Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Calcagno.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Scott. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up on the south side of Chicago (Cicero, IL) with little money or encouragement to fulfill my dream of being a professional actor. After college (University of Illinois in Champaign, IL) I started as a professional actor working in the Chicago theater scene: Marriott Theater, Goodman Theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Ravinia, and others eventually getting my union card. I then did a couple of national tours (Into the Woods, Scrooge the Musical) and then got the First National tour of the Broadway musical Ragtime which rehearsed in NYC. While on tour I moved to NYC permanently and after tour – to makes ends meet in NY – I began coaching actors, teaching acting workshops, worked as a casting director and directing live shows. Eventually agents and managers in NY began sending clients to me for coaching; especially kids and teens as they were landing jobs as a result of my work with them. I found that I connected to youth actors and was able to guide them to good performances by teaching the skill set of acting and by addressing confidence issues that were getting in their way of full, fearless and honest expression of the material. Since I grew up in an environment where I had passion and drive but not the best self-esteem I find that I have a specialty in the area of making kids and teens feel safe in the acting space where they are free (and encouraged) to use their full voice, express themselves through physical and expose honest emotional truths. It is my belief that by doing these things, actors of any age and level, are able to give honest performances (which is what an audience deserves and connects to) while also learning to be more comfortable in their own skin in everyday life. I began to travel to LA for acting conventions where I met agents, managers and casting directors there so I became well-versed in the business off show business which was a great accompaniment to teaching the acting skill set and confidence building. I do all of this for adults, too, but have special fulfillment when I see a young person coming to “life” – again, due to my childhood, nothing is more moving to me! Although I still have a place in NY, I am mostly in Chicago and with my connections and roots in the city, I decided to start the business Regarding Actors, LLC as a place where actors of any age and skill level (and of course confidence level) can come for training, show business understanding, business introductions, casting opportunities, coaching sessions, etc. Slogan is: Coaching, Casting and Workshops for the Professional and the Aspiring Actor. Since I have started this I am again being acknowledged as a space for youth and teens to come to confidence build as well as learn the skill set of acting and what it means to take space as an actor and for an audience. I also continue to freelance as a professional director, casting director, writer, actor and coach. I also recently spent a year as a guest Assistant Professor of Musical Theater at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, aka. CCPA.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As I mentioned, yes there have been many struggles getting to the point of creating this business. Low self-esteem has played an issue in general which plays a special role in anyone who pursues a career in the performing arts, but I don’t regret it as it has helped me quickly identify it in others and help them through it. Also, a life in the performing arts is trying because of the sporadic work, uneven pay scales, and always seemingly starting back the beginning to try to land the next gig. It is a conscious decision to keep embracing the “gypsy” life as opposed to “succumbing” to the real world of job security & benefits. I have also experienced very personal issues that have been road blocks. All said, these struggles have been the perfect training ground for me to be able to help others with same or similar issues achieve their best.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Since I have spent many years as a professional actor, director and casting director I understand the skill set needs an actor needs to succeed as an effective actor and as a working actor, the latter including the art of the audition. And also, since I grew up in an environment where I had passion and drive for acting but not the best self-esteem, I find that I have a specialty in the area of making kids, teens and adults feel safe in the acting space where they are free (and encouraged) to use their full voice, express themselves through physical honesty, and expose vulnerable emotional truths. It is my belief that by doing these things, actors of any age and level, are able to give honest performances (which is what an audience deserves and connects to) while also learning to be more comfortable in their own skin in everyday life.
What were you like growing up?
I always wanted to be an actor and singer.
I was an introverted kid but in the right circumstances – where I felt safe and was with people I trusted – I was funny. I got good grades and could sing (thankfully) and so had a successful HS career in choir and theater, although the HS itself wasn’t the greatest environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.regardingactors.com
- Phone: 773-368-4841
- Email: Scott@RegardingActors.com
- Instagram: RegardingActors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Regarding-Actors-LLC-625977800761868/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/regardingactors?lang=en
Image Credit:
Brett Beiner Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
