A common thing that actors are told by LA agents and casting directors is to "do theatre." It keeps you busy acting and, unlike a class, it shouldn’t cost you anything.

You’re also led to believe that casting directors and other industry decision-makers frequently attend theatre to find new talent. These days that's not really the case. Most working CDs and producers are too busy working 14-hour days to fit in much theatre.

The real challenge I’ve found regarding theatre is the time commitment it takes. You're committed to attending the rehearsals, memorizing the lines & blocking and then, to the performance dates. I love doing theatre but I have to essentially drop most of my other activities like classes and showcases when I’m in a play. In the final few weeks leading up to the performances of How I Learned to Drive, I found myself pulling back on my casting submissions because of a simple lack of time, energy and availability.

Looking at a play’s rehearsal/performance calendar going in, I never think it’s going to affect my schedule very much but somehow it always does.

Though we’re going into the holiday season (which is notoriously slow in the industry), I'm really looking forward to getting back into the swing of submissions, auditions and writing on a regular basis.

It's the same in NY... you do the show to benefit your paying career... but many times it somehow gets in the way. I'm struggling with that right now, actually. It all works out if the work is satisfying, but if the play isn't what you hoped it would be, it can be a bit draining.