Exploring Creativity - So You Want To Be An Actor - Part 2 - Summary

Host Rich Pfeifer welcomes actors Julie Fitzpatrick and Suzanne McCormick (both from Guilford, Connecticut) for part two of “So You Want to Be an Actor,” focusing on working-life realities. Julie recalls earning her Equity card at American Conservatory Theater in 2000 performing in A Christmas Carol, while Suzanne describes her first professional role in Macbeth at the University of New Haven and how her late sister’s encouragement led her to leave an office manager job and pursue acting full-time. They discuss how COVID shifted auditions toward Zoom and self-tapes, where to find roles (Casting Networks, Actors Access, Backstage, IMDb, Boston Casting, Facebook, local theaters), and the value of networking authentically by following artists and venues. They emphasize quick, prepared submissions, ongoing classes, creative self-tape techniques, handling varied audition formats, communicating with directors, and coping with rejection by processing emotions and staying active. A lightning round covers preferences, resources, and advice.