In this day and age, where everyone has decent recording equipment on their phones, it is a good idea as an actor to have a project which is yours to create. I am very fortunate to have Jeremy Rishe and Cameron Bossert, partners in my production company, Thirdwing LTD, to help me realize my own storytelling desires. We make movies, online content and theatre in NYC.
This wasn't always the case. When I was younger I boldly set up my own theatre company, a non profit with a bunch of friends. I learned more about my creative voice in those two years than I could have imagined. You can do the same.
But you don't need to incorporate or start a business these days. All you need to do his reflect on what you want to say and write something personal. As an actor we are so used to coming in last into a project and we forget that we are the ones who KNOW story, how it lives and breathes in us.
Get friends together and read your work, get proactive. Shoot on your iPhone, beg, borrow (but don't steal) equipment. Do a favor for someone and let them do a favor for you. You don't need a theatre to create work anymore.
We may not be in control of who offers us work, but we can be in charge of creating our own work.
