your repertoire and in your brand and show us that across everything you do – in the room, on your website, on your social media, your emails, your headshots, resumes, etc.

-       Base decisions in your career off of what is working. Track things in an audition journal that allow you to notice patterns: Do you always get called back with a particular piece? Does a certain casting director always comment on that one audition outfit you wear? Do you audition better in the morning or in the afternoon? Track these things and adjust accordingly.

-       Put in the hard work to understand the craft of acting. Know that acting is not about YOU feeling things. It’s about your ability to make the AUDIENCE feel things. Ask the hard questions about your work: Find the YOU in every piece you perform and every character you play. Work with a coach who can help you find that. It’s not about performing and looking good. It’s about being real. 

-       Always ask yourself if the type of work you want to do NEEDS the skill you are looking to develop. If you have no desire to do old jazz age musicals, why are you wanting to add more legit technique for that sound to your training? If you have no desire to be in a dance ensemble, why are you so worried about taking tap? Develop the skills you ACTUALLY need to have the career you want. 

-       Make training decisions off of your career goals and make smart business moves. Avoid things that you think will get you “discovered” or might get you cast. Instead, focus on skills you ACTUALLY need to develop. Be honest with yourself and admit your failings. Admit what you don’t know. 

-       Work with Coaches that REALLY know what they are doing. Don’t choose a coach because of their acting resume. Just because they “made it big” doesn’t mean they have the ability to help you make it big. Don’t “stunt coach.” Study with people who stake their careers on their ability to coach, not “an actor who coaches.” Base decisions on what their clients have accomplished – that is the mark of a good coach. 

-       Stop playing “influencer” games to get followers and think logically about how the industry actually works. No one is cast because a Casting Director found them on Tik Tok. Casting directors do not have time to “browse” social media. That’s not how it works. 

-       STOP networking and ACTUALLY make connections. Networking is NOT about connecting with people who can do something for you. This is where actors make mistakes at these events. It’s about meeting people YOU can do something for. Network to develop friendships not people you can use to get where you want to go. Networking is “sexy.” Stop that. Connect with people and treat them less like a potential ladder climbing opportunity and more as someone who could be a valued friend. 

-       Do the hard work of studying and learning the industry. Learn why the industry works the way it does. Learn why talent has very little do with your ability to sing, dance, and act and more to do with your ability to connect with people. Learn how the money works in the industry and why people “buy” what they do. Your career and resume will thank you.

Don’t do what is good for this moment. That’s not putting in work. Don’t do something that seems like it MIGHT get you a role, do the things that WILL get you a role. Invest in the hard things. Invest in your career’s long-term success. You’ll be so glad you did. 

These are just a few examples of things to think about. If you would like to talk more in depth, please connect with me and I’d be more than willing to help you. 

You’re Awesome. Be Awesome. I’ll See You Soon.

Best Wishes!

-       Nate