Actor Problems

Today's interview is with working actor, Jose Tony Garcia (who likes to go by Tony). He is an American actor working in theatre, television, and film. Born in New Haven, CT, he studied Theatre and got his BFA from the University of Connecticut and his MFA from Indiana University. He also works as an extras casting assistant with 4 Star Casting, and has a workshop, "The Practical Actor," which he d...

In part two of this series, we're talking #dayjobproblems - how having high standards can actually land you a better day job. I'll share my experience of 9 years of day jobs in Chicago, some of my rock bottoms, and how to know when it's time to get out. We'll also discuss what to do to make sure you  don't  land in a similar rough job in the future.    Next actor self care workshop:   #ActorProble...

Actors get to have high standards too. In this first part of a two part series, I'll share how having high standards helped me out with a  big  thing in my personal life - which in turn, helps out my acting career. Stay tuned for part two next week!    Upcoming actor self care workshops:   #ActorProblems: Why You're Stressed AF (And What To Do About It)  Date: Thursday, September 19th @ 7:30pm  Lo...

Have you ever been super frustrated that you're not getting the acting results you want?  This week I'm coming to you live....from my day job. And you'll hear some specific examples of why we as actors might not be seeing those wins that we desperately want.    NOTE: Please pardon the audio quality this week...#dayjobproblems   Upcoming actor self care workshops: #ActorProblems: Why You're Stresse...

Get good headshots. Always be in class. Make sure to network. Don't mess up your audition..... There's a lot of talk in the acting industry on what you can and can't do. And if you're a human being with emotions and feelings....you might find yourself trying to do everything "perfectly." Is there actually a time and place to be perfect? Let's talk about it!    Upcoming actor self care workshops:  ...

Today's podcast is an interview with Clare Cooney.   She's an actor, filmmaker, casting director and editor. Clare directed, wrote, & stars in RUNNER, a short film that played at 15 film festivals, winning 6 awards, and she is a "Filmmaker to Watch" nominee from the Academy-Qualifying Atlanta Film Fest. She has appeared in numerous film and television projects, including the feature film WIDOWS, d...

Actors are emotional creatures. It makes the good times reeeeeally good....and the bad? Need I explain? In this episode, I'll share why I believe all actors need therapy - plus one reason you *might* be okay without it. Stick around til the end and you'll hear a gem that my own therapist shared with me - super relevant for actors.   Want to start winning your day? (FREE GIFT)  Acting is stressful...

Frustrated with rejection? Sick of seeing your peers book more work than you? This episode is for you.  Want to start winning your day? (FREE GIFT)  Acting is stressful enough. It's time to stack the odds in your favor Head on over to www.tonyrossicoaching.com and sign up for the self care email newsletter. When you do, you'll get an email back with a link to listen to a free audio, How to Win the...

Ever gotten so upset from an audition rejection you just felt broken and defeated??  That's how I felt after this one particular audition that happened several years ago. This week, I'll share what happened, why it was such a big deal that I book it, and something to consider the next time you *don't* book a gig. PS - Want to come to a free workshop on handling rejection? Come to Next Door Chicago...

Actors. We have a problem.  This journey is hard AF - and we  might  be making it harder on ourselves... Episode #70 now available.    Want to start winning your day? (FREE GIFT)  Acting is stressful enough. It's time to stack the odds in your favor Head on over to www.tonyrossicoaching.com and sign up for the self care email newsletter. When you do, you'll get an email back with a link to listen...

This podcast is a replay from episode number 34. We'll be back with new episodes shortly!  -Tony    Ross Grant is #notperfect. He'll always admit that part. But what he's especially vulnerable is how he spent his early 20s - drinking, going into work hungover, and hoping one day he'd just "make it" as an actor…. Fast forward to today: The guy runs an online acting community called Act on This TV w...

It took eight years. It was a super unconventional route.  Whether you're an actor looking for an agent, or are having trouble with the copious amounts of rejection - this episode is for you.  Want to start winning your day? (FREE GIFT)  Acting is stressful enough. It's time to stack the odds in your favor Head on over to www.tonyrossicoaching.com and sign up for the self care email newsletter. Wh...

HAPPY FOURTH! Are you seeing a plethora of social media posts talk about how unhappy people are with our country?? I'm breaking my rule - I'm sharing some thoughts about politics this week. I'm also sharing how this acting technique - that we've  all  heard about - can help us stop being so stressed AF as humans....and maybe help us be better artists too. It's all on episode #68 of the Tony Rossi...

"Don't give us a reason to say no." - Sarah Clark, Chicago casting director.  Sarah  has worked in the industry for nine years. Casting is her bread and butter, but she's also an Emmy Nominated producer and professional screenwriter. She's been lucky to work on films like AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY, TO THE WONDER, RUDDERLESS, and many many more. Sarah has seen thousands of actors for hundreds of commerci...

Hey acting friends :) Think about that one area of your career that you've been putting off improving in. You know the one. (If you're like me, you have more than one…#notperfect). Now stop. How are you feeling? If the answer is "I FEEL SO GUILTY RIGHT NOW, WTF??"....then you're my people. I was texting with a friend recently and I realized that we both were feeling guilty about neglecting a parti...

Have you ever cried for no reason at all? I did. This past week. ...until I realized, "OH. That's why…" Actors are emotional. We don't always know we're in a bad mood until we're hit with (what feels like) a wave of negative energy. And suddenly, we're like, "Where the hell did this come from?!" This is why it's so important to a) stay in tune with our feelings, and b) learn to recognize where tho...

Question: How are we as actors supposed to be sane and positive when facing rejection all the time?  Second question: How are we supposed to do the same when we're getting rejected from even auditioning? Or rejected from getting an agent to get those auditions? HOW?!  First off - please stop shouting. Second - I got you. This week I share a very personal story of when I got rejected  twice  during...

If you've read the first article I've ever written for Backstage.com you know that I once embarrassed myself at a charity event: I didn't think I fit in. I told one of the volunteers who asked "So, who do you do?" that I was in the restaurant industry. Because I didn't even think that I could call myself an actor if I wasn't earning  a full time living as one. Today's episode is for any actor who...

If you're an actor with a day job, I'm guessing you're a hard worker. I'm also guessing that sometimes - juuuuuust sometimes - you need a good kick in the rear to work on your acting goals….you know, the ones you keep putting off. (Yes. That one.) Meet Sain-R Edwards, Jr. A member of the US Coast Guard, father of four, who somehow balances a work life/family life - despite living in a different ti...

Have you ever thought this "acting thing" is unfair? The way this industry works can be really unfair - but does that mean we have to be miserable because of it? This week's episode gives a different perspective of how to view this "unfair game of acting." #notperfect #stillenough    This podcast was based off my latest article for Backstage.com. Full article can be read HERE     Wanna chat with m...

It's okay. You're allowed AND encouraged to take breaks from the "acting thing."   Just like what our special guest is doing. Like, right now. Aneisa is from Asbury Park NJ who's been slowly making her way west since. She started out with a 20 year plan of going into the armed forces, getting a degree in psychology and, helping troops with ptsd but, ended up on stages telling stories instead; hope...

Why you can relax about your next audition… Why it's okay that you didn't book your *last* audition…. What to remember when you JUST CAN'T How to get to know those important decision makers - without being salesy or annoying ;) This week, we're talking to Spenser Davis, Director of Programming for Broken Nose Theatre. He'll share a bunch of "sigh of relief" gems for actors, plus some of his own ch...

Why should you see a life coach instead of a therapist? Why should you work on your insecurities about yourself before transitioning to a new job? What should you know about some of those actors recurring on TV - that you might not know about them already? ….we're talking ALL of this with Courtney Rioux on episode #58 of the Tony Rossi Show. Courtney Rioux is an actor, author, and coach based in C...

Us actors are SO darn excited sometimes… We get out of college. We move to a big city. We start auditioning left and right. We are SO EXCITED BECAUSE #ACTING! ... and then we get tired. We burn out. We constantly tell our friends that we can't see their show because, "Sorry!.....but #brokeactorproblems." Most actors don't resonate with the word "patience" - which is what makes Kelly Piliouras stan...

Leigh Foster is a working Chicago actor. He's been a guest star on Chicago Med. He's recurred on Chicago Fire. You've seen him on Empire, commercials, and print ads. And as of early 2015 - he had never been on a TV show. Having no acting degree, Leigh took it upon himself to "pursue acting excellence." He's also shared with us many parts of his journey on his popular podcast,  Action: The Pursuit...