Let’s Talk About Weird Years…as an Actor

Written By Chivonne Michelle

Hello Artistes,

Let’s talk about weird years. Yeah 2024 I am talking about you! We started out this year full of hope & excitement & open availability. I feel like every member of The SAS was like I am ready to work now universe! And the year started out…slow. But auditions were coming in and we kept showing up in class ready to train and be in community no matter what. But now, here we are, halfway thru the year and it’s just been weird af ya’ll. It’s wild because we’ve had major client wins, fantastic callbacks and director sessions, co star and guest star bookings on the three tv shows that actually filmed this year - I joke - there’s been more than three - but whew - it hasn’t felt like it no? The SAS actors have worked on short films, released an album and some of us even got married, twice. IYKYK. 

And we’ve also had some heartbreaking conversations about the financial difficulties of being an actor in 2024. The rent/mortgages are too damn high, vacations feel like a thing of the past and art for art's sake is GLORIOUS but doesn’t pay one damn bill. We have had many conversations about what do we do next?

And…my solutions as an actor and teacher are as follows…

  1. Call it a weird year - you’re not alone -we’re all thinking it.

  2. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s literally all you can do. 

  3. Double down on meditating before auditions - allow yourself the pleasure of doing what you love & then let that shit go! Be Elsa in Frozen.

  4. TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH BREAK. Whether its one day of no industry talk or a summer off of auditioning - do what you need to do to bring back the equilibrium of light & dark in your brain. 

  5. Pay down that credit card debt & try to spend cash this year & not put it on credit. You may have to let go of some really amazing things - shout out to my masseuse Corrine & her magic massages - but they will come back in the feast times! 

  6. Give yourself grace. You are talented. You are committed. You are wonderful. 

The good news is - you are not losing it - it’s been a hard and weird year. And The SAS is here for you! Share with us your wins & losses & moments of peace! Tag us on IG or TikTok - Or email us. We are here and we are so proud of the work you have yet to do!

Sustainably and Artistically yours,

Chivonne Michelle

Founder & Teacher

Chivonne Michelle
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