Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

“I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it.” -Terry Malloy in On The Waterfront “Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.” —Arthur Miller, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan Does the belowContinue reading “Woulda Coulda Shoulda”

A prior post was about sunk costs. They deal with the past. We should also be aware of opportunity costs. They deal with the future. In microeconomic theory, the opportunity cost is the loss of value or benefit that would be incurred (the cost) by engaging in an activity or choosing an option, versus/relative toContinue reading “Opportunity Cost”

One of the most brilliant pieces of acting advice I ever received was this: “The frustration is the acting.” All the stuff that happens in between your next line–often the opposite of what you want as the character, yet are feeling deeply–is riveting to watch and super fun to play. No one exemplifies this moreContinue reading “The Frustration Is The Acting”

Yes it’s great to be the champion. But you know what’s even greater? To champion someone else. Or cause. Or organization. Or piece of art you really believe in. Who or what can you champion today?

“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.” -Joan Didion Playwrights… Leave your thesis statements behind. Don’t try to prove anything. Don’t know where you’re going. Instead, know your characters inside and out. Put them inContinue reading “No Thesis Required”

There’s a famous acting adage that goes: “The more interested you are, the more interested we are.” This is why we can endlessly watch babies at play. Or people fully engaged in their work (aka “flow”). Even the old man feeding the pigeons in the park can be captivating. (This is why authentic behavior onContinue reading ““Where’d That Come From?””

There’s a lot of interest today on the topic of morning routines. It’s a frequent podcast question. There are several books devoted solely to it. Lots of social media around it. And understandably so. It makes intuitive sense to get your day off to a good start. After all…You are the power plant. What getsContinue reading “Evening Routines”

A most generous act you can do for a friend and fellow actor is to think of a role(s) they’d be great in and tell them. Call them up and ask, “Hey, have you every thought of playing (insert role and play)? You’d be awesome in it! Here’s why….” This is actually an assignment weContinue reading ““Have You Ever Thought Of Playing?…””

“The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.” -J.D. Salinger, Nine Stories “I’m going to need all of you. Put your embarrassment in a box and set that box on fire, when I clap you clap.”Continue reading “One Hand Clapping”

“Telemachos saw Athene and went straight to the forecourt, the heart within him scandalized that a guest should still be standing at the doors. He stood beside her and took her by the right hand, and relieved her of the bronze spear, and spoke to her and addressed her in winged words: ‘Welcome, stranger. YouContinue reading “Come From Away”