THE SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCESS

Fast Facts:

Pursuit: Actor and writer of stage and screen

Definition of success: “Happiness with yourself.”

Movies, webisodes, stand-up, plays, commercials, a book – this guest has done it all. LA Weekly calls his play Legends and Bridge ‘OUTRAGEOUS! One of the bitchiest cat fights this side of Dynasty.’ A comedic actor/writer, he has featured in the indie movies Off Hollywood, Hidden Hills and Expect Delays, and in the web series What’s My Intention, Ground Floor and 99% Gang. As well as penning the stage plays Legends and Bridge and The Green Room, he has written the acting self-help book Awakening the Actor Within. Here to tell us how it all came together: C. Stephen Foster.

“In Ninth Grade, I accidently signed up for a stagecraft class,” Stephen explains of his early introduction to the world of performing arts, “which ended up being a crash course lesson in all areas of stage: PR, props, prompting, and acting. The teacher made us sign a contract for our grade and somehow I got hooked. I’ve been on stage or page ever since. I came to Hollywood primarily to write and a friend of mine, Scott Wilkerson, sort of tricked me into acting by putting a little show together called Divanalysis. It’s been a long, rough journey with stumbles and throwbacks around nearly every corner. My victories – and body of work – have been hard-earned.”

Stephen’s commitment to his work is an on-going process, a mission to develop projects-in-hand and publicise his productions. I ask him how this transpires on a day to day basis.

“Well, a typical day for me – at this point – involves marketing my talents. I spend a lot of time on social media attempting to make more work out of the work I’ve already done. For example: my play Legends and Bridge is being produced in New Jersey in December, so I’m using all of November to promote it to NYC producers to obtain an Off Broadway production. In addition to that, I submit myself for projects that interest me. I do work a day job so my other part time job is promoting my work.”

He doesn’t spend too much time reflecting on his achievements, citing a need to keep moving to the next step. I’ve seen this before: successful people don’t just work hard – they work harder, always raising the bar. Stephen is no exception.

“An artist is never satisfied. We keep leaping further and further into the unknown. That’s how we keep sharp. I find if I take too much time to gloat then I’ve taken my eye off the creative ball. I’d say I’m most proud of Legends and Bridge finally being produced on the East coast,” he relents when I push him for his most gratifying achievements. “And my current project 99% Gang. I’m also rather happy with Awakening the Actor Within.”

Stephen has a right to be proud, but his achievements have not come without forfeit.

“An artist’s life has to be one of absorbing interest. I have sacrificed time and money and years to projects. I’ve scarified having a normal life. I’ve devoted my life to my mission and it’s finally starting to pay off.”

Some of those rewards, at least, seem to stem from Stephen’s refocussing of his goals.

“I went from the intention, “I want to act” to, “I want to act in films and webisodes!” So much more specific.” 

And he’s a man happy with the results, by and large. I ask him if he ever covets the ones who didn’t take the plunge and walk a more routine way of life. 

“Heavens, no! I envy – mostly when I hit a patch of doubt – those who have made it who don’t seem to have any real talent or skill. Like Honey Boo Boo or any of the reality TV stars.”

So just what is Stephen’s definition of success? 

“That’s a trick question!” he objects. “Success to me is happiness with yourself. Success is also recognition and money. Money and recognition open doors for you. I’ve worked very diligently over the past five years to brand and market myself as a funny actor/writer.”

To my mind, he has achieved that. I’ve seen some of Stephen’s stand-up routines and commercial work and it’s funny stuff, but I’ve added some links below so you can be the judge of that! Despite his extrovert, hardly-formulaic acting style, Stephen does have a familiar approach to success:

“I always give the same advice that actress Ruth Gordon gave to the graduating class of the school she got kicked out of:

“ ‘Never give up,’ I told the graduating class. ‘Never give up’ sounds easy, but it isn’t.

‘Never give up!’ Does that seem funny to tell you, who haven’t gotten started? That’s when you have to be warned! I can’t give up. I have too big an investment. It’s when you’re starting is when not to get discouraged. The last time I was at the Academy, the president said, ‘We feel you’re not suited to acting. Don’t come back.’ Well, you see who’s standing here. And on that awful day when someone says you’re not suited, when they say you’re too tall, you’re not pretty, you’re no good, think of me and don’t give up!”

I would also add: make and work those contacts. Don’t live or die by one work of art. Always be making something new. Get your name out there and be unafraid of failure.”

My thanks to Stephen for his time and for opening the window into his world. Stephen’s play Legends and Bridge opens in New Jersey on December 2^nd, and the series 99% Gang is coming soon. For more details keep an eye on Stephen’s website: www.cstephenfoster.com and for the latest news follow him on Twitter  @cstephnefoster and Facebook at facebook.com/c.stephenfoster

And as promised, you can see a taste of Stephen’s delightfully camp (yes, an understatement) stand-up routine here!