Two and a half years ago, in September 2013, I was condemned to my couch in Rotterdam for five weeks, because of a badly sprained ankle covered in plaster cast, and I read Glenn Alterman’s book for the first time. I had been dreaming about acting in New York City. I never expected it would become real in 2016. This book has been a true guide, a source of inspiration and a great help to get to know the New York acting business that is so different from the industry in the Netherlands. Last February when I got my artist visa I could dream again about a future in the USA to pursue my career in acting.
I then reread Glenn Alterman’s book…
no, wait…
I studied it…
in the Amsterdam Public Library for days in a row.
Again it was very helpful.
Can you imagine how excited I was when I found out a few weeks ago that Glenn Alterman is a member of The WorkShop Theater Company too?!!
Tonight he came in as a playwright to hear one of his plays read out loud by the company actors. I was there. And I cold read the new work of two other playwrights. After the Writers’ Meeting was done, I walked up to Glenn holding his book in my hand to tell him how thankful I was that he wrote this book and shared his knowledge. I told him my story, that where I come from the industry is so different and that his book has been a tremendous help for me. At first, he did not understand why the industry would be very different from where I came from: “Aren’t you from the US? Somewhere from the Midwest? – (Because of my Scandinavian look) – I didn’t hear an accent when you were reading on stage!” His words were music to my ears. “In fact”, he said, “when I heard you on stage, I was thinking of asking you to come in and read a part in one of my other plays at another event.” I couldn’t be happier! We both felt flushed and he gave me a big hug. I asked him to sign my copy of his book that I brought.
Thank you, Glenn, for your inspirational book and for your encouraging words tonight! My life is all about acting since I came to New York six weeks ago,
and I…
LOVE…
IT!!!
