This week, I’m pleased to share a guest blog from my friend, Bret Shuford. Bret has dedicated his life to creating theatre. Most recently, he played Robbie in Cirque Du Soleil’s Paramour. Other credits include other Broadway shows, national tours, and principal roles in feature films; including Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf Of Wall Street.
As the Broadway Life Coach, Bret helps people find their full potential, get clear about their purpose, and create balance and self-confidence.
How to Get the Best Reputation on Broadway
by Bret Shuford
Admit it, we’d all like to be known.
But is any press really good press? “As long as they print my name correctly,” right? WRONG!
A good reputation as a hard worker and kind human being will take you much farther in this industry than any diva headlines. It makes perfect sense that producers and directors want to work with people who are equally talented, dependable and don’t make you dread coming to work.
It seems like a no-brainer, and yet many of my clients struggle with how to build a reputation in this business without caring what anyone else thinks. When you face a lot of critique, it can be a struggle to not let it affect you and your work.
As an actor and coach, I understand. When I first started performing I used to care more about what others thought of me than myself. (Hey! Maybe that’s why I became an actor, for the instant validation.) However, over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about how to build a solid reputation this industry, full of up and downs, and still become a happy person.
Here are my 4 tips to help you develop the best reputation on Broadway.
1. Be Impeccable with your Word
When you commit to something, follow through. Even when obstacles or good excuses to quit appear in the way, you follow through anyway and without complaint. Being a dependable person makes you a much easier choice for casting.
2. Go Above and Beyond
Show up memorized, prepared, and with choices. If you put as much effort into your work as the producer is money, you will leave a lasting impression. The way you do anything is the way you do everything, so do it thoroughly.
3. Be A Light
Being a light in the room doesn’t mean you have to be liked by everyone. There’s a difference between being nice and being liked. Stay away from low level connection (like bonding over complaining or gossip), and focus on the work and being of service to the production and its team. A little bit of positivity in the room can go a long way, and people will remember it.
4. Stay In Touch
Staying in touch with people you meet and get to know is important in this industry. When you’re constantly meeting new people on new projects, it’s easy to develop an “out of sight, out of mind” mindset, so you want to make sure you continue the connection and support the work of your fellow artists.
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Now that you have my tips to get the best reputation on Broadway without needing validation from anyone else, what are your tips? Let me know in the comments below, and give Bret a shout in his Broadway Life Coach Facebook Group here.