Wait

Signing up at Actors' Equity

Easy now.

Hush, love, hush.
Don't distress yourself,
What's your rush?
Keep your thoughts
Nice and lush.

Wait.*

This week, I went to the Equity Membership department and signed myself up!  To say I have been waiting and hoping to get my Equity card for a while now is an understatement.  It does not come easy.  And nor should it.

Posing!

Before I went, my friend Toni Stanton (an Equity business rep) was so excited for me and wanted to meet me and come with me to see me make it official.  I met her at her office and we went down to the membership department together and the lovely John Fasulo (National Director of Membership) came out to congratulate me.

Toni and I were in a short play in a festival off-off Broadway years ago when I first moved here. I first met John at an E.M.C. (Equity Membership Candidate) meeting and he was so informative and supportive. I've kept in touch with both of them over the years.

They both know, in depth, (as does anyone who will listen!) about my struggles with immigration and Equity.  The first thing Toni said to me was "You got your Green card and five minutes later you're getting your Equity card!"

In many respects it was relatively fast.  Just a few months. But in reality, it has been seven years of hard work in the making.

I gave up my full time teaching job in 2008 (I had been a high school drama teacher for eleven years). I thought I would be married with children but God had another plan for me.

Giving up and moving to another country and a city like New York was terrifying and wonderful. I still pinch myself when I walk home and pass Grand Central and The Chrysler Building.

Job hunting when Backstage was still in newspaper form.

Hush, love, hush.

Think it through.

Once it bubbles, 

Then what's to do?

Watch it close.

Let it brew.

Wait.

I've been thinking, flowers--

Maybe daisies--

To brighten up the room.

Don't you think some flowers,

Pretty daisies,

Might relieve the gloom?

Ah, wait, love, wait.

I came on an F1 student visa in 2008 (to study at HB Studio) not sure if this would just be a gap year for a 33 year old in crisis, but quickly knew I wanted to stay and WORK. HB was where I first met Austin Pendleton and took his class. He does not believe that I sat quietly at the back during that first semester. I sat and listened and learned. During my second year of full-time study, I starting pounding the pavement. Knowing nothing! Excited and scared. I went to my first EPA, thanks to encouragement from the wonderful Amanda Quaid.

I first met Judy Bowman (casting director) in May 2012 at The Network. But it is not as simple as meeting once: you have to build a relationship and keep auditioning.

There are so many ways. EPAs, ECCs, appointment auditions, pay to plays, submissions, Stagelighter, and so on. Training, auditions, keeping in touch, working, working, working. It is a long journey with many ups and downs.  There are people who succeed without doing any of it. And there are people who fail while trying to do it all.

I have learned that we are never auditioning for one person or one job. This business seems so big but it's actually very small and people talk. I've been submitting to The Mint and met Jonathan Bank (Artistic Director) a few times and he is a delight. I also went to see plays there and was always impressed by them.  I was in callbacks in the past for The Mint for a role I really wanted. It was tough not to get it, but it was not for me. This is the role that has my name on it.

"A Day by the Sea"

But if I had not built the relationships over the years, I am not sure I would even have been able to get in the room.

I don't think of myself as a patient person. I am genuinely happy for friends' success but, of course, there is an element of jealousy when seeing others succeed.  It has not been easy and no one should think that it is. We have chosen a tough business and there are obstacles everywhere. The immigration obstacle was huge but I am grateful. It made me tougher, stronger and more determined. I have found ways to keep myself motivated and passionate. Having to turn down Equity work in the past and deal with rejection has made this all the sweeter. As my mother often tells me: Whit's fur ye'll no go by ye!

My first Equity Card

with Toni Stanton and John Fasulo at A.E.A.

Slow, love, slow.
Time's so fast.
Now goes quickly--
See, now it's past!
Soon will come.
Soon will last.
Wait.

Don't you know,
Silly man,
Half the fun is to
Plan the plan?
All good things come to 
Those who can
Wait. *

*"Wait" from "Sweeney Todd"
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.


www.pollymckie.com
www.theactorsfriend.com

Into the Woods...a conversation with a friend.

Into the woods,
It's time to go,
I hate to leave,
I have to, though.
Into the woods-
It's time, and so
I must begin my journey.*

Jean Ann Garrish has been part of my journey in New York since I arrived!  I remember auditing classes at HB Studio and hearing her sing in Helen Gallagher's class.  I was blown away and wanted to know her.

Since then, we have taken class together and become friends and colleagues.

The Actor's Friend (A.F.): When do you first get involved in the business?

Jean Ann Garrish (JAG): I got my first professional job in the industry right after I graduated college.

A.F.  What are you working on now?

JAG: I'm currently working with my editor on a comedic mockumentary web series that I wrote, directed and acted in. We'll be releasing the first episode in April on YouTube and Vimeo.

Trailer for "Composing Life":

I'm also getting ready to perform, with my band RED WINE + WHISKEY, at a benefit for the Drama Bookshop at 54 Below; as well as our album release concert at Rockwood Music Hall in May.  

A.F.  What classes have you taken with The Actor's Friend and how do you think they have helped you? 

JAG: I've taken some privates with Polly; and I'm a Super Trouper (a member of her accountability group). I'm also taking her #100daysinthelifeofanactor challenge. 

The way is clear,
The light is good,
I have no fear,
Nor no one should.
The woods are just trees,
The trees are just wood.

Into the woods
And down the dell,
The path is straight,
I know it well.
Into the woods,
And who can tell
What's waiting on the journey? *

A.F. How does being in the accountability group motivate you?

JAG: I hate to say it, but sometimes we're more accountable to other people than we are to ourselves. I know that if someone else is depending on me, I'll do everything in my power to not let them down. That's what accountability does for me. I don't want to go to the meeting and not have my homework done. If I was left to do things on my own, as the ultimate procrastinator, I'd get them done...eventually. Now, I'm right on top of what I want to do, and what I should do for my career.

Into the woods-
You have to grope,
But that's the way
You learn to cope.
Into the woods
To find there's hope
Of getting through the journey.*

A.F.   What are your plans and goals for the future?

JAG:  Ultimately, I'd like a career where I can work on both my own projects, as well as outside ones. I want to create projects and work on things that mean something to me while reaching an audience where those things will  hopefully mean something to them.

*Into the Woods

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

www.pollymckie.com

www.theactorsfriend.com

Someone in a Tree (The Room Where it Happens)

I have many actor friends who have been in the business for years.  They tell some great stories about what it used to be like. There were fewer people out there clambering for the same jobs. One friend with Broadway credits talks with fondness about popping into her agent's office and looking through the breakdowns while they enjoyed a glass of scotch!

I was good at climbing trees 
I was younger then 

I saw everything! 

Where they came and where they went 

I was part of the event.

I was someone in a tree!

I was younger then!*

I'm certainly no spring chicken but I came into the business later in life and that, combined with immigration challenges made it harder for me, which as a result made me more determined to do what I could to get in that room.

If I weren't, who's to say

Things would happen here the way

That they happened here?

I was there then.

I am here still.*

"The Room Where it Happens" from "Hamilton"
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda**

A new year always brings fresh hope, resolutions and commitments to make it a good one. I was lucky enough to return from Scotland to several great cmails and auditions. In fact, 4 days after I got back to New York, I had 3 auditions in one day. Lucky, yes. But also this is not something that happens overnight.

It's the fragment, not the day.

It's the pebble, not the stream.

It's the ripple, not the sea.

Not the building but the beam,

Not the garden but the stone,

Not the treaty house,

Someone in a tree.

I'm a fragment of the day.*

One audition was a Cmail via Actors' Access from a Casting Director for a job neither my manager nor I had even submitted me for. Why? Because she knows and remembers me and my work from several meetings. This takes WORK on your part.(KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU) Consistency and commitment. If you want to OPEN DOORS, you need to knock on them several times.

The other 2 were the result of knowing HOW to submit to get to the top of the list (S.O.S. SMARTER ONLINE SUBMISSIONS) There are certain tips and tricks that are basically common sense! Casting Directors are busy and you can do them a huge favor by saving them time and NOT wasting their time. You can read more about these tips in GETTING IT TOGETHER IS THE WHOLE TRICK.

It's the fragment, not the day.

It's the pebble, not the stream.

It's the ripple, not the sea

That is happening.

Not the building but the beam,

Not the garden but the stone,

Only cups of tea

And history

And someone in a tree.*

*"Someone in a Tree" from "Pacific Overtures"

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

** For regular readers of my blog, you know that I always use Sondheim lyrics. Here I also quote the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda. Sondheim has mentored him through "Hamilton" and "The Room Where it Happens" is also a nod to "Someone in a Tree".

www.pollymckie.com

www.theactorsfriend.com

Our Time

Something is stirring,

Shifting ground ?

It's just begun.

Edges are blurring

All around,

And yesterday is done.*

100 days ago (give or take a few missed days here and there), I wrote a blog (Not a Day Goes By) and started an idea for The Actor's Friend: #100daysinthelifeofanactor. I started it to help motivate my students and, of course, myself.  I have accountability groups with The Actor's Friend and I love our time together. The most important part for me is to practice what I preach.

Day1: This is where it began,
Being what we can.

Oh boy, am I glad I did it! 

Feel the flow,

Hear what's happening:

We're what's happening.

Don't you know?

We're the movers and we're the shapers.

We're the names in tomorrow's papers.

Up to us, man, to show 'em ?*

For regular readers of my blog, you know that I use Sondheim lyrics as my theme. Often, I use just a few lines from a particular song but, in this case, I think I owe it to Sondheim and to us all to include it all! We all have moments of feeling down and the summer was particularly hard for me after returning from a summer stock gig. There were no auditions and it was so hard to stay positive. Instead of feeling sorry for myself I decided to be proactive.

It's our time, breathe it in:

Worlds to change and worlds to win.

Our turn coming through,

Me and you, man,

Me and you!Feel how it quivers,

On the brink ?

What?

Everything!

Gives you the shivers,

Makes you think

There's so much stuff to sing!*

And you and me,

We'll be singing it like the birds,

Me with music and you the words,

Tell 'em things they don't know!

Up to us, pal, to show 'em ?

It's our time, breathe it in:

Worlds to change and worlds to win.

Our turn, we're what's new,

Me and you, pal,

Me and you! *

I LOVE my actor friends. It is a tough business full of jealousy and competition but, with the right attitude, we can be the best support to one another. Maybe the positive American influence is getting to me, but I feel it. I feel so motivated and excited for others too.

Day 77: celebrating the life of one of my favorite teachers,
Anne Meara

Feel the flow,

Hear what's happening:

We're what's happening!

Long ago

All we had was that funny feeling,

Saying someday we'd send 'em reeling,

Now it looks like we can!?

Someday just began ?

It's our heads on the block.

Give us room and start the clock.

Our time coming through,

Me and you, pal,

Me and you!

Me and you!*

Day 98: When Chris Noth told me I should be on Broadway

Something is stirring,

Shifting ground ?

It's just begun.

Edges are blurring

All around,

And yesterday is done.

Feel the flow,

Hear what's happening:

We're what's happening.

Don't you know?

We're the movers and we're the shapers.

We're the names in tomorrow's papers.

Up to us now to show 'em ?

It's our time, breathe it in

Worlds to change and worlds to win.

Our turn coming through,

Me and you, pal,

Me and you!

Years from now,

We'll remember and we'll come back,

Buy the rooftop and hang a plaque:

This is where we began,

Being what we can.

It's our heads on the block,

Give us room and start the clock.

Our dreams coming true, 

Me and you, pal,

Me and you!*

*Our Time from "Merrily We Roll Along"

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

www.pollymckie.com

www.theactorsfriend.com

Not a Day Goes By

From left to right: Bartender in Lolo's music video; Jack's Mother in "Into the Woods";
Gertrude Stein in "Little Wars"; Janis in "Composing Life".

Not a day goes by...

Not a single day...
But you're somewhere a part of my life,
And it looks like you'll stay.

As the days go by.

I keep thinking, when does it end?

Being an actor is not a 9 to 5 job. Thank goodness. 

I have just finished a contract playing Jack's mother in "Into the Woods" in a regional gig in Potsdam. It was exhilarating, motivating and thrilling to be working on such a wonderful show with great actors and I have returned to New York with a touch of the post-Potsdam blues. It is very normal for actors to have a rough period when a show closes. But work breeds work and the motivation to audition is stronger.

with Ryan Hook as Jack

That it can't get much better much longer.
But it only gets better and stronger
And deeper and nearer ---
And simpler and freer
And richer and clearer...*









I was lucky enough to return to auditions, a reading of a new play and my regular hosting gig at Polly's Follies, but that is not always the case. I have many friends who have long runs in Broadway shows and then periods of nothing. This is not a steady profession and, even with agents, managers and brilliant resumes, most actors have periods of "resting". 
This is never resting, though, in the sense of a holiday. Often the resting periods are when we have to work harder than ever. It is so easy to be motivated when you have a script to work on, lyrics to learn and an audience to entertain. Not so easy to stay encouraged with the daily grind of submissions, E.P.A.s or, even worse, the days when there are no auditions and nothing to submit for (summer is a typically difficult time in the industry).

I started to think of ways that will help keep the working momentum going. This is important for me as an actor, but also important for me in my role as The Actor's Friend. I run accountability groups and I try to practise what I preach. Yesterday, I went to an E.P.A. and it felt so great to be proactive. And, there I was, in the bathrooms at Telsey and the idea struck me. Do you remember #100happydays? I am starting #100daysinthelifeofanactor. 

And no,
Not a day goes by ---
Not a blessed day ---
But you somewhere come into my life
And you don't go away.

And I have to say
If you do, I'll die.
I want day after day
After day after day after ---
Day after day after day after day
After day
Till the days go by,
Till the days go by,*

Here is how it will work. Post something every day (if you miss a day, no one will punish you!) that is related to your acting. It could be something as simple as updating your resume, submitting for a role on Actors' Access, taking a class or even taking a trip to the theatre. Post wherever you like that suits you (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) and tag @theactorsfriend with #100daysinthelifeofanactor. Are you ready for the challenge? I am...

Till the days go by...*

Not a Day Goes By from Merrily We Roll Along
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

www.pollymckie.com
www.theactorsfriend.com

So Many People

Polly McKie as Gertrude Stein 
with Penny Lynn White as Alice B Toklas
"McKie and White anchor the play with fairly 
miraculous specificity as the odd (lifelong) 
couple at its center"

I said the man for me must have a castle
A man of means he'd be, a man of fame
And then I met a man who hadn't any
Without a penny to his name.*

I dreamed of the West End or Broadway.  I still do.  But I am so thrilled to have been part of this brilliant new play and I was not paid a cent.  

Yes, I scoff and am frustrated with many of the Actors' Access casting notices (must be over 5' 6" and willing to do nudity...no pay!) I do not encourage anyone in this business to be foolish about what you have to offer. Of course, we deserve to be paid BUT, there are certain projects worth working for. For the project and for yourself as an actor.  

with Dorothy Weems as Dorothy Parker
"Plays like this do not come around often; a well written,
well organized piece for seven strong female actresses."

I had to go and fall
For so much less than
What I had planned from
All the magazines
I should be good and sore
What am I happy for
I guess the man means more than the means.*









Recently, I met a couple of particularly jaded and bitter actors who scoffed my working for low pay.  I started to doubt my choices. Of course, I want a better salary but when I examined their lives versus mine, I started to realize how lucky I am.  I have chosen art over money.  Of course, it is not easy but, quite frankly, if you put your survival bar job above a possible low paid acting gig, you are not helping yourself.  

Of course, we all need to survive, but your survival job HAS to be flexible if you want to be serious about your acting career.

"Special kudos to Polly McKie who seems to embody Gertrude Stein;"

So many people in the world
And what can they do?
They'll never know love
Like my love for you.*

My love is for acting. For the work.  Not for fame. Of course, I am ambitious and want to work with brilliant directors on brilliant plays, but that does not always mean Broadway.   

"...commendable acting with special notice to McKie's
nuances of depth and emotion to Gertrude"

So many people laugh
At what they don't know
But that's their concern
If just a few say
Half a million or so
Could see us
They'd learn*








And the most important thing is that work breeds work.  Word of mouth in this business is more powerful than anything else. I met the brilliant young playwright, Steven Carl McCasland through Polly's Follies (a weekly musical theatre open mic I host at Room 53) and he invited me to audition for "Little Wars". I read the script and loved it. And this play was full of wonderful female roles. Something hard to find! 

As actors in this current climate, we often pay to be seen by casting directors and it is always better to be able to talk about what you are working on. And gives you an opportunity to invite people to see your work.

I am not saying that you should take any old unpaid acting work. Of course, you must have respect for your craft and yourself. But, once in a while, a great project crosses your path and there can often be so many reasons to say YES.

with Samantha Hoefer as Bernadette
"...the raucous Gertrude Stein
expertly played by actress Polly McKie."

So many people in the world
Don't know what they've missed
They'd never believe
Such joy could exist
And if they tell us
Its a thing without growth
They're jealous as they can be
That with so many people
In the world
You love me.*

*So Many People from "Saturday Night"
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

www.pollymckie.com

www.theactorsfriend.com