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Minshew (’97) takes New York by storm
Nov 4, 2004 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
“Only three percent of the professional actors in New York City can boast that they make their livings solely as actors,” alumnus Kyle Minshew (‘97) told Darlington musical theater students during his visit to the School Nov. 1.
Minshew is among that three percent, having appeared in various musical and straight theater productions off-Broadway, several films and television shows such as “Dawson’s Creek,” “Sex and the City,” “Law and Order,” “All My Children” and “Guiding Light.”
He never planned to be an actor, and after graduating from Darlington, he attended the University of Georgia, where he majored in English and intended to become a print journalist. After participating in several theatrical performances “just for fun,” Minshew’s drama professor, Carolyn Blackinton, sat him down and asked him to seriously consider a professional acting career.
He did and decided to declare an additional major in theater and a minor in voice. Fours days after graduating from UGA in December 2001, Minshew and his then-partner moved to New York City.
“We had no jobs and knew no one. We lived out of hotels for a week and even slept in our U-Haul one night. We had to eat like college students far after graduating from college,” recalled Minshew. “The reality is that you have to have another job besides acting when you first move to New York City. The two most common jobs for actors are temping and waiting tables. My first job was selling household appliances in a department store.”
And for three months, Minshew did just that, while saving money to start acting classes and familiarizing himself with the city and the business.
“The hardest part is learning the business side of the acting world,” he said. “Through college and high school, you tend to be more exposed to the artistic side. We were lucky at UGA to have several former New York City actors on the faculty who gave us an idea of what to expect.”
According to Minshew, actors seeking a career in New York need to prepare themselves for rejection, initially.
“A lot of people think they can waltz in and say, ‘I’m going to be on Broadway,’ but New York is a city where you have to pay your dues and work your way up,” he said. “You have to have a certain toughness, single-mindedness and thick skin about you because so much of whether you are cast for a role has nothing to do with how talented you are. So much depends on your type, your voice, sometimes even how tall you are.
“You also have to keep a professional attitude about yourself. New York is a big city, but it’s a small town, and word gets around as to whether you’re easy or difficult to work with.”
Minshew said he normally goes to eight or nine auditions per week.
“I don’t get a lot of them, but it doesn't bother me anymore,” he said. “You have to learn how to stay focused. I came to New York with the attitude that ‘I’m going to be an actor, and they’re going to have to drag me away from this city kicking and screaming. If I have to scrub toilets, that’s what I'm going to do.’ Thankfully I didn’t.”
Minshew is currently preparing for a role in the independent film “Echos” and will be featured as Florian in the New York Production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Princess Ida.” Additionally, the off-Broadway play “Question,” where Minshew originated the role of David, is currently in negotiations for a run in London’s West End during the 2005 spring season.
Minshew is among that three percent, having appeared in various musical and straight theater productions off-Broadway, several films and television shows such as “Dawson’s Creek,” “Sex and the City,” “Law and Order,” “All My Children” and “Guiding Light.”
He never planned to be an actor, and after graduating from Darlington, he attended the University of Georgia, where he majored in English and intended to become a print journalist. After participating in several theatrical performances “just for fun,” Minshew’s drama professor, Carolyn Blackinton, sat him down and asked him to seriously consider a professional acting career.
He did and decided to declare an additional major in theater and a minor in voice. Fours days after graduating from UGA in December 2001, Minshew and his then-partner moved to New York City.
“We had no jobs and knew no one. We lived out of hotels for a week and even slept in our U-Haul one night. We had to eat like college students far after graduating from college,” recalled Minshew. “The reality is that you have to have another job besides acting when you first move to New York City. The two most common jobs for actors are temping and waiting tables. My first job was selling household appliances in a department store.”
And for three months, Minshew did just that, while saving money to start acting classes and familiarizing himself with the city and the business.
“The hardest part is learning the business side of the acting world,” he said. “Through college and high school, you tend to be more exposed to the artistic side. We were lucky at UGA to have several former New York City actors on the faculty who gave us an idea of what to expect.”
According to Minshew, actors seeking a career in New York need to prepare themselves for rejection, initially.
“A lot of people think they can waltz in and say, ‘I’m going to be on Broadway,’ but New York is a city where you have to pay your dues and work your way up,” he said. “You have to have a certain toughness, single-mindedness and thick skin about you because so much of whether you are cast for a role has nothing to do with how talented you are. So much depends on your type, your voice, sometimes even how tall you are.
“You also have to keep a professional attitude about yourself. New York is a big city, but it’s a small town, and word gets around as to whether you’re easy or difficult to work with.”
Minshew said he normally goes to eight or nine auditions per week.
“I don’t get a lot of them, but it doesn't bother me anymore,” he said. “You have to learn how to stay focused. I came to New York with the attitude that ‘I’m going to be an actor, and they’re going to have to drag me away from this city kicking and screaming. If I have to scrub toilets, that’s what I'm going to do.’ Thankfully I didn’t.”
Minshew is currently preparing for a role in the independent film “Echos” and will be featured as Florian in the New York Production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Princess Ida.” Additionally, the off-Broadway play “Question,” where Minshew originated the role of David, is currently in negotiations for a run in London’s West End during the 2005 spring season.
