Ego vs Discipline: What Broadway Taught John Clay III About Acting Careers
From The Actor's Instrument: Tools for the Long Game with Hassiem Muhammad by Hassiem
February 17, 2026 · 37 min · Season 5 · Episode 7
About this episode
John Clay III discusses the balance of ego and discipline in acting careers, drawing insights from his Broadway experience.
Broadway actor John Clay III joins Hassiem Muhammad to talk about performing Ragtime at Lincoln Center Theater, the mindset required of an understudy, and how actors manage ego while competing professionally. They discuss discipline, faith, marriage, endurance, and why a sustainable acting career depends on building a full life outside the industry. This episode is about playing the long game — becoming the artist who can sustain the opportunity once it arrives. 🎵Theme Music: Elijah by Isaac Fox 🎭 Follow John Clay III: @johnclayiii 🎙 Follow The Actor’s Instrument: @actorsinstrumentpodcast 🎧 Follow Hassiem: @HassiemMuhammad 🎧 Produced in partnership with Next Chapter PodcastsSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit:https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument 📩 Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com #ActingPodcast #BroadwayActor #ActingCareer #ActorsLife #ActingAdvice #MusicalTheatre #TheActorsInstrument #HassiemMuhammad #JohnClayIII #Ragtime #LincolnCenterTheater #ActingCraft #Understudy #ActorMindset
People in this episode
Host: Hassiem Muhammad
Guest: John Clay III
Topics covered
- acting careers
- Broadway
- discipline
- ego management
- sustainable acting
- understudy mindset
Keywords
- acting
- Broadway
- ego
- discipline
- sustainable career
- understudy
- Ragtime
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Lincoln Center Theater, Next Chapter Podcasts
Books & works: Ragtime
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