Connie Clausen on how she became a TV star | TV Guide Chicago, May 1-7 1953

 

IF you can support yourself in New York for a year.

If you are willing to make rounds of the casting offices each day from 9 to 5 just as if you were in business . .

If you are ambitious enough to attend dramatic school regularly. .

And if you feel you have a bit of luck riding on your shoulder ...

Then by all means take a shot at realizing your dream to be a TV star. Connie Clausen did.

She's an up-and-coming TV actress and knows how hard it is to struggle for 10 months before getting a bit part in a drama. Connie arrived in New York with some Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus experience and some Hollywood bit parts behind her. Luckily, she was signed as an assistant emcee on Live Like a Millionaire on her irst day in Manhattan. That took care of the problem of eating.

She then found it necessary to apply for auditions at various casting offices and learned she had to memorize lines and do a dramatic scene.

After that, she made casting office rounds daily, finding out that she had to look her best at all times. For Connie, it meant having her hair set and nails manicured every week.

She found that, when called, it was advisable to dress for the particular role being cast.

She learned schooling was essential, still attends classes every week at the Group Theater.

And now with star billing on Hollywood Screen Test and Tales of Tomorrow behind her, she looks hopefully to the future.