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One other con I've heard from a professional on-screen actor who I have a lot of respect for - this person finds a live audience terrifying, not exhilarating. The rush of the stage inspires flight feelings. And this person has tried it in their professional career so it's not a supposition. I personally love live performance, and agree with your points. Just a note for those who may be wired differently.

Thank you. Great video!

Theatre is my first true love and the foundation of my training, and though I’ve been more focused on Film/TV gigs the last 4-5 yrs, I still try to do at least 1 full-length play/year and as many live showcases, improv jams, live radio theatre, etc. as I can for ALL of the PROs you mentioned! And yes there have been times that I had to decline an audition due to date conflicts, but I just choose to trust that what’s meant for me will be mine no matter what! Yes, yes, yes, do theatre people! 🤩

Auditions were slow, so I auditioned for a musical comedy that only ran for 2 nights. First time doing theater in years. The whole experience was awesome. The difference between opening night jitters to all of us feeling much more loose on night 2 was palpable. Before I went on stage, I heard the audience applause and laughter, and was hit with an unexpected WAVE of emotions. Yes, audience reaction is a drug. Rehearsals were fun. Bonding with cast and crew was great. Another benefit? Getting referred to casting for a commercial. Would absolutely do it again.

Love this - and love theatre. Have always done it - that's how I started out!

Alliance theatre & actors express is a great place to see live theatre in Atlanta!

Potential scheduling issues of doing theatre is a handy excuse. For every "star" I can name that has their roots in theatre, others can name one that has never trod a board. From my experience, those who want to become full-time professional actors in film and TV but have no interest in performing in or even attending theatre, aren't really in it for the acting. They are in it for the so-called glamour or bragging rights. They tend to have a winners and losers attitude. There are always exceptions but, I have found that many of our favorite actors and many of our most laudable actors mostly came from a plan to spend their life in the theatre and merely stumbled into becoming famous. Again, there are exceptions of course but, if you do a deep dive of younger actors especially those who hit it big early on with no foundation in theatre, they usually fade away. The shiny thing that made them what they were (looks or personality) in the beginning goes away and then they are left floundering around trying reclaim their faded glory. Most weren't in it for the love of acting. There's a wonderful limited series on Prime called "This Little Show of Mine" that gives a good hard and hilariously sad look at this phenomenon. Created by Ellyn Daniels, it shows what can happen when sudden" fame and fortune" built on no foundation is suddenly taken away. Check it out.

from my personal experience. i feel like doing theatre has made me into a better actor and some of the best actors in the world actually have a theatre background.

Might be different in stateside but, community theatre (called amateur drama here in the UK) often runs a pay to play model where the cast has to pay a fee to act in the play. I don't think it makes sense, as a professional, to fork out money to work alongside people who are acting just as a hobby with no tangible career benefits.

I miss theatre sooooooo much! It’s how I originally got an agent. It’s what changed my look to a shaved head. It’s a shame that there aren’t more paying theatres in the Atlanta area. I miss that adrenaline rush and the audience response, but at my age and level of financial responsibilities, I would be missing having a roof over my head even more. ATLANTA NEEDS MORE PAYING THEATRES!!! 😭

Theatre (correct spelling, dangit! 🤣) is truly the actor's medium. I did it non-stop from '99 til around 2005 or '06. I'm an alumni of the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. Worked with some amazing people and a few you'd recognize from TV and film. I miss it... a lot. But, yeah, the rehearsal time is what keeps me from it now. But, I personally think it's a must, especially for the new/green actor. I noticed a shift when UA-cam started. I worked at a few theatre's in NOHO, when I was in LA, and it was a great way for casting to see you while building your craft. (Used to be tons of theatre's on Santa Monica Blvd, as well). But then, actors started producing comedy sketches or shorts, and would then send it on blast. Yes, that's now the day and age we live in and a pretty common practice, but man I miss those days. I rarely read for comedic roles anymore, but it was my bread and butter in the '00's. Congrats on returning to the stage, Matt! Also: comparing it to summer camp? Perfect!

It’s a must for me. It’s one of the things I wonder about with some incredible screen actors - they’re never done stage and I doubt ever will - and I do think it’s an odd thing tbh. It’s a missing piece of a full spectrum. Robert Pattinson is one of those actors who I think of for example but they are legion.

Always do it

I always say comparing on-camera acting with stage acting is like comparing sprinting to long distance running. Yes, in both instances you are technically "running", but each requires its own unique training and specific skill set. Same goes for acting. I got my BFA from a renowned theatre school that prepared us incredibly well for Shakespeare, Williams, Chekhov and even obscure genres like restoration and Brecht. But we had VERY little on-camera training. So when I came out of school, I had a HUGE learning curve when it came to auditioning for film/TV. I didn't book anything for years. I finally kinda got the hang of it by taking film classes and learning in the field, but the differences are big enough that for a long time I felt like an all-star in one medium and an absolute rookie in the other. One of the most beneficial quotes I've heard in regards to marrying the two is suggesting that you "play to your lens, regardless of whether that is a 500 seat auditorium, or an iPhone on a tripod 6 feet from your face." That is incredibly sage advice from a certain content creator. Another great video, Matt! Bravo. (....also curious what play you did!)

More theater cons: Bigger theaters prefer equity actors, especially for bigger roles, and smaller theaters have lower budgets of course and are likely less professional. And it doesn’t make sense to join equity unless you live in a big theater town or are willing to travel to others to do repertory theater. If you can’t sing or dance, it seems like at least half of repertory theater is musical theater. Having said that, if you can do theater, do it. It’s the purer form of acting, takes the most skill, and is ultimately more fulfilling,. And then book a commercial or something to pay for it. Ha!

I'm just about to watch the video, but before I even do, I full-hearted yes! Most of the well-known actors with longevity started in theater and still do it from time to time. It's where I learned to act, more than any class I've taken.

Bananas 😂

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH 🎈 I WAS CAST JUST YESTERDAY AND THIS VIDEO ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS 🎉🎉🎉

But I could totally be sky blue... lol

Yeah, vocal fry is why Morgan Freeman's career never took off - people can't stand the sound of his voice. James Earl Jones, too.

So much of this is something that can also be learned in theatre productions. You get to spend a couple of weeks rehearsing with script in hand and you get used to finding natural ways to reference your script. AND it definitely helps memorization skills. If you don't have anyone teaching you cold reading go take part in a theatre production.

I love how you introduced your wife 😂❤❤❤

Reading on WeAudition for the past few years has improved my cold reading skills dramatically. Part of the technique I still struggle with though, is grabbing the lines off the page fast. That's a skill in itself.

LOVE the “Triangle Technique!” Thanks, Matt.

12 years ago on my second tv audition ever I went in for Criminal Minds for two lines and kinda blew it. I wasn't used to 6 people staring at me. They asked me to stay and read for the lawyer. A six page guest star. I studied the sides for 15 minutes in the other room, came back in a crushed it. They were flabbergasted. "You just got that 15 minutes ago. That was an incredible cold read". My teacher teaches cold reading techniques and I put them to use. I went from Nervous to Excited and was nearly off book. They called an hour later and told me I "hit it out of the park" and hired me. First TV role, 4 scene Guest Star.

Getting new lines on set happens quite often. Always gotta be ready. Great advice!! Thanks so much!

Yep! I’ve had the cold read for a different character while at a callback. Funny thing is that I actually got the part of the character that I read cold for.

Supercool you shout out WeAudition!

ha ha - love it!!

Matt, You've inspired me to dust off my Ukulele and start playing again. Mahalo🤙

I think getting rid of the noise can be one of the hardest things to do. It takes practice and discipline to give ourselves that time to warm up and then stay there, which can be incredibly difficult while on set with all the waiting and constant, literal noise. And regarding preparation, I've some to realize that it's different for every role, at least for me. Some roles and auditions seem to fit like an old pair of jeans. In these cases, my prep is there, but minimal...I just need to trust myself and let myself sit in it. Others require more prep, and often in different ways. Lastly, I'm always supportive of people who are interested in getting into acting, but if I hear one more person with no experience asking me how to get an agent, I'm going to lose my mind!

“Am I the Prettiest Sho Nuff” 😂

Matty McCoo!! Incoming, brother....and they launch like 2 pop flies (or maybe lazy spiraling footballs) from my tube socked stocking feet (100% white baseball stockings, as my dad used to call 'em 🤣lol;) to your awesome piano man recital hands🤪. There is so much great stuff here to digest, Matty-truly. The balance of working my ass off to "live up to my talent", then being able to "trust and let go". When it happens (and it has, many times) it's like "Thank you Jesus", and when it doesn't I become a medieval man whipping my back and crying out for a woman to save my sorry ass, you know? As a man of 50 (ahem. I still feel 15 and carry myself thusly, obviously) I can now look at it all with a bit more "F it!" and move on. Sometimes. And I keep my former JV baseball jock tube socks up. You dig, Matty boy? Thanks for talking to me here, man. ⚾⚾JV Johnny

Love this! GREAT quote.

This hit the mark with discussions that I have with my students at school. They say that acting looks so “easy”. I have to tell them that there is SO much that goes into acting. That there is so much more than just standing in front of a camera and reciting your lines. I have to tell them that the learning never stops and you’re in class a lot… if you can afford it. That typically turns the high school age student off and they become disinterested. 🙄

At minute 10:50 is the most concise, powerful, and frontal advice that every actor a year into acting/drama school needs to hear. If you wanna get far you must treat our trade as a lifestyle, not a hobby.

Haha I’m watching reptile right now and I just saw you in the police station!

Yet another excellent tip for self tapes 👏

I had only started watching the show again. I remember remembered these scenes. Many more of these actors should come to see you. You are very knowledgeable about your craft. I do admire Ms Hepburn.

Yes, the standing chair can be magic! Also, when the scene has me go from standing to sitting, or vice versa, I always think of what it means to the energy of the scene. My actual movements don't matter if I honor that intention.

What was the first word you were saying 😂 also can you teach us how to act 🤔 like different versions of the same line and why you chose the way you said the lines each different way.

Thank you for all you do ❤❤❤❤

Thank you for the video. I love your content. How about when the audition called for fighting physicality?

This specific video is GOLD. Those who already know this, know how valuable it is. Those who can't quite see the forest for the trees yet, this ONE video is worth the cost of at least 2-3 months of acting classes if you truly commit to absorbing what's in here.

Yay! You did the whole video- and I followed these great pcs of advice. SO glad I asked. 👏👏👏

Thanks so much for this video Matt! @Get Taped! is AWESOME!

Thank you. , I Love the sit on the edge and relax back tip.

Hey Matt!! Hey there, brother. So awesome to see you here, speaking practically, hilariously and authentically. And I mean it. And as a card-carrying former JV base ball jock (but still a good natured, wiseass, somewhat ireverant (did I freakin' spell that correctly?) working class kid at heart) I just fired a super floppy sneaker off a tube socked stocking foot that I hope you will catch and toss back in amazement as I catch it on that same stocking foot like a proper 80's jock slipper lol 🤣🤪. You 100% remind me of one of my buddies in high school and I could do that for days 😜. Seriously tho (WAIT. WHY?!) I really do hear you with the shaking a guy outta his fear (need to be perfect) in these self tapes. Honestly, I watch these and think-WTF!? how is an analog "car mechanic guy like me" gonna navigate this "virtual" online self-tape world when I honestly just wanna goof around with my buddies and dream of acting in this 'n that, truthfully talented and well trained here in ol' NYC...but it comes down to reality, and just wanting to do this 'n that badly enough, you know? It can be done, with time and learning of how these self tapes work. Oh boy! I wish you were in Brooklyn, Matt. I would see you on Wednesday! But I'd probably fire a sneaker through a window first lol 😛. Thanks for your heart and putting in the time and sweat, brother. You are appreciated. ⚾⚾ JV Johnny

Wow I never thought of asking to use my own reader! (That sounds sarcastic but I was being totally serious, thank you for the tip!)

Love this