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Actor

Arts: Ron Destefano, New York, NY
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Do you want to be a Broadway Actor/

Do you have the personality and self-confidence to reach across the footlights and connect with the audience? Are you determined, fearless and ready to do whatever it takes for the chance to be on stage? On a VocationVacations® career mentorship with actor Ron DeStefano, he will share with you the excitement, challenges and rewards of his profession, and what it takes to become an actor.

“I come from a family of science and math professionals. My dad is a chemist and my mom a nurse,” shares Ron. He figured he was destined to follow in their footsteps and charted a path for a career in chemistry. But while his brain was leaning in this direction, his heart took another course.

Ron realized he had a talent and a passion for music and acting and began performing in high school plays and musicals. When it was time to go to college, Ron followed his brain and enrolled at Florida State University to pursue a degree in chemistry. But he also followed his heart in pursuing a second degree in vocal performance at the same time. After completing both degrees, it was decision time. Not ready to commit to a career in the arts, he decided to say “farewell” to performing with a final season of summer stock theatre before pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry.

“I had my own VocationVacations-type experience that summer of 1996,” remembers Ron. During that summer, he met a fellow actor who would become his mentor. “She told me I had a special gift, and it would be a shame if I didn’t share it with the world.” So, he decided to defer his acceptance to graduate school and pack his bags for New York City. According to Ron, once he arrived he got right to work on his new performing career and never looked back. “I didn’t give myself the opportunity to not do it.”

As they say, the rest is history. Ron soon got his first gig playing Bob Cratchit in a regional production of A Christmas Carol, and then was booked to join a six-month
European tour of the musical Evita. Since then, Ron has performed in Broadway National Tours and in regional theaters throughout the country in productions like Sweeney Todd; Fiddler on the Roof; No, No, Nanette and 42nd Street. He recently released his debut solo album entitled Where Is Love…, exploring the joys and challenges of romance through song...

What makes a good performer? “As an actor you need to be willing to reveal yourself and your humanity,” says Ron. “In most professions you try to hide the vulnerable or outrageous sides of your personality. What is a liability in most careers is an asset on stage.” Ron also stresses the importance of being confident and believing when one door shuts another will open. “You can’t take rejection personally. The casting of parts is very subjective, and you may never know the reasons you weren’t chosen.” But no matter what, Ron stresses, “Even after the hundredth chorus of ‘thanks, but no thanks,’ you need to have faith that everything is proceeding according to plan and trust in your ability.”

A valuable lesson Ron has learned over the years is to capitalize on what makes you different. “I first wanted to ‘fit in’ at auditions and be like everyone else, but then realized I needed to separate myself and build on what makes me special. Sometimes the things you were teased about in high school or college turn out to be the unique qualities that make you a successful actor,” says Ron. Maybe this is why some of his favorite roles are the underdogs, ‘nerds with hearts of gold’ and other multidimensional characters who go through a transformation on stage.

Ron loves his career and is glad he followed his heart. But does he miss not working in the field of chemistry? “In my spare time I enjoy tutoring kids in science and math so I am able to still tap into my chemistry roots,” shares Ron. “I think my teaching ability is a natural outgrowth of my acting career, and both definitely involve elements of performance. The difference is in acting you are the one looking for approval when the audience applauds; in teaching you are the one giving the approval through grades!”

Here's what a recent Vocationer had to say about their experience with Ron:

“My mentor, Ron DeStefano, was fantastic. I couldn't believe how incredibly organized he was. I have to say, in all of my years of professional work, Ron is the kindest person I have ever met. He was so nurturing and caring I now realize there is more to life than what I'm currently engaged in, both personally and professionally. I felt my whole "Being" come alive during my experience. That was new for me.”
Sandy Ryan
Canmore, Alberta, Canada


While on your Actor VocationVacations® career mentorship with Ron DeStefano, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Attend daytime rehearsals of a musical currently in production to observe the inner workings of the creative process
  • Sit "behind the table" at an audition session to gain knowledge of current musical theatre audition techniques
  • Visit a musical theatre agency to learn more about professional show business networking and relationships
  • Meet one-on-one with a casting director to gain valuable knowledge about "type" and "cast-ability"
  • Work on vocal technique (appropriate for all levels) during a lesson with a professional Broadway voice teacher or vocal coach
  • Learn about audition monologue selection and performance with a Broadway acting coach
  • Develop body mechanics and dance skills (appropriate for all levels) in a Broadway theatre dance class
  • Visit the New York Library for Performing Arts at Lincoln Center for an in-depth look at character research and preparation
  • Learn about the "tools of the trade" (audition notices, photo/resumes, mailouts and updates) that all working actors utilize daily
  • Head backstage at a Broadway/Off-Broadway show for an exclusive tour (attending performance is optional, for additional fee)
The Actor VocationVacations® career mentorship with Ron DeStefano includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as an Actor
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post- VocationVacations career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job coming to reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: All year based on mentor's availability with exception of holidays

Price: $1199 Per Person

Book This Career Mentorship



Suggested Accommodations

Hilton Times Square

Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel - Midtown
(Not included in the price of your VocationVacations adventure)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® dream job holiday:

  • NYC & Company - New York City's Official Tourism Website for Tourists, Journalists, Travel Professionals, and Meeting Planners
  • I Love New York - The Official New York State Tourism Website
  • NY.com - The Paperless Guide to New York City
Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.