We recently connected with Linda Colonna and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Linda, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Definitely got my work ethic from my parents
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a talent manager in the entertainment industry, my greatest reward is watching my clients succeed. Whether I’m guiding established artists or mentoring those just beginning their journey, helping them grow is the most fulfilling part of this business. My own connection to the industry runs deep—I spent much of my young adult life in NYC attending classes and auditions, learning firsthand the challenges of waiting in long lines and hoping to be noticed. That experience shaped my belief that it’s my responsibility as a Talent Manager to ensure my clients and their artistry are seen by the right professionals. Over the years, I’ve expanded my work as a choreographer, teaching artist, and mentor to actors seeking representation, but my entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led me to what I love most today—Talent Management.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Relationship Building & Networking
2. Industry Knowledge & Business Savvy
3. Strategic Vision & Advocacy
Talent managers must see the bigger picture of an artist’s career, identifying long-term opportunities while also handling day-to-day decisions. This includes career planning, branding, and positioning clients for the right roles or partnerships, while also being a strong advocate for their interests.
Advice:
My advice is to always show up with professionalism. Your reputation follows you in this business, and how you carry yourself can make as much of an impact as your talent. The actors who work consistently are often the ones who treat every opportunity, big or small, with the same level of respect and commitment. Keep working on your craft and put yourself out there through networking so decision-makers know who you are and what you bring to the table. A lot of casting happens behind the scenes, even before a breakdown is posted. You want to be that person they think of first—someone whose name is circulating as talented, professional and reliable. I have a client who consistently gets call backs for future projects by directors not only because of his talent, but because he’s also kind, professional, and dependable.”
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I am looking to connect with industry professionals who are open to partnering and collaborating, with the goal of creating more opportunities that will support my clients in building successful careers.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.mctalentconsultants.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcolonna/
