To empower actors by providing them with essential information about the entertainment industry so that they will be better educated and better prepared to navigate this complex world as actors and as people.

If you want to be an actor, you want to "make it". Having been down this road ourselves, we want this site to help you redefine what "Making it" means, specifically for you. You can have 15 minutes or more than 15 years of work ahead of you. Some luck is required, but not a lot. We want to show you that a good deal of your getting work is in your control. This website can show you how.There is much about this industry that seems mysterious or out of reach. We created this site to help take the mystery out of it, to help you approach it as a business, in an organized way.An acting career can be thrilling, difficult, and always unpredictable. If you are ready for the ride, we'd love to help.

WHO WE ARE:

JOHN ESSAY has been a theatrical manager and producer for over 35 years. His company, Essay Management, represents actors, writers and directors in all areas of the entertainment industry - stage, film, television, and commercials. His clients have appeared on Broadway (ALADDIN, MAMMA MIA!, SHUFFLE ALONG, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE COLOR PURPLE, to name just a few); on television as series regulars, principal recurring roles and as Guest Stars (THE GOOD DOCTOR, FBI: MOST WANTED, UNDERGROUND, THE PATH, BLACKLIST, BLINDSPOT, BLUE BLOODS, BULL, HOMELAND, FRINGE, SCANDAL and many others); and in film (most recently the psychological thriller RUN). In addition to Essay Management, John is a part of Triumvirate Artists, a production company that has produced two Off-Broadway plays: POUND by Sean O�Leary (starring Christopher Lloyd), and Nicholas Korn�s comedy DELIRIUM�S DAUGHTERS.

John is indeed a self-made man: yearning to escape an unstable and unsettling home life, he was left to discover how to be a functioning adult on his own. John moved to Tucson to study acting at the University of Arizona and then in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Working at Macy's Herald Square as a waiter, John quickly rose in rank to restaurant manager, and was asked to help open Macy�s The Cellar Grill. It was there that he worked with many prominent people in the entertainment industry � through large events such as the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade � and learned the ins and outs of the entertainment business. John left Macy's in his early 20s to start a personal management company; at the time being the youngest Manager in the National Conference of Personal Managers. John learned the traditional business practices of being a personal manager but was intent on successfully running his business his own way!

John says:
"This site is a culmination of all that I have learned over 35 years as a personal manager. I believe success is a combination of applied knowledge, insightfulness, and the pursuit of our own happiness. That is what I am all about. Like many representatives and casting directors, I started out as an actor; I stumbled into managing at a very young age when I realized acting wasn't for me, but knew there was something in the entertainment industry that would fit me. My business savvy comes from years of making mistakes and learning from them. I also learned the importance of pursuing what we like to do that makes us happy. I feel it is important to give you a glimpse of my past to show you I was not handed opportunities, but instead made them for myself. When I started my business, I knew that being a manager would be a perfect fit for me: I have always had an affinity for organization, and I have always had diverse interests and a fascination with human behavior and how things work. This gave me insight into working with different people and their idiosyncrasies.

As an actor I only received training in the "craft" of acting ( technique, movement, speech, reading, etc.), but I never received any training that could help me understand the business and what I needed to do to move ahead as an actor. Where does operating your business come in? I mean, I needed answers, a plan, a direction and most important, I wanted to drive my own business train, not be at the mercy of some agent or manager. I started my business by teaching and empowering my clients to work together with me on specific goals to achieve work, and it did work. Now, after all these years, I feel truly qualified to teach the knowledge I have learned: the inner workings of this business, how to get out of your own way, how to empower yourself to generate your own work, and how to stay in charge and focused. I want to impart this knowledge to you in the hopes you will take it, understand it, and apply it sooner rather than later. I am sure you will find this a tremendous shortcut on the road to being a working actor. Now dive in, learn, follow your dream and build a successful business!"

BOB CURTISS always dreamed of becoming an actor and singer. Growing up in Massachusetts, he was in all of the plays and musicals throughout his school years at Happy Hollow School in Wayland Massachusetts, The Fenn School in Concord, and Wayland High School. He attended college at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and at the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Connecticut; he graduated with a BA in theatre.

Bob moved to New York City directly after college to pursue an acting career. Needless to say, there was no website like the one you are reading now, and after many years of struggle (and waiting on tables) and very little momentum or measurable success, he decided to go back to school to learn more about psychology, which was another of his interests, in order to become a psychotherapist.Bob received his MSW in 2000 from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, and worked as a psychotherapist in private practice in New York for the better part of a decade; many of his clients were actors and others in the creative fields.

While attending graduate school, Bob met John Essay, who is now his husband. Together they decided to write a book to help actors navigate the confusing paths of show business, with information provided by John about the business, and information from Bob about maintaining a healthy mental equilibrium while pursuing the acting business. Over the next ten years, the �book� became a website � TheActorsGuideToEverything.com � and their dreams of working together were realized. Bob gave up his psychotherapy practice and began working with John full time..

Bob and John live in New York City.

Bob says:
"I created 'Bob's Corner' as a way to talk about the many feelings and frustrations that you may experience as an actor, and to help you keep your emotional equilibrium in this business.

Before I was a psychotherapist (nearly a decade in private practice in New York), I spent many years struggling as an actor trying to break into the business without much success. I know what it felt like to have lots of acting training but no knowledge of how the business runs. I remember feeling scared, insecure, confident of my talent but self-conscious of my ignorance about the "business" of show biz. I felt envious of friends who managed to get jobs right out of college, and sometimes bitter when my "career" never happened. I also had wonderful experiences and met many friends along the way. I hope that by sharing some of my thoughts and experiences about keeping sane in this confusing world, I will be able to help some of you as you pursue your goals."

BANDIT AND BAXTER THE PUGS

John and Bob's newest members of their family are Bandit and Baxter, two brthers from the same liter born 6/3/2021. Bandit has a bigger black "mask" (hence his name), and Baxter has a smaller mask and smoother fur. They bring fun and joy to Essay Management!

DAISY AND MURRAY THE PUGS

Daisy 5/30/2002 � 11/30/2015

Murray 5/20/2002 � 11/15/2018

PUG PICKS is named in honor of John and Bob�s beloved pug dogs Daisy and Murray who served as the �mascots� of Essay Management. They both were born in 2002; related only by love, Murray was ten days older but Daisy was bigger. Daisy was our alpha dog and had a tongue that was always out, and Murray frequently had a concerned expression; he was more of a snuggler. Daisy�s interests included: sniffing all of the smells out of the air, running, exploring, licking, and food. Murray enjoyed romping, cuddling, and lap sitting. Oh, and food..

Daisy and Murray added great comfort and joy to everyone who ever met them.