A TRUE SIDEMAN- CHANGE IS GOOD

Sometimes in life you have to stir the pot to keep the excitement alive. Since I last posted anything here, I have finally begun to embrace change. For years, my closest friends have told me that I needed to get a different agent, a better manager, or basically just a better team to help me get my foot in the door. I entertained those comments with polite obligation, all the while maintaining my loyalty to the agency that gave me a break to begin with, hoping that something would happen. My hopes were raised to new heights after the HOUSE booking, but nothing really came of that progress all spring. Once I realized for myself that a change was needed, I set a date to walk, regardless of whether or not something else was lined up, and I did. Honestly, it felt amazing. I have the whole world ahead of me and the freedom to meet with whoever I want to truly discover the best team to help me break into this business in a real way. Although I have had some near signings with a couple big agencies, the cards haven't fallen into place yet. I am not discouraged though because in the meantime, my work as a performer has grown leaps and bounds through the constant work with Ivana Chubbuck. In fact, because of the toolset I have been acquiring and fine-tuning with her help, I took on the lead role of Clifford Glimmer this summer in the Tony-Award winning Warren Leight play, SIDEMAN. This amazing and eloquently written piece takes the audience on a journey through the memory of Clifford Glimmer on the night before he leaves the dysfunction of his family behind to go pursue his own life, embracing his own, independent, manhood. The show has been a true test of growth in that I have numerous interactions with the audience through the form of monologues, which can be deadly for any actor if the relationship is not established between the actor and the audience. It is truly amazing how sometimes life imitates art, as to some degree I am having to move into the next phase of my life and embracing the changes that are involved with the progression. Granted, my relationship with my parents is a complete 180 from Clifford, but in becoming my own man out here in Hollywood I have had to face the flames of change, challenge, religious opposition, and self-doubt head on and overcome them on my own. Like Clifford, no longer can a depend on my parents to protect me, provide for me, or plan for me.

My growth through the past year can best be described in the different stages of John Eldredge's The Way of the Wild Heart. Through each stage from Boyhood, to Beloved Son, to Cowboy, to Ranger, to Warrior, to Lover, and to King, I find myself truly growing into my own manhood, and away from the safe little world of innocent, naive, Anderson Reid Gormly. This progression will only serve to make my work as an actor stronger as I no longer approach the work from a place of weakness, but rather that of power. The experiences I have been through, the battles, the opportunities to perform, the challenges embraced, have aided me in becoming my own version of a True Sideman- A man that knows himself and his capabilities so well that he can swap in and out of numerous roles and stories and find the win in his objectives and ultimately being a jack-of-all-trades.

If you are in Los Angeles this weekend August 27, or 28th. Come check out the last two shows of SIDEMAN at the REP EAST PLAYHOUSE in Newhall-

NEW YEAR- NEW YOU- WHAT'S IN A NAME?

As I believe I may have noted in the last posting, after a five year stint of being "Anderson Reid" professionally, I am returning to just simply being "ME." The version of me that I have always been- "Reid Gormly." I don't for a second regret going by Anderson in my acting world for the last five years because I realize now that it was part of my journey that I needed to work through and discover that as an actor, the best I can do is just be myself, and not an idea of what I need to be to be successful. The most successful actors don't necessarily make a million dollars, although let's be honest- that would be amazing, but rather, they are the ones that are to put it simply, honest in their work.

By making this return to Reid, I must say that there is something truly freeing a

bout not trying to uphold the regal demeanor of ANDERSON. I am

eternally grateful to my parents for being so meticulous while naming me and for endowing me with such a rich family name in ANDERSON. It is a name to be proud of and one that

I do cherish and for the last five years, it has lea

d me on a journey of self-exploration and digging through all that I am. There have been highlights, as well as lowlights during the arc of this time, and as I move into a chapter of my life in which I am overwhelming content with who I am as a person, as an actor, and most importa

ntly, in Christ, I felt it time to close the chapter of my life that from here on out will be known as THE ANDERSON CHRONICLES.

So together, we step onto Hollywood Boulevard and back into the casting offices full of life, personality, humor, drama, emotion, love, style, and a renewed swagger as the one, the only, REID.

Bringing it All Home

WOW! Since my last posting so much has happened and I can hardly believe how everything begins to culminate and build on the things previous. I finally moved into the MASTER CLASS with Ivana Chubbuck because my previous coach, Ben Davis, who is a genius, wouldn't allow me to stay in the Advanced Class any longer. By working with the "Big Dogs" as I like to think of it, I have been so inspired to continue on in this endeavor, but ever more so importantly, I am encouraged to trust my own instincts all the more. Long gone are the days of allowing someone else inform me of how they see me as an actor and what I should be doing. I know myself the best, which is ultimately why over the Holiday break, while I was home in Atlantat, I decided to return to who I really am- and that is Reid Gormly. The Actor- Anderson Reid- was just that and actor- it was an idea- it was an attempt to fulfill a "requirement." But Reid is the person- he always has been and always will be. The timing of all these shifts is so particularly fitting because I returned to my original "House" in my name, I booked my first TV audition in over two years--I booked a co-star gig on HOUSE. And prove my point on everything building on something from before, I did a workshop in November with the Casting Director who remembered me and brought me in for the part, and on top of that three years ago, I worked some private catering gigs for an Executive Producer, who happens to now be on HOUSE. Now, he may or may not have gotten me the gig, but there is so much possibility in the world that he very well may have.

As I write this, I have just finished my day as Doctor #2 on one of the most anticipated episodes of the season. Hugh Laurie was such an amazing actor and generous man and I hope to one day work with him again. If anyone out there from HOUSE is reading this- that's you- Greg, Katie, Eli, Hugh, Marianne, Amy, Vince, Paul, Marla, Angela, Lisa, thanks for an amazing day---I will gladly be on "Lockdown" with you guys again anytime