Actor/Director Relationships from and ACTORS standpoint

I have been very lucky, and humbled in my career to have performed all over the world with some of the most incredible directors, ........ and some not so incredible.....

This brings me to what this blog is all about.

Now this just my opinion of course so if you don't want to listen to some goofy actors thoughts I would recommend to stop reading now.

So of all the directors I have worked with in the some 65 professional productions I have done over the last 12 years. I can say that 90% of them have been wonderful.

Some a little more crabby, or more serious than others..... But wonderful just the same.

The reason I find these directors to be wonderful, is that all of these directors treat their actors with respect.

Actors are of course artists in their own right. So treating them with respect you will get the best product possible. Then of course on the flip side treat them with disrespect and you can look forward to an uphill battle for the duration of the production.

What do I mean by respect or disrespect??? Here are a few instances that will hopefully explain what I mean.

Correct Way:

1. An Actor, and Director may not totally agree on the direction of the actors character.....

A great Director will take on board the BEST way to speak to the actor about the troubles, and or confusion. Then discuss it with the actor, and a compromise will made where both actor and director are happy.

Wrong Way:

1. A director will talk down to the actor in front of others. Things like "I am the director do what I say........ " ETC

Many of you reading this might think DUH!?!? Of course this is a no brainer.....

But you would be surprised at how many Directors out there truly believe that belittling their actors in front of others is OK........ That just by being the director, they have the RIGHT to lose their tempers and be unapologetic. They also have the RIGHT to yell at those around them, and then DEMAND respect, and allegiance just because of their position.

It truly is a shame, because of the amount of talented directors that are out there with this issue could go far if they could control themselves, and their emotions.

Now make no mistake. There are famous directors out there who are known for acting this way..... Who have made INCREDIBLE careers despite their awful behavior. Though I have to say they are VERY FEW, and far between. To be honest I can think of only one off the top of my head. (very famous that is)

Now I know I am living in a bit of a fantasy world thinking that this blog will reach the types of folks I am talking about.....

I also understand that there are a ton of people out there that are power hungry, and feel that when they make it to the position of quote on quote "power"(as a director) that it is their right to treat people poorly.

But this is my Blog LOL LOL LOL So I can say what I want.

And that is....... I think that as director you should treat your actors with respect. That you should listen "within reason" to their thoughts, and contributions to whatever piece is being done. Respect their process...... Never talk down to them in front of others.... An if you lose your temper be man or women enough to admit your mistake. Then STRIVE to not make that mistake again.

Now this is a two way street..... Actors should be respectful in return. I have worked with many who aren't. I have personally in the past made mistakes myself, and let me temper get the better of me. In all of those instances I have admitted that I was wrong.

Getting caught in the heat of the moment etc etc these things happen on both sides. And really they are not what I am talking about.

We as artists work in a very emotionally charged environment. I understand this.

I am not talking about the occasional back and fourth etc etc

I am talking about when a director feels no remorse..... Where it becomes part of their process to be verbally abusive to their actors..... Where they feel that treating others with that level disrespect is their right because of their position. And believing that as actors we should just do as we are told.

I say...... strive to be better. Remember that as director, and as in many other situations in life..... RESPECT is EARNED not GIVEN........

JEREMIAH JAMES "TUPELO"

Well its been crazy the last few months working prepping for the release of my first solo album! Now its here.......

One of my passions are classic cars. I have rebuilt a few with my dad when I was a kid.... Then a couple on my own.....

The satisfaction of the finished product was always that first drive. The moment when I now that I had done it. It was complete. Even though I always knew that more work was to come to keep in on the road, I felt I had conquered the mountain.

That is how I feel with this album... I know much more work is coming... But I feel that I have conquered the mountain....

This album has been the culmination of a years worth of work. I had an amazing team working with me on this. Mike Croiter my producer, and Dave Cook my arranger.

These two men have truly put together an album that I am not only proud of, but excited and honored to be sending out into the world.

I have been a Elvis fan for as long as I can remember..... He truly is an iconic figure... To be lending my voice to songs that he made famous is more than a dream come true for me.

I hope that each and everyone of you who buys this record enjoys it as much as I truly enjoyed bringing it to life.

Been a long time!

Hey Everyone!

Its been a long time since I last blogged! LOL The truth is I have been running around like a chicken with his head cut off. I am very luck and humbled in this difficult time to have had constant work.

I know so many performer who are struggling, as it can be a difficult biz in and of itself. Then add in a financial crisis (that we slowly seem to be coming out of) and that makes what we do that much more difficult.

I have always had the belief that this BIZ is hard enough..... So we as actors should help each other out!

Now I am not nieave..... I know its a dog eat dog world but on at the same time.....I believe that if we all tried to to help each other out a bit more, that we would all work more. So that is my hope..... Not just for performers..... But for everyone......

So on to the work report!

I am about to start 2 shows. Then my debut Solo record comes out Aug the 10th! Anyone who follows this blog.... I would be very grateful if you helped spread the word!

I will blog again while I am in rehearsal for my next show!!

Best Wishes out there!!

Jeremiah James

What a company!

At the moment I am working on a new production of Disneys Beauty and The Beast at the Ordway Theater in MN.

It is very rare in this business where you join a cast like this..... What I mean by that is, most of the time as an actor you forget why you started int his business in the first place.

The cast full of mostly local performers from the Twin cities, bring such a wonderful energy excitement to work.

It is a big change from working with a full cast of performers that often are jaded by the nasty hard nosed part of this business.

These performers at the Ordway are just thrilled to be here. LOVE the theater with such a youthful excitement that it becomes infectious. You can't help but be uplifted and excited with them.

How refreshing. Thank you to this cast for reminding me why I got into this business.

It is fun, silly. We have a chance to entertain folks and take them away from their day for a few hours. Make them laugh or even cry. How lucky I am to do what I do.

Though I know it may sound cheesy to some. For me it couldn't be more genuine.

I am thrilled to be here and love this cast.

I hope as performers we are all reminded from time to time why we got into this business

in the first place.

Check out Teatromusic.com for a major announcement coming!!!!

Whats next?

Carousel closed on the West End June 21st. To say goodbye to that show and the people in it was very difficult.It was truly one of the best experiences of my career. I will miss the production and the people dearly.

Since then I have been traveling, visiting family which is why you haven't heard from me in awhile. I have been to Texas drove to SC and am about to head home to NYC.

SO what,s next!

Well at the moment I have been working on several different projects from new shows, to picking new tracks........

TRACKS???? What for you might ask???

Well I have signed a 2 album solo deal with an independent label in NYC. We start production on the first album in Aug!!!!

I have always had a passion for music. Now I have been given the chance to share my love of music with family, friends, and hopefully new fans!

I will keep you all up to date on the happenings!

I hope all that continue to fallow my career are well. See you soon at my next concert!

Best Wishes

Jeremiah

Whats next?

My voice.....

A singer's voice is a very fragile thing. When I first started singing lessons when I was 15, I had no idea the amount of commitment and control it took to be a professional singer! It was also explained to me how much my voice would change over the years.

 From the time you are 18 to the time you are 30, you will find that a singer's voice will have changed dramatically both in tone and depth. Man or woman, its the same. Case in point, listen to old recordings from Elvis Presley when he was 21 to when he was 35 on his 68' Comeback Special, and you will see what I am talking about. 

 

When I started my career, my voice was slightly higher. I was closer to a tenor than I was  a baritone. Now I am much closer to a Bari/tenor....... 

So how do I  do 8 shows a week you ask? Well, there is a lot that goes into it. First thing is NO caffeine.... Second NO booze.......... Third lots and lots of water...... Lastly REST/SLEEP........ These are the rules I follow when I have to sing this much. The reasons are that both booze and caffeine dry out your voice. Your voice gets plenty dry just singing. So you don't want to do anything that will help it. The rest and or sleep is because you body heals while you are asleep. So the more rest you get, the better rested your voice is. Then everyday, warm up properly.......

Now even with all these precautions you can still lose your voice. It can be affected by allergies, a cold, a throat infection etc. Sometimes just singing over a long period of time can dry you out and make you horse. Constant phlegm can also push your voice to brink. So as you can see there is a lot that goes into this..........

Last week in performance, I was just getting tired and my voice gave out at the end of the show! These things happen. The only thing you can do is water, steam, and rest. 

So now you see how glamorous singing really is!!! LOL 

Check back soon!!!!!!