MEET: Brian Faherty
BRIAN FAHERTY is an NYC-based actor, primarily focused on camera acting. (YouTube)
CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION (CAC): What brought you to NYC, and where did you come from?
BRIAN FAHERTY (BF): I am originally from the Boston area. I moved here in 1998. My rationale was twofold. At the time, I took on a job with Accenture, fka Andersen Consulting. But the lure of the acting profession was also part of my decision.
CAC: Do you call yourself a Catholic artist?
BF: I do, and the irony therein is I often play bad guys! But I’m always seeking to wrestle with why they became what they are, what are the positive traits that may lie within, and how an audience can grow by seeing the bad choices and experiences of that character.
Being a Catholic artist is a vocation, a calling. But you don’t need to hide from your true self amidst the baser elements of the industry. Ideally, the bulk of your work serves a greater purpose for humanity, even when driven by secular producers, writers, and directors.
CAC: Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?
BF: Largely through Catholic friends that are also actors. Knowing that they watch my appearances gives me gratification as I know others are supportive of me as we go through this shared and challenging journey.
CAC: Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?
BF: As a graduate of Marquette University, our local NYC Alumni Chapter has afforded me many opportunities to meet like minded Catholic artists. And through them, I have been connected to other Catholic artists not affiliated with Marquette.
CAC: How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
BF: In particular parts of the city, I believe there are already groups at churches focused on artists. That is great, and where there are other neighborhoods with a high density of actors further creation of groups should be encouraged. For young adults groups at churches that do not have a higher ratio of artists, it would be helpful to include communications of when members have shows. This can also be done via alumni groups of Catholic colleges and universities. Finally, to the extent it is possible, it would be great for churches to offer low cost or free space for Catholic artists that need low cost or free rehearsal space.
CAC: How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?
BF: Openness, both to the quality of the work itself by faith based artists and the profitability of faith based productions. I think there are more interesting, marketable stories than the largely secular entertainment world believes there are.
CAC: Which parish do you attend in NYC? Do you participate in any church groups you would recommend to others?
BF: I go to St. Ignatius of Loyola, though now I am too old for the Young Adult Group! I also enjoy spiritual events sponsored by the Marquette Club mentioned earlier.
CAC: Where in NYC do you regularly find artistic fulfillment?
BF: My own auditions and gigs certainly serve this purpose. I try to go to Broadway when I can, and check out the movies that interest me.
CAC: What is your daily spiritual practice?
BF: I find a lot of spirituality through being in parks and near rivers in Manhattan. Finding places of nature and solitude in the city.
CAC: What is your daily artistic practice?
BF: Nothing daily per se, but a casting director once told a class I was in that “you need to do something for your career every day.” So I always try and remember it and know that if I did something as small as practiced a short scene, I did do something!
CAC: Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist.
BF: I worked on Ray Donovan a few months ago. It was a challenging scene and that really inspired me. Being around all the other artists on a production from cinematographer to grip to makeup artist and beyond really gives me the experience of a total team effort.
CAC: You actually live in NYC? How!?
BF: I live alone but find the Upper East is more affordable than people often think. Once you get East of Lexington and into the 80’s and 90’s, it’s better than a lot of other neighborhoods for price. And we have the Q, which provides such better access to auditions on the West Side than we used to have.
CAC: But seriously, how do you make a living in NYC?
BF: I also have a day job, still with Accenture! Very fortunate, as corporate America and the artistic world cannot often coexist as dual careers.
CAC: What other practical resources would you recommend to a Catholic artist living in NYC?
BF: Take a finance or accounting class in college if you can or maybe at a community center before moving here. Use all the free things (especially in summer!) to make sure you are not starving yourself of a good time. Make a list of all discounted stores, including Salvation Army for audition clothes. Keep all your receipts for artist related expenses so you have a nice tax refund.
Definitely get a gym membership, to look fit for your auditions and also to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Go to parks often, whatever is nearest to you. Read constantly, as this is a helpful way to keep your creative juices flowing. (Hence get a B&N membership card.)
CAC: What are your top 3 pieces of advice for Catholic artists moving to NYC?
BF: Find a support group. Know who you are as a person and let that dignity, integrity, and awareness contribute to every character you audition for and ultimately play. Don’t become cynical!
