By Doug Shapiro, Accelerated Artist Career Coach

When I was a wee Shakespeare stripling at the Theater at Monmouth back in the ‘90s, it was Jeremiah Kissel who checked on our merry band of Interns. He would volunteer time from his considerably busy Shakespeare-in-rotating-rep schedule to make sure that our generation of actors was learning the needed skills to build our own technique. “Who needs to learn how to make facial hair pieces? Sit down, I’m going to   Read More...

By Doug Shapiro, Accelerated Artist Career Coach

Hello Beautiful People! Doug here, reporting from the battlefront of physical fitness.Weight Watchers has not approved this article. However, talking about how their system worked for me is a key part of this sharing. Hopefully they’ll decline to send lawyers but will decide to send me free dinners. And a pony. But I digress. I’ve been on Weight Watchers for a month and  Read More...

by Doug Shapiro, Accelerated Career Coach

Hello Accelerated Artists! Doug here with some great news. You’re allowed to make money at your craft. The work we bring into the world is crucial. We offer perspective. We inspire reflection. We bring our buyers from despair to elation and everywhere in between. Our craft is immense and our gift is

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by Doug Shapiro, Accelerated Artist Career Coach 

Last week I was knocked off my feet by phenomenal talent. One of those instances in which their example paves the way to an artistry I can only hope to achieve myself one day.It wasn’t a singer belting to the rafters. It wasn’t an intimate breathtaking performance by a movie actor. It wasn’t a dancer drumming out his story through his tap shoes. It was a Human Resources manager claiming her space. Allow me to explain. I work for an excellent  Read More...

by Doug Shapiro, Accelerated Artist Career Coach

Hello Accelerated Artists! Uncle Doug here currently having the time of my life rehearsing for the Off-Broadway production of Once Upon a Mattress. Hilarious cast. Professional environment. MGM-Style musical numbers. It’s truly a dream job. You know what was really sweet about landing this gig?

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By Doug Shapiro, Accelerated Artist Career Coach

Hello Accelerated Artists! Uncle Doug here with a very simple tip to enrich your business: Subscribe to The New Yorker. Yes, it’s true that the Shouts and Murmurs section at the beginning will enhance your own storytelling. Yes, it is also true that reading in-depth articles on topics outside of your usual form of artistic expression can only enhance the work you do, not to mention make you way more well-rounded in an agent interview. And the yessiest...  Read More...

By Doug Shapiro

Hello Business Owners! Here comes part 3 of 3 of Business Lovin’ for our College Pros. Again, these actual questions are from the next generation of Accelerated Business Owners, my master class students at Shenandoah Conservatory and James Madison University. Theme for this article: Promotion. “I am a senior musical theatre student who is interested in pursuing film/tv performance, but have no experience, what are some next steps into that field?...  Read More...

 By Doug Shapiro

Hello Business Owners! Here comes part 2 of 3 of Business Lovin’ for our College Pros. Again, these actual questions are from the next generation of Accelerated Business Owners, my master class students at Shenandoah Conservatory and James Madison University.Theme for this article: your Product.“Should you alter your image/clothing style based on what others (truthfully) perceive you as so that you can be successful in the business?”  Read More...

by Doug Shapiro

 I am fortunate enough to have in my circle of friends Jonathan Flom of Shenandoah Conservatory and Kate Arecchi of James Madison University. They are part of the movement teaching business strategies at a collegiate level, and they are making amazing things happen.On several occasions, I have had the honor and privilege to work with one next generation of Accelerated Business Owners, and at the end of the three...  Read More...

 By Doug Shapiro

Accelerated Artist, prepare yourself for madness. After all, today is the 47th day of 2015. Are you on track with your goals? You resolutions? Your desires? Well…we’re going to go a little crazy here.

Just for today, I’m giving you permission to

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By Doug Shapiro

 It’s the start of the New Year, and if we’re going to accelerate in our careers in 2015, we need to tackle some touchy issues head-on. I’m going to be talking about breaking or embracing stereotypes in our careers. It’s coming from a place of love so, before I dive in, I’m asking your permission to say things incorrectly in the pursuit of better understanding. Recently, one of my favorite podcasts Stuff Mom Never Told You, has been addressing the issu...  Read More...

 By Doug Shapiro

So, your battle scars have almost healed from Thanksgiving and it’s already time to head back to the family for the winter holidays for more of the same comments: “I know you write, but what is your REAL job?” “If you’re a singer, why don’t you go on The Voice?’ “Oh, you’re the struggling actor/starving artist.” It’s time to turn this around. End the internalization and sabotage these comments cause and bring it back to them in words they can understand. You and I know tha...  Read More...

By Doug Shapiro

The “Business” can be frustrating for so many reasons and I’m not going to list them here, you’ve gone over them enough times in your head. It’s time for a mental shift, you fearless actor, you. I hereby challenge you to break the cycle of helplessness and “burn-out” and reignite your passion—that passion that made you first declare, “By gum, I am a Professional!”  How do you reignite that passion?  By doing tangible things that prove you VALUE yourself.   Read More...