"You'll Never Walk Alone" with a Support System

Whether it be from family, friends, loved ones, or community, it is absolutely crucial to have support behind you as you step into the professional acting world. You'll want someone to be there for you to pick apart every second of your latest callback, to ask advice on last-minute cutting adjustments while in the holding room, to celebrate with you when you finally land a role you worked really hard for, and -- most importantly -- to cheer you on when you need reminding of how great you are. It can be one someone, it can be many someones, or you could have a different someone for each of the above examples! It's no secret that breaking into the industry takes time, energy, and persistence, and there will be many occasions during which those individuals will be your lifeboat in a sea of uncertainty.

Let's talk a little bit about the differences between your village and your support system. Your village is your cheerleading squad: the people who are rooting for you, praying for you, and waiting to hear about every new opportunity you're a part of. Your support system, on the other hand, is there in both the good and the bad. They are the unconditional ones that will know all the ins and outs of your journey from first audition and first rejection to first booking and first flop. Choose your support system carefully as, even though you have to be your own champion, you will need them to bolster you when you can't bolster yourself and to help you back to your feet when you're knocked down.

I am feeling exceedingly blessed this week to have more of my support (my mother, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew) physically present for me as they've come from AZ for a summer visit. My family is my rock, so having my amazing husband as well as so much of my family all in one place fills my soul. For me, my immediate family and my husband make up my support system, and I couldn't find a better one if I tried. My mom and my sister get on a three-way call with me after every audition I want to debrief: my mom (or The Momager™️, as we consider her) wants absolutely every detail recounted so that she can imagine herself in the room with me then tell me how she thinks it went, and my sister shines as bright as the sun with her unending optimism. My husband is ever the grounded one that helps me with both the before and the after, encouraging me to approach every audition with a level head and as much preparation as possible, then discussing it from every angle before telling me how proud he is of me. Each of them have their unique skills and personalities they bring to the system, and all of them are entirely necessary to keep me afloat.

That said, I know that my support system might be considered traditional or rare (trust me, I know I'm lucky). So if your support system isn't quite so built-in like mine, look to your found family: your friends, your tribe, or even your fellow actors. It's a long journey ahead with every kind of high and low, so look for those that will be there for all versions of you.

Now, this is a bit of a shorter post this week -- so I hope you'll forgive me -- but I have been enjoying some much-needed face time with my people. Take time with your people this week, too! We could always use it.

Thanks for reading, #DreamTeamHLJ, and even if it feels like no one else is, I'm rooting for you 💚