JAGGER KAYE is a working New York actor ("ED", "THE KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY" & the upcoming Rob Schneider film "THE CHOSEN ONE", National Commercials, Dozens of films), he has written and directed over 30 plays and 2 short films, and he is also a teacher and coach offering affordable classes to New York actors. Jagger is one of the most respected sources for outing acting/model scams and owns/operates the NYC areas most respected FREE casting group - www.ACTORSFIRSTNY.com. Jagger is also an Independent Casting Director & a Career Consultant (over 7 dozen clients).

Interviewed by Kipley Wentz

Jagger, on first meeting you, you seem more like a “tough guy” than an actor, and your path to showbiz success has not been typical. How did you get started, and what has kept you motivated?

Tough guy, huh? I guess its part of my appearance so I’ll agree partially but will disagree with “showbiz success” because I am not where I want to be yet. I got started in the mid-90’s because I made a lifestyle change (OK, maybe tough guy is somewhat correct … lol) and for a few years pursued it half-assed. In May of 1999 a working actor that had seen my work evolve once I became serious, approached me and basically told me I was “ready” & to change anything in my life holding me back. A week later I decided to quit my day-job with no idea how I would support myself and go at the industry full-time. A week later I booked my first commercial, became SAG and booked a feature and another commercial within one-month and never looked back.

My motivation is strictly I love the work. I have turned down several six-figure jobs in order to struggle and hustle my way to cover my bills and do not regret it. My passion is “the art of telling a story” and thankfully between my acting and teaching (www.AffordableActingClasses.com) I am able to pay my bills without working outside the industry!

Because it’s such an important event, I want to ask you up front about your Christmas benefit, “A Very Jaggered Xmas”. Tell me about the show, who it benefits, and how we can participate.

Well info is at www.AVeryJaggeredXMAS.com and it is our 8th annual charity event where we collect unwrapped toys for Children Living With Aids. This year all gifts go to The Incarnation Children Center located in Manhattan and the event is on Monday, December 17th at The Producers Club Theater – 358 W.44th St – NYC!

While the show benefits children, the entertainment is geared towards adults. We also accept toy donations and Toys-R-Us giftcards.

For some reason if you are not interested in seeing comedic one-acts, holiday based improv and stand-up, musical-acts, etc. you can still help the great cause. These poor children need as many smiles around the holiday as possible and your toy might be what they reach for in a moment of sadness … THINK ABOUT THAT!

It usually sells out way in advance… is it even possible to still get tickets?

You can go to www.AVeryJaggeredXMAS.com and purchase for only $15 and we also request a toy donation if you attend. We will have a Christmas tree on-stage with all the gifts surrounding it. Last year we collected 400+ toys!

When we first talked, you mentioned that you don’t have conservatory training or a degree in acting. Do you ever feel you’re at a disadvantage here in New York, home to many highly-trained actors?

Of course my background is somewhat of a disadvantage, but it makes me who I am (I guess some will consider that a disadvantage as well … lol). All I can be is who I am and use what I have, so I don’t fret on it. The biggest hurdle in becoming a good actor is finding the truth of “who you are”, because that is what you have to draw from. Technique means very little if you cannot find the truth deep within and I use my honesty towards myself in any performance, class or reading.

In your opinion, what sets you apart from other actors? How do you manage to “break through” in the NY market?

I’m still trying to “break through”. I have had success but lets not over-step my reality. I am still out there hustling with the rest and I get as equally frustrated as anybody. The fact I been on TV a few times and have a local name because of my various endeavors (online casting, teaching, charities, etc.) might give a heightened perspective but the truth is I’m still one of the many trying to “break through”.

My advice on the matter is to commit fully and to make sure that you enjoy the pursuit (even during the tough times). If you do not enjoy the pursuit then perhaps this industry is not fully for you.

There’s a lot of debate about whether actors should be doing “mailings”. In your opinion, should actors be constantly sending out headshots and postcards to agents and casting directors, or is that a waste of time and money?

Cold mailings mean less than the ever did, but its still part of what an actor should do. Online casting, industry meet-greets, showcases have all taken away from the impact of mass-mailing cold. What actors should do is follow-up every professional meeting/audition with a postcard to say thank you and also follow-up once you do have contact with industry, but the days of an industry pro opening up an envelope with an 8x10 by a struggling actor and getting excited by that has dwindled.

Should you mail still? Yes, but do not expect the same results as 5-10 years ago.

You’re not shy about promoting yourself and your work. What would you say to an actor who feels uncomfortable with self-promotion?

You mean like promoting www.JaggerKaye.com, www.ActorsFirstNY.com, www.AffordableActingClasses.com or www.AVeryJaggeredXMAS.com? Nah I would never feel shy.

But seriously when I take a meeting with a new actor who has issues with promoting themselves, I always say “acting is about taking risk, while remaining truthful” and any self-promotion should be the same. Once you become honest with yourself as an actor, it should be easier to promote yourself because who knows the “product” better than you?

There are a lot of actors out there planning to move to New York. In your opinion, what’s the best way to prepare for a move to NY?

This might be tough for me to answer because I was born and raised here, but I’d suggest google, research and be ready for the blunt honesty this city has to offer. I’d also be weary of anything that seems “too good” because scams are everywhere. I run a FREE NYC area casting group www.ActorsFirstNY.com where you can join and get a feel for the scene. There are also sites like yours www.ActorsLife.com and others like www.truonline.org that are very helpful and nurturing.

New York can be very intimidating… what’s the best way for a new actor to get started once they’ve arrived?

This can be the whole interview, but in short …

Classes: Meet any potential instructor. I take time to meet students I do not know in advance to discuss the class(es) and my approach. It is a two-way interview and the actor should feel comfortable with the instructor.
Industry: Before taking the steps to meet industry – make sure you are ready to. It’s your job as an actor to be ready and not the industry’s job to give second chances.

Networking: That is a huge part of NYC. Get to know other actors and “listen”. Find out what is going on in the city and who to trust.

In addition to your acting, writing, and directing, you also teach classes and have partnered with teachers to offer a wide range of classes such as “On-Camera Audition Intensive”, “Commercial Intensive”, “Comedic Acting”, and “Shakespeare for Beginners”. Why is it important for actors to continue training?

www.AffordableActingClasses.com has grown and I could not be more pleased. The relationship between the talent and I has really been a highlight of the past few years. My little “teaching umbrella” has grown where I have 2 teachers working with me to cover areas I do not feel I am suited to teach and beginning in January I will be rolling out a few Agents & CD’s that will be teaching for me as well.

Whether it’s through my offerings or any other talented instructor, actors need to continually be reading scripts, partnering and trying new things and where better than a class?

There’s no shortage of acting classes in New York. What should an actor be looking for in a class? How do I know what class is right for me?

Well outside of the obvious (what the class teaches), price, class size, hours and the teacher all should be bullet points. Also as stated above, make sure the instructor is someone you feel comfortable working with, just because a peer recommended him/her or he has a known student that does not mean he is a perfect fit for you. Weigh everything out and see which one will give you the biggest “bang for your buck”. I’ll put my bang for the buck against anybody but that does not mean I’ll be the perfect fit for you.

In my case go to www.AffordableActingClasses.com and read the testimonials, view the video accolades and go to the FAQ page and after that you will get an idea of what I offer. If you feel it is right for you, than contact me and we can meet. My blue-collar, working class style is not for everyone and I accept that and so should any potential instructor.

You’ve worked with a lot of actors over the years. What are some of most common mistakes you see actors make as they build their careers?
Headshots that do not represent them, getting caught in scams, over-paying for a myriad of things (classes, headshots, etc.) are all common mistakes. Living in the NYC area is incredibly expensive and it kills me to see actors waste money.

You run the insanely popular “ActorsFirstNY” group at Yahoo, which lists auditions in the NY area. What motivated you to start that group, and what is unique about it? With so many casting sites now online, why do you think yours is so popular? (Also… how can people sign up for it?)

Yep ActorsFirstNY has come a long way and still growing at an INSANE rate. We have over 7,500 active members and it is exciting for sure.

I started the group after another similar group I helped moderate decided to go in a different direction and away from emailing notices. I always felt the ease of casting getting delivered in your inbox was one of the better ways to find out about castings. Since this group is run solely by someone who is out there and actually meeting and working with actors, it gives the group a sense of community. I get dozens of emails a day from members just saying “thank you” and that is so rewarding.

Its easy to sign up; you can go directly to www.ActorsFirstNY.com which will bring you to the yahoo groups page or just email; ActorsFirstNY-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign-up and receive 250-300 FREE casting notices a month plus info on classes, photographers, industry seminars and more that are geared for the beginner and intermediate NYC area talent!

The popularity and name recognition has to do with two things; its free and word of mouth, our word of mouth is amazing and I take great pride that someone on an audition line tells other actors about the group and recommend it and I guess we deliver because it gets bigger every day. One member recently said the group “Is the patron saint for NYC actors”, that made my year!

With your list and your teaching site www.affordableactingclasses.com , you’re doing an awful lot to help actors in this town. Why do you do it? What keeps you going?

Why the f not do it? Seriously I do not feel I am in competition with other teachers and/or casting entities. I just do what I do because I can. I take from the acting community so why not give some back. I offer free castings and could think of a way to charge but I do not see the need to. I offer affordable classes and could charge more but do not see the need to. If I don’t need to I won’t and I’ll have less regrets.

What did you think of this interview? Let us know!
feedback@actorslife.com