Acting Advice From 'Schitt's Creek' Star Dan Levy

Alongside co-stars Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy (his father and co-creator), and Annie Murphy, Dan Levy says he likes to run his “Schitt’s Creek” set by having everyone check their ego at the door. “That freedom, that level playing field, is where you get the best work out of your actors.” Now airing its fifth season on Pop TV, the acclaimed single-cam sitcom has made Levy one of television’s most exciting new voices.

Levy recently came by Backstage HQ to tease his secrets to the trade of creating your own work and hare plenty of tips that can help actors make the most out of their careers, especially in the early stages.

Breakdown:

How did you find your voice as a writer and performer? 0:08
What do you look for in the audition room? 0:45
How do you get over audition nerves? 1:18
How do you push through career lulls as an actor? 1:50
What's one piece of advice you'd give your younger self? 2:52
What he learned from working with his dad, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O'Hara: 3:52

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Special Thanks:

Host: Benjamin Lindsay
Editing: Jenn Tsouras-Shadd
Editor in Chief: Rawaan Alkhatib
Social Media Manager: Francis Ramos

[suzymck]

To audition must be stressfully but Dan Levy guides that opportunity to reach into one's self and make the role theirs. Ego left at door, have confidence to reach outside their comfort zone. Daniel just has personality oozing out his pores, and with his creative abilities and witt, he's a treasure. He brings out the best in actors including himself. I'm quite old but as long as I can, I'll follow Dan.

[KatElizabeth]

This is absolute gold. Love his attitude, love his advice. Thank you for sharing this fantastic interview

[kitkatgolden]

Articulate, dignified man.. delight to listen to him talk. 👌🏻

[rivkafl]

Great interview, Dan gave some really good advice

[angescastings]

Dan has wonderful insight on the Casting Director's perspective on the audition experience for the actor with some great recommendations.

[Beastiadidio]

Love this show, so much fun going through these characters.

[laceym]

It truly takes unfaltering tenacity and the "right fit" to land a job. Not an actor, but it took 10 years of interviewing every year until I got my dream job. Stick with it. The work is worth it.

[AddictedToGoodMusicx]

"The joke is not at someone's expense, but rather the sheer absurdity of the circumstance" I don't understand this phrase. In Schitt's Creek, there are many jokes about the characters, and many scenes in which the characters make fun of each other or are being made fun of. How are those jokes not at the expense of someone else? Can someone please explain

[TomCatFromMA]

Writing advice: Don't end sentences with words like "so..." or "but..." etc.