Advice, Acting, and Ambition: A Chit Chat with Barry Anderson

Photos by Jeffrey Mosier & Matt Madison-Clark

​Barry Anderson is an actor, singer, dancer, composer, host & long time client of The Price Group agency. 
Broadway credits include Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, and 30 Rock on NBC. Here we have The Price Group’s interview with Barry where he chats with us about his first big performance, when he decided to become an actor, and his biggest obstacles. 
​

• When did you decide you wanted to be an actor (and/or singer, dancer, etc.)? ​

It's something I talked about and wrote about and thought about as a young kid. Like, really young. Performing simply excited me. Whether it was something music-related or acting in skits and the school plays, escaping into creativity seemed to fuel me more than anything else. During my college years, I began to focus more on the specific career aspects of acting, and I decided to dive in fully as soon as I graduated. The professional journey for me began immediately with regional theatre jobs, followed by a non-union national tour, and then a permanent move to New York City. Twenty years later, I'm a proud member of both AEA and SAG-AFTRA with lots more experience under my belt. But, I feel as though I'm still learning daily about our business and the craft of what I do and myself as a creative. I'm still in class. I'm still getting to try new things and collaborate with more and more artists. And that's why I love the profession. 

• What has been your favorite show to do? Why?

Jersey Boys holds a HUGE place in my heart for many reasons. I loved playing Bob Crewe so much, and I was fortunate to do so for 6 years both on tour and on Broadway. Each performance (and I did nearly 2,000 of them) was uniquely exciting somehow, and I honestly never tired of being engulfed in those songs night after night. I never got bored. I think the show is so well-crafted, and there was something about the alchemy of musicians, actors and crew on that show that really felt like a family to me. I have lifelong friends because of Jersey Boys, and I'm forever grateful for the experiences it led to.

• How did your first performance go? Were you nervous?

My first performance in a "big" musical happened when I was 12. I was cast in a summer stock production of Peter Pan, playing one of the Lost Boys. The entire experience for me was thrilling. The rehearsals, the work, the audience reaction. Getting to play and pretend alongside adults was just so cool to me. The collaborative "we're all in this together"-ness of it all... I am sure I was nervous on opening night. But overall, what I remember is the excitement and not wanting it to end.

• What is your pre-show ritual?

It tends to change a bit depending on the role and what I need to do to warm-up. I generally try to grab a little time just by myself right before the curtain goes up. I like to focus and quiet my mind a bit beforehand and just "check in" with myself. During long runs, I can become quite habitual about the order of all the little things... water, bathroom, costume stuff. I've learned that I get along very well with routine. During Jersey Boys, I always had to have a Ricola in my mouth while heading to the stage to make my first entrance. Mostly unnecessary? Sure. Perhaps, I'm the SLIGHTEST bit superstitious... Who knows? 

• What inspires you?

Veteran performers doing what they love inspire me. I love seeing actors who have been around a long time and are still in the business, still creating, still working, still playing. The idea of someone like a Rita Moreno who, at 90, is on the call-sheet and showing up to set to work and collaborate, is utterly inspiring to me. 

• What has been your biggest obstacle or challenge in your career thus far?

The instability of our profession is one of the aspects that's hardest to deal with. I think the huge "pause" that happened during the Covid shutdown forced us all to reframe not only career goals and priorities, but also life in general. There are dry spells after shows close, or projects that take you out of town and away from home and loved ones. It's a huge sacrifice. But it is the nature of our business. Keeping busy during the slow times is important to me, whether that means creating my own work or taking a class or using the time to travel to see family. In the end, I really believe that obstacles are as big as we let them become. It all depends on our state of mind. 

• How has The Price Group specifically been helpful in your career thus far?

It's been greatly helpful to have Lisa and TPG on my side, not only when it comes to negotiating industry contracts and scheduling auditions, but also in terms of being actively aware of the trajectory of my career. Lisa will actively pick up the phone to get me "that" appointment I'm after, not all agents will do that or work that hard. Our working relationship goes back many years and I feel very comfortable communicating new professional goals and having TPG advise me on "next steps." I really appreciate how accessible Lisa and Andrew are to me, and I value our long relationship. 
​

• Any words of advice to people who would like to pursue a career in the performing arts?

Know that it is hard work. More often than not, it is not glamorous work. Know your type. Know that you have qualities that NO ONE ELSE has. And know what those qualities are. The sky really can be the limit, but it all depends on your mindset and approach to the business. Take risks, say yes, and get as much experience as possible. We learn by doing. And hopefully, we never stop DOING. ​
​