should-i-move-to-la

Should I Move to LA?

I know, I know, you're like, "What? Aren't you already in LA? Yeah, I am. I went to the beach today! Sure, I was wearing a sweatshirt AND a jacket, but still. I was at the beach!

Hi Lira
My name is Jessica, I'm 22, and I'm from a little big town in Kentucky. I'm interested in pursuing acting, however I feel like I'm not going to get anywhere. I have no experience other than a couple of features (which you have said doesn't count) and I live no where near a big city to do any acting! 

I have recently considered saving up money and moving to LA. I'm not sure how well that will work though because I'm doing good to live paycheck to paycheck, and my boyfriend isn't too fond of the idea either. He and I have been together for over 2 years, so it's not like I can just choose one or the other. He is more interested in living in the countryside instead of the busy city. He's also not too keen on me being an actress anyway because he is afraid he will never see me and I will be traveling a whole bunch. I love him but I'm afraid if I just give up on this dream, I'll end up at some desk job I hate just making money to get by. 

 

I have always felt like I was made for greater things. This is obviously no exception. I want this to the point it's all I can think about lately.

Is there any way I could try to get some roles closer that could get me my big break? Should I think about moving to LA? Should I just give up this too-big dream? I have always dreamed so big, and I know one downside of that is disappointment when they don't come true. I feel really lost when it comes to all of this. I think part of what's standing in my way is fear. I'm afraid to step out of my comfort zone and take off work for a few days and travel somewhere like Chicago or Atlanta to work. I feel in that way I will be losing money, considering the transportation and stay. I really just need a little point in the right direction, some answers to ease my mind. I'm sorry if I've rambled. I just really had a lot on my mind recently and I needed to get it all out.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and (hopefully!) respond to me.

-Jessica

Hi Jessica! Thanks for reading this here blog. Although I've answered several of these questions already, I like your letter because it touches upon a few things I would like to address. 

 

A LOT of communities do theatre. A TON of them. If not your city, then the neighboring town. Trust me on this. Google that shizz. AND THAT GOES FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE! I didn't get my first gig in LA - oh heck no. I did my first play in my hometown when I was 12 and did the drama club in junior high, and was in all my high school shows. If I had stayed in my hometown, I would still be acting! There's the local community college that puts on shows, there's regional theatre - you'd be surprised. There are always opportunities if you look for them. And if you swear there's not, You Make Them. 

I'm going to assume that your boyfriend has your best interests at heart even though he sounds selfish because he thinks he'll miss you from all the traveling you might be doing. There's facetime and skype. He could deal. And if he can't, and you know you'd be happier in place that doesn't serve his needs, maybe you both need to have a serious sit down and talk about your life goals. Because if they don't match up, better to know that now. Or maybe he doesn't know how serious you are about this. A sit down is a very good idea.

And then there's this: "I have always felt like I was made for greater things."

 Ugh, Jessica. Me effing too. And unfortunately, everyone feels that way.

I majored in pretend, and god bless all my school mates, but gosh darn it I knew, I knew, that this whole acting thing would work out for me. It was in the cards. It was in the stars! I was freaking named after a constellation!! Come on! I just knew it was going to work out for me and I would be working, rich, and super duper happy.

Am I? No. And I am going to say not yet, but I am fully aware that I could never make a career out of this. Auditions are slow and few and far between. I got sent out for things that were such a mismatch I wasn't surprised one iota when I got an email from my theatrical agency saying they were folding. 

What was I saying? Oh yeah. We ALL feel like we were made for greater things. It's something of our generation. But I'll get to this again later. You'll like it.

You say you're in Kentucky and want to know if there are roles out there for you. Have you heard of Louisville? HUGE regional theatre. 

I think you're so scared and filled with fear because you know you don't have the necessary training and resume to make it in LA. That is A-OK because you have everything you need Right In Your Own State. Stay close to your friends and family. Go to Louisville and ask if you can get a tour of the company because you're interested in auditioning for them. Auditions aren't for a few months? Ask how you can get a job or intern there. Get to know everyone there so they know you're serious. Network. Pick everyone's brain. Learn, learn, learn.

Is Louisville also still out of your comfort zone? Well, you can stay where you are and if there are no opportunities there, why don't you create your own theatre company yourself? Maybe you and a few friends put up an original show (I did that just last year!), or maybe you wrangle a whole bunch of kids and do a show! The possibilities are freaking endless.

You say you feel like you're meant for great things. And I do believe you are. I don't, however, believe that you were meant to do them in LA. 

So! Go forth! Explore what your community has to offer, check out other parts of the state, and if none of that satisfies you, create opportunities for yourself where you are satisfied.

In the meantime, check out some dance classes. That will make you feel creative and you get to act - set to music.

Good luck, Jessica, and if you don't have that, make it good yourself!

xoxo

Lira