My acting seed was planted at the young age of however old one is in preschool, when I appeared as Fred the Dog in the class production of some play about a clock. I knew then, immediately, that my life goal was to be a performer and I vowed to act at every opportunity. I was the lead in the elementary school production of Pinocchio, and I played Nana in Peter Pan (for which I was MERCIOUSLY teased, but I seriously killed it in that role). Around 1990, my sister and I co-produced our own indie movie, "Zelda and the Fiery Furnace" (basically, Zelda steals the protagonist's wallet and then throws it into the fiery furnace aka fireplace--what a jerk!). My Freshman year of high school, I joined the Thespian Club and worked up the ranks from Treasurer to finally President. Despite this feat and appearing in many excellent productions including The Bald Soprano and Sorry Wrong Number, I failed to receive the award of "Most Dramatic" my senior year, a slight for which I'm definitely not still bitter.
Becky in her breakout role. I designed my own costume (ie sign) and I vividly remember not being sure how many legs dogs have, so I gave him some extra, just to be sure.
Just like Annette Bening, I majored in Theater Arts at SFSU, but unlike Annette Bening, I decided to switch to the Humanities Department after I'd taken as many performance courses as possible (including Brown Bag, yay!). I spent the rest of my matriculation reading books and watching movies, and then writing essays about how the books and movies related to society. I wrote my senior thesis comparing Berkeley's People's Park Riots to Logan's Run. I got a B.
About a year after I graduated from college, I began working for UCSF and Stanford as a Standardized Patient. I STILL HAVE THIS JOB AND I LOVE IT! (note: please interpret the caps as intensity, not volume -ed) I feel #blessed that I have a skilled acting job that also benefits the health community. I also had several real-life acting roles, including "Brand Ambassador" (do not call me a Booth Babe--ask me why!), "Catholic School Substitute Teacher," and "Interchangeable Office Temp." My schedule was flexible enough for me to continue working as a background actor and auditioning for whatever indie project I'd find on Craigslist. My friends asked me to be in their TV show (which is absolutely brilliant and AGES before its time). I took classes at the SF Acting Academy and BATS. I felt myself thrive.
Becky as the Waitress on the set of Rent.
You can see me in the La Vie Boheme scene!
Becky as SP Cover Model for UCSF's Alumni Magazine
Eventually, though, the allure of health insurance became too great and I accepted the full-time role of "Switchboard Operator." Though my blog thrived, I was very unhappy. I missed being an Actor, as opposed to of Someone Who Used to Act. Yes, the doctor appointments were grand, but Business Becky felt smothered. In a timely stroke of luck, the Great Recession freed me from my corporate shackles, and allowed me to keep my healthcare for the next 18 months!
I immediately plunged back into my actor lifestyle. Space Wasters production even resumed! After collecting rejection letters from local talent agencies for the past 8 years, I finally got representation! I took two cinema classes at CCSF and made some excellent shorts!
I wasn't landing enough acting work to my liking, though, and I knew the best solution to my problem was to take more classes. But, if you recall, at this point in the story I'm living off Unemployment supplemented by an occasional acting gig. I didn't feel right spending a considerable portion of my income on acting classes, so I decided I would hone my craft the old fashioned way: live theater.
Becky Hirschfeld as Yeoman Janice Rand in
The Dark Room's Star Trek Live: The Way to Eden
I hadn't been in a play in about eight years. My first gig back was a dinner theater production in Marin of two Twilight Zone episodes. My second gig was an original sci-fi comedy at the Dark Room Theater, in the heart of the Mission. I learned that they regularly stage parodies of classic movies and TV shows--including a yearly Twilight Zone series! I began asking to be cast in upcoming plays. People began asking me to be in their plays and other projects. Since then, I've acted in dozens of shows, directed a handful of productions, and made about a bajillion friends. My return to the stage succeeded in the intended goal of improving my acting skills, but it also had a surprise bonus of improving my life skills. :3
At this point, I was working part-time in a musem so I could once again participate in the great American tradition of health insurance. While I was landing more and more on-camera work than I ever have before, I still had to turn down countless auditions because they clashed with my work schedule.
Becky and some pals
Becky on set for a BioRad industrial
But then... then... the glorious Affordable Care Act saved it all!! I could finally pursue performance FULL TIME!!!!! Yes, because of Obamacare, I quit my day job and focused on acting and modeling full time. I have literally succeeded in my dream of only working within my specific field. It feels pretty good. And it keeps getting better! For example, I had an audition with Danny Boyle while he was casting that Steve Jobs movie, and he said I take direction well. I mean, I didn't get the role, but I count that as a victory. Stay tuned for more.