We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandon Salerno a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brandon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I caught the acting bug during sophomore year of high school while rehearsing for the annual fall play with the EHS Players Club. The show was While the Lights Were Out by Jack Sharkey, a murder mystery farce with eccentric characters and physical comedy. I remember immediately falling in love with the genre and my particular role as Roderick Remley, the creepy dracula-like butler. Prior to this, I was on track to pursue a path in science, possibly as a doctor or researcher. However, everything changed when I started to catch myself daydreaming about acting while in my Chemistry Honors class. I realized I didn’t get the same feeling of fulfillment from my classes that I did from being on stage. I knew at that point that my heart was calling me to perform and since then, I have never looked back.

Brandon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a NYC-based Theatre / TV / Voice-Over actor with a passion for Clown, Commedia dell’Arte and Farce. I grew up in Eastchester, NY where I performed in middle / high school with the EHS Players Club and EYC Summer Theatre programs. I then attended the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study where I graduated with a concentration in Acting, Entertainment Business, and Educational Theatre. I’ve been auditioning professionally since high school and concentrating on learning both the artistic and business sides of this profession. I am most notably known for my recurring co-star role (seasons 1-3) as Truman in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel opposite Tony Shalhoub. Other acting credits include: Tinkercast’s “Who, When, Wow!” (Apple Podcasts), The Other Two (HBO Max), and Nella The Princess Knight (Nick Jr.). I’ve been fortunate enough to also have worked on the other side of the table as a commercial casting director at GENUINE: The Real People Company for 5 years, finding talent for major brands, including T-Mobile, Dove, McDonalds, and Ziploc. Currently, I lead a NYC-based Commedia dell’Arte troupe called the Department of Fools and I’m also a Producer / Assistant Director for the EHS Players Club’s fall shows. My reps are Trillion Management, Stewart Talent and BMG NY. www.brandonsalerno.com

I have always been most passionate about performing comedy. I absolutely love playing heightened characters in ridiculous situations. Joan Rivers, my favorite comic, always said that laughter helps audiences escape the troubles in their own lives and gives them a therapeutic release. I have always believed in this sentiment and strive to provide that experience for my audiences. Since the pandemic, I have pivoted to giving more energy to pursuing theatre. During the isolation of lockdowns, I started to really miss being in front of excited crowds and getting a rush from the unpredictability of live performance. Now, I am most interested in studying and performing Clown, Commedia dell’Arte and Farce. I have worked with: Christopher Bayes (Yale), Giovanni Fusetti (Helikos), Aitor Basauri and Toby Park (Spymonkey), and Matthew A.J. Gregory (The New School).

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think many non-creatives (and a lot of creatives actually!) forget that a career as an actor is a business and should be equally treated as such. Meaning, it’s not just about being a fantastic performer, but rather also having a professional mindset that allows you to navigate as if your talent is a product and you are advertising it for purchase. When I refer to the “business side” of an acting career, I am referring to how to read a contract, getting an agent / manager, headshots, resume formatting, how to network with casting directors, self-tape set up, audition technique etc. You can be the most breathtaking performer in the world, but if you don’t have the infrastructure built around you to market yourself and attract professional work, you may not hit the levels of success that you hope for. As creatives, we need the professionals who want to hire us to take us seriously as peers/collaborators and so having your marketing materials in place can instill that confidence. Ultimately, an actor’s life is a balance of understanding the artistic craft and knowing how to navigate the business side of the industry.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I believe that the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is two-fold: 1. Getting to showcase your talent and 2. Passing on your knowledge and experience to the next generation.

First, it is an immense privilege to be able to perform as an actor. With limited jobs available, especially after Covid and the SAG strike, every opportunity is a gift. It is the most rewarding experience to get to do what you have always dreamed of doing.

Secondly, I personally love teaching. I have coached middle/high school students via Zoom sessions during Covid with The Prep NJ and now I am the Assistant Director for the EHS Players Club’s annual fall show. It is amazing to watch students grow and improve when working with them. I am also able to share information about the talent industry that I did not know at their age, allowing them to hopefully have a slightly easier experience entering the business. It is incredibly rewarding to be someone that my students can look up to and ultimately, inspire them to pursue their own paths.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.brandonsalerno.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/brandonsactor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandonsalernoactor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsalerno
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/brandonsactor
• Other: TikTok: @brandonsactor
  Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/brandonsalerno

Image Credits

Shani Hadjian Photography for the headshot and photo of me looking at the Commedia masks around me
Commedia masks by Jonathan Becker