I wouldn’t change a thing. I did my best with what was available to me and made the most of the opportunities that presented themselves. Even my first year of college when I found myself in an unhappy fishbowl and transferred home second semester ended up being a learning experience and actually helped get me where I am in a roundabout way.
I definitely wouldn’t go to LA or New York for supplemental screen actor training if I could turn back the clock even if I could have afforded to do so. Those summers spent doing repertory theatre back home where I was a big fish were too valuable. I was fortunate enough to be able to play some of the great young womens’ roles of the classic stage and really grew from it. It wasn’t like I was just lunch waitressing and getting in protracted arguments with CC parents. So maybe it wasn’t a case of too much stage and not enough film.
I guess if I could change anything in my conservatory training, it would be to introduce on-camera earlier like I said before along with including more work in TV styles. But I’m scratching my head wondering what would have to be sacrificed in the schedule to do it. Plus, I wouldn’t have been turned on by that when I was looking at schools. I was a hardcore repertory gal with every intention of being ensconced as a resident member of a regional Shakespeare company by now. I had little interest in TV or most commercial film, so my 18 year old self would have certainly looked at my 28 year old self as a big sellout. I really struggled with that for awhile … So, if I’ve sent any kids who are looking on into eye rolling mode with all this Philistine screen actor talk, I salute you!