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FIRST YEAR MEISNER ACTING PROGRAM
Begins January 7th, 2025
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Why Do You Want To Be An Actor?
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Charlie Sandlan is the Executive Director, Head of Acting at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. In this video, Charlie discusses the most important question that he asks students during their admission interview.
Why Dp You Want To Be An Actor – Charlie Sandlan – Maggie Flanigan Studio
Why Do You Want To Be An Actor?
Before I decide whether or not I am interested in teaching someone, the first question I ask is, “Why do you want to be an actor”. I don’t think this is a question that most people really confront when they talk about their dream of pursuing an acting career. Our pop-culture is quite superficial, and to paraphrase Emerson, democracy descends to the lowest common denominator. We live in a society where fashion, money, and fame dominate. Our politics and social media traffic in lies and twisted untruths. It’s very challenging for an aspiring artist to weed through the superficiality in order to illuminate the truth of the human condition. Professional acting is an incredibly hard business. 70% of all SAG/AFTRA and Equity actors earn less than $16,000 a year, actually obtain health insurance, or contribute to a retirement plan. Most actors need other jobs to survive, often throughout their entire careers. There is no guarantee of work, no promise of security and stability. It is an incredibly competitive, and money driven business, where artistic integrity must be forged like steel with a deep fire of grit and resilience. It demands sacrifice, the missing of weddings, birthdays, funerals, and vacations in order to pursue your craft. The majority of actors who move to NYC or LA have no clue about acting as an art form, they invest cheaply into their business with little or no training, bounce around for 3-5 years and then quit and do something else with their life. The odds are stacked against you. So why do you want to act?
I believe the answer must begin with shaping the vision of the actor you want to be. This requires insight into what makes acting so beautiful, and why we revere the best among us. If your answer is “I want to be on TV, I want to be a movie star, and I want to be famous”, you should stop now and pursue something else with your life. I believe the answer must lie in your understanding that acting is an art form, in your deep wish to be a true artist, with a fascination for human behavior, and courage to bare your vulnerability, empathy and humanity to an audience so they can live vicariously through you. A need to challenge us to think more deeply about how we relate to each other, to hold a mirror up to us to reflect back what makes us human. If your answer is “I love the human condition, I want to step into as many different shoes as I can, I want to illuminate humanity. I want to master the art of acting, and I’m willing to bust my a** to do it”, then you might have a chance.
If you want to be an actor, then ask yourself, what’s my contribution? If you have a voice, a desire to add something of value to this beautiful art form, if you believe you have talent, then do right by it. Train yourself. Dedicate yourself to an artistic life. Yes it is hard and challenging, but the rewards are immense and truly satisfying.
So make sure this question is pondered with the respect with which it is asked. Search yourself for the truth, not what sounds cool.
Professional Actor Training Programs – Maggie Flanigan Studio
Learn More About the Acting Programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio
The acting programs at the Maggie Flanigan studio are for actors who are interested and committed to creating the foundation that they need to have long professional acting careers. Students who are serious about professional actor training should visit the acting programs and acting classes page to learn about the programs and to apply for admission (https://www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/). Students who have questions about the actor training and programs at the studio can call during studio hours at (917) 794-3878.
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
“Maggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.”
“Maggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.”
“Maggie Flanigan is uncompromising, her instincts as a teacher are razor sharp. She doesn’t miss a beat”
“Maggie Flanigan has been one of the most important people in my artistic life. I want to work with Maggie trained actors. As an actor myself, she is my first source. I do not say this lightly, if you are serious about acting, and willing to work very hard, then go to Maggie.”
“Maggie helped me find my sense of truth, an actors greatest asset. Maggie is an expert at instilling that vital ingredient, which allows an actor’s potential to become limitless. My work will forever be rooted in the clarity and honesty she helped me develop.”
“After working for ten years, I did the 2 year program, and now feel that I have the tools I need to become the actor I’ve always dreamed of being. Maggie Flanigan instilled in me a clear sense of truth and a standard of perfection. I am a better actor because of this studio.”
“As an actor, the core of what you have to rely on is your sense of truth and humanity. Maggie allowed me to discover and embrace mine. Trusting my sense of humanity and truth has given me the ability to take risks in my work and my career decisions.”
“Maggie Flanigan has the unique ability to get an actor to the essence of what is true in a moment. She creates a safe and caring environment in which to work.”
“Maggie Flanigan introduced me to my own spirit and my own sense of Truth. Her passion for teaching and ability to communicate are rare gifts to any actor looking for a technique to set his or her talent free. Maggie’s voice has been the one constant guide in my career.”
