Being an actor in LA can be a bit lonely. You are going to auditions alone in a car. You might work alone at home as your day job (or be the only actor at your day job). And if you are lucky, you might live alone.
But I find it so important to surround myself by other actors (and other creatives) who are likeminded. But finding those people can be tough. I had a good couple of years where my actor friends were not the most supportive and I wasn’t being my best self around them. When I had a falling out with that group of friends, I decided that this was the perfect time to find my actor community.
The first group of actors who became a part of my community were a bunch of fellow actors from an improv theater that I used to study at. While not everyone in an improv or other acting class might be the perfect additional to your actor community, it’s a great way to find actor friends who support you in your goals and help you when you need someone (like when you have to self-tape something). I joined this improv theater when I was 19 and over a decade later some of the people I met there are some of the best friends I have.
I’ve also met amazing actors through various organizations I’m a part of. Some of the actor organizations I’m a member of include Women In Film, The Actors’ Network, and SAG-AFTRA (I’ve met some great friends through the Film Society). I try to attend the events that these organizations have and be active on their online communities. Sometimes I’ll see someone post that they need help doing something and if I’m available I’ll help out. And whenever I do that I always meet some incredible people.
Finally, one of my favorite ways to meet new actors to add to my personal actor community is through things like Ms. In The Biz or Inside Acting Podcast (full disclosure: I work for Inside Acting and obviously am a writer for Ms In The Biz). Both of those have very active online communities through Facebook and through their websites. It’s a wonderful way to connect with other actors and to find answers to questions that I might have (or answer questions that others have). Also, both have different community events. Ms In The Biz has had their launch party for the website as well as the book launch. Inside Acting has been doing more and more hangouts like dinners and hikes.
No matter how you find your own acting community, I think it’s super important to have friends who you can rely on when you need help, advice, or just someone to hang out with when you are having an off day.