The Business of Being ______(_fill in the Blank)

This is a business of many things.  It is a business of success, fame, fortune, passion.  It is also a business of disappointment, rejection, determination, and consistency.  However, I ask you.....

What is this a business of for you at this moment in your career?

Secondly....

How do you handle yourself through all these moments?

For myself, I am a very passionate person both as an artist and a teacher.  Also with my upbringing, my amazing parental units have instilled in me the ability to be humble and grateful.  When I am riding that roller coaster up, I remember that there are some many things and people that have gotten me to this place.  

I am currently working a day job in a theater, and there is one actress in the show who has taken the time to thank the front of house staff many times as well as many other people.  It is this appreciation that I feel also enhances her work on stage because her presence on stage is so enriching and alive.  I believe it is all this positive energy that is radiating out even in such a dark piece.  Therefore remember that in this business we are all in this together.  

Also in a sense of the dreaded day job....look at it as an opportunity...an opportunity to look at human interaction and human connection.  Knowing how these human interactions are intertwined can only make your work that much more connected.

Also I secretly love that people are reading my blog...a talented young chap who is successfully bringing connection and joy to the stage graced me with his presence at my current day job and  I have turned my perspective on this job into an opportunity of learning rather than a chain of disappointment.  The young chap is Mr. Nick Flatto and shout out to you!  You all you should check him out at http://www.nickflatto.com/!

As always we are all in this together...in this business and more importantly in this world.  The arts have the ability to spark change in this world .  Remember that a smile, a handshake, and a thank you can go a long way.

At the end of the day this is is business of being so many things ......But most importantly for me, it is a business of being able to affect a person's life in way that makes a difference for that one moment in time.

Be grateful, be kind, and be in the moment!

McGee

Dare to Connect

When you hear the word connection what are the first three words that come to mind? And go.....

For myself....link, relationships, communication.

Connection is defined as relationship where a  person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.


Then I dare to ask you....as a person how connected are you? And as an actor, how connected are you to the work that you are doing?

In an age where social media has allowed us to connect us to so many people, I feel myself  less and less engaged with what is happening to me in the life in front of me that I have a false sense of connection with people...How many pictures of food have I liked or posted a status in hopes that people will like it?  Then I ask.... when was the last time you picked up the phone and actually talked to the person who liked your latest status update...

As an introverted person, there is some comfort in all these ideas.  However, as I challenge myself to engage with people at dinner parties or at other social events that in the past I would avoid, that through the anxiety of those first uncomfortable moments, I have a deeper sense of connection and happiness.

Therefore, my challenge to you as a person is in this new year disconnect in order to connect.  Find 2 hours a week where both the phone and computer are turned off....don't post, tweet, text, instragram   but actually engage with someone in front of you for that time..Try it ....see how it feels...I will be accepting this challenge as well.

But yes I know what you might be asking...this sounds great but how does this relate to acting?
My response....everything.  If you are more attune to how to connect, your work on stage or on screen will be more grounded.  Acting is also reacting and if you are able to truly connect with the  material and your scene partner..... that is where the magic happens..  I am sure you have seen a performance where an actor is not engaged and is "phoning" it in.

I say turn off that phone in order to avoid "phoning" in those connections in your life and in your artistic work...that's when the true connection will happen.

Three words for 2014

Connect. Collaborate.Create

Connect with the moment in front you.
Collaborate with someone who inspires you
Create the life you dare to dream of.

Cheers

Patty G. McGee