“I was going to a seminary to be a pastor in church and fell in love with theater,” explained Swartz. His previous drama experience includes participating in one-act plays in high school. Now he tours with his company, Ted & Co., performing mostly his own original plays. He is currently involved in a local show, Lion in Winter, at the Court Square Theater in November.

Coons arrived at the American Shakespeare center in May, and has been performing eight shows a week. Her current role as Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Ernest, is one of her favorite roles she has played.  Swartz’s favorite role is constantly changing.

In order to get more practice performing, you have to survive the audition process. Coons explained that you are not always

guaranteed a spot if you submit yourself for an audition. If you do earn a spot, you must submit a headshot, cover letter, and resume. The audition may consist of reciting a memorized monologue, doing a cold reading, or reading lines with someone else in the room, who may not be a fellow actor.

“Usually you are auditioning yourself as a person as much as you are as an actor. If you’re mean to people you’re probably not going to get a lot of work,” said Swartz. From his experience, it appears that it is often your looks rather than talent that lands you a role. In this way, attractive people have an unfair advantage. Swartz has a slightly different situation, since his company auditions for shows, rather than him auditioning individually.
“I really love what I do, but what I do can always be different. Its not a job that has a whole lot of security. It’s not a career for the faint of heart,” explained Coons.
“You have to keep picking yourself up off the ground,” said Swartz. “Acting is one of the most rewarding things you could do, but it’s almost impossible to make a living. It will never be boring. There are lots of less interesting careers that will make you more money.”