This is a shameless plug but it's also a thank you to Roz and Darbi. Please feel free to delete it if you don't think it's appropriate.

I had taken a long break from acting (almost twenty years) and a little over a year ago, I decided that if I was ever going to make a go of it, it had to be now. One of the first things I came across was the Everything Acting Podcast of which I immediately became an avid listener. As I began to get resettled in and struggled to identify where my new niche in the business and what my new type might be, I found solace and great advice in this show. You even answered some of my questions on the podcast!

One thing that resonated strongly with me was Roz's constant reminders not to wait for opportunity to knock but to make your own opportunities. I'm that kind of guy anyway, but needed to hear it. I followed your excellent advice, found some great classes, and just got out there. When the knocking didn't come fast enough, I did some of my own. I started a theatre company, now with over sixty members, and our first festival goes up next week for a two week run. It includes an adaptation combining a parody of popular crime shows with 'Romeo and Juliet' that I directed (and now appear in), an evening of four new one act plays that are making their NYC debuts, staged readings of other plays that we've helped develop in our new works program, something we call Microwave Shakespeare that I won't try to explain now (unless someone asks), and cabaret shows to showcase some of our awesome musical theatre talents. Our goal was to highlight our mission (to break down some of the walls created by type) and programs which include developing new works, providing theatre education programs for schools and teachers, and a youth company for kids in their dead years; mainly, it's to give a lot of very talented actors a place to (as you guys say) stretch your acting muscles while we wait for fickle Opportunity. Next month we tackle Taming of the Shrew and its companion play, The Tamer Tamed. Did I mention we're not waiting any more?

Roz and Darbi, your show was instrumental in defining this mindset. I just wanted to thank you (ok, and get that shameless self promotion in) for driving the idea into my thick head that we have to make our own work sometimes. You have certainly informed, inspired, and demistified this actor's journey.

I just want to say real quick, that that's incredible and extremely motivating to read about. Keep it up!

That's AWESOME! Thank YOU for sharing your experience! You're a perfect example for others to learn from. Woo hoo!

Joe!!

I am SO happy and proud to hear this fantastic news. Congratulations!! I love seeing your sig file change from something about a water cooler and needing more auditions to a rehearsal status.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and keep up the good work!! We love you.

Congratulations! That is really nice to hear that you and your theatre company are doing so well! I have actually submitted to several of the projects that you are talking about, and I didnt even realize that it was your theatre company until now!

Keep up the great work. Definitely an inspiring tale for us all to hear!

Joe!!

That is way too cool. Now I can die happy. I really do feel satisfied to see you share your gifts with the world. Now your energy is moving and I know there will be rewards way beyond your imagination.

I am very proud to be a small part of your journey. I hope it surprises you and feeds your artistic appetite.

KEEP US UPDATED.

YAY!!!