We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Megan Greenspan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Megan below.

Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

The most unexpected problem I have faced in this business surrounds my time in college. I went to a Conservatory program for a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Actor Training. It was a traditional 4 year college and I thought those 4 years would teach me everything I had to know.
At the conclusion of my sophomore year, I was pulled into a meeting with every faculty member and administration staff member. I was told that I could not continue my time at the school and I would be asked to leave.
I was confused and when I asked why, I was told it was because I was not talented enough to be an actor and I need to find a new career path.
I could not believe it. I put years of my life into an acting career as well as 2 years at this school. I attempted to change their mind and tried to persuade them to let me come back. That mission failed and the decision was final, I was kicked out of college.
I was forced to move back home and re-evaluate my whole life. Did I still want to pursue acting? Were my professors right, was I not talented? I will admit, the words they said to me kept me down for a fair amount of time. I struggled finding my passion again.
Here I am, 8 years later and I am working as an actor. I still hear their words and will always have a sense of self-doubt because of this, but it also helps push me forward in this career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an actor based in Los Angeles! I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, always surrounded by the arts. I was put into dance at the age of 3 and trained until I was 18. I also started doing local musical theater when I was 6 and continued doing theater for many years after. I knew from a young age I wanted a career in the arts, and once I found acting I knew that was my path. It has not been an easy road but all of my struggles have led me to where I am today.
As someone pursuing a career in Hollywood, it is very easy to feel like you need to fit “the mold.” That is one thing that I think sets me apart from other actors. I am not a size 0 traditional Hollywood body. I am a curvy girl which has not always been represented in this industry. It has taken me a while to embrace the body I have and not try to change it, but now that I have embraced it, I use it to my advantage.
I am hoping one day to book a main role in a television sitcom. Comedy is definitely my favorite genre to play and that is a huge goal I am working toward.
For everyone following me and my journey, I want you to know that you are enough. No matter what career path you are on, what you bring to the table is enough. Never let anyone else dictate your life and decide your choices for you.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Something that I think is hard for people to understand about an acting career, is just how often we are not booking jobs. The biggest misconception is that if we are not currently on set or have a job lined up, that we are not working. That is completely false. The amount of behind the scenes work that non-creatives miss would shock them. I sit in front of my laptop for hours a day, self-submitting to acting jobs, editing self tapes, reading scripts, etc. Even when we are in-between jobs, it does not mean we are not working.
I hear the term “aspiring actor” all the time, and I honestly hate that term. Non-creatives use that term when they are describing an actor who is newer to the industry or they have not booked anything major yet. I believe that term diminishes all of the work we have put into being actors.
So much of this career is about hearing the word “no” that it starts to get even harder when we hear negativity coming from our friends/community who are non-creatives.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are so many resources out there that help newer creatives. The first one is a facebook group called Talent Managers for Actors. It is a HUGE group with thousands of agents, managers, and working actors in it providing support and answering questions. They help actors get representation, you can get critiques on self tapes. and be able to connect with fellow actors in your community.
Another resource that has been my lifeline for the past 2 years is The Lyndon Technique, and the founder Amy Lyndon. Amy has written a 15 step guideline for breaking down scripts and how to nail your scene every time. She has a book, online courses, intensives and her weekly masterclass. Amy has become so much more than a teacher to me, she has become a mentor and a friend. I recommend her book and her classes to any actor, new or old, because her teaching methods will change the way you look at a script.
Finally, not quite a resource, but I wish I knew earlier on how important a solid community of creatives would be. This business is cut throat and can be pretty brutal at times, so having friends who understand where you’re coming from supporting you, means everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheMeganGreenspan.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MeganElianna

Image Credits
Leah Huebner