So Thankful

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s acting blog from Fran Montano of Actors Workout Studio discusses being “So Thankful.”

Gratitude and Thanksgiving. This is a time when I like to talk with actors about gratitude and working to live in a place of gratitude. As actors it’s easy to be a victim, constantly waiting for your phone to ring and for having to have someone else help you to be in a situation of working.  Actors can become jaded if that is not in check. That is the one thing I hope you’ve gained from reading my blogs over the years. Live in gratitude and appreciation. Keep a gratitude journal and write in it every day.

How appropriate I get to write this blog during November, this time of Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for all of you who have been reading my blogs over the past 10 years.

This is my final blog for the NoHo Arts District. I have been writing blogs here for 10 years. I’ve owned the Actors Workout Studio in Noho for over 35 years and am proud to be a part of the community.  I am still here teaching, coaching, and creating projects, but am going to step down from writing my blogs. Time to pass the torch.

I’ve been honored. I’ve written over 100 blogs, some were excerpts from my book, Act Authentically, but most from my 40 years of experience of being an actor, teacher, and artistic director.  At the Actors Workout, for over 35 years, we’ve offered classes for actors, directors, writers, and produced plays for our community and the industry. Many actors, writers, and directors have moved on to big things as a result of their work here, plays published and playing around the world, actors getting seen by casting directors, finding agents, and networking to bigger and better things.  We’ve had our share of successes, failures, numerous, awards, always standing in the integrity of our art, our members, and our work.  Our audiences have seen nearly 500 performances over the years and have been supportive fans, and yes critics, but most everyone appreciated the local community feel, and felt our appreciation to do our work. Many people found and developed personal and professional relationships that are strong and bonded.  (I think we have many marriages and now children that the connections began at the studio.) If I’ve shared one thing with you that gave you some insight, direction, or advice, then it’s been worth it.  

My motto about my teaching and the Actors Workout is “Transforming actors’ lives, one at a time.” It’s never been about quantity, always quality.

Thank you to Nancy Bianconi for inviting me and supporting me all these years and Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros for all your support and assistance.

I’m still teaching, acting, private coaching, and creating projects while working and spending time in the NoHo District, so feel free to stay in touch by emailing me at fran@actorsworkout.com  and keep updated through my website www.actorsworkout.com

I wish you all the best and thank you for the opportunity to be of service and share with you. 

All the best to you!