A morning with award-winning actor Eric McCormack at the TMU School of Performance
Acting professor Lisa Cox (top row, extreme left) led the discussion as Eric McCormack (seated in the middle) shared his experiences and insights on acting for theatre, television shows and movies.
On a Friday morning in February, Emmy-award winning actor Eric McCormack paid a visit to second-year TMU students in a School of Performance acting class. They spent the next hour talking about everything from finding their passion for performing, learning different acting styles, and stories of working in the entertainment industry.
Facilitated by acting professor Lisa Cox, the conversation helped students gain perspective on building a successful career in acting. McCormack, who starred in the long-running sitcom Will & Grace, shared what it’s like to travel the country doing theatre shows, auditioning for career-defining roles, working with Hollywood veterans on movie sets, and finding balance between his personal and professional life.
McCormack described to students his own experience at the TMU School of Performance (then Ryerson Theatre School), which he attended from 1982 to 1985. Reflecting on that time, he shared how “back then, there was one way to do things, the right way. As opposed to now when the focus is on developing who you are [as an actor]. I think that’s a great change.”
He went on to start an apprenticeship with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 1985 and talked about doing regional theatre during the winter months in his early career, travelling to places in New Brunswick, Winnipeg and Edmonton. “It gave me the opportunity to see the country theatrically. It was such a great way to feel like a Canadian actor, and not just a Toronto actor,” he said.
McCormack shared how transitioning to acting for television shows and films took a whole new skill set and advised students to learn how to adapt their acting skills during their time at TMU. He also stressed the importance of focusing on the script, knowing how your character fits into the broader story, and working in tandem with your fellow actors.
McCormack answered questions from students about separating yourself from your character, taking care of your mind and body while travelling for work, and fond memories from his time on the television series Will & Grace. Recalling the day Debra Messing successfully auditioned for the role of Grace, McCormack said that his wish for TMU students “is to have that moment when you sense everyone in the room thinking ‘yep, this is it, this is the one.’ That’s the best.”
After the conversation with students, dean of The Creative School and professor of media production Charles Falzon (right) gave McCormack a tour of the theatre on campus.
