From a real hospital to a TV hospital

Now she plays one--on TV

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

June 4, 2007

Joselin Reyes. (Photo by Shawn Threadgill / June 4, 2007)

The Big Career Switch: From hospital social worker to entertainer

Who Pulled It Off: Joselin Reyes, 34

What She Does: Reyes is a stage and screen actor. She plays Paramedic Martinez on "Law & Order SVU," is a memberof Philip Seymour Hoffman's Labyrinth Theater Company, and dances with the LSNY troupe at weddings, bar mitzvahs and corporate parties.

What She Used to Do: Reyes was a pediatric social worker at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

Why She Switched: "Social work is very rewarding, and I loved working with children," she says. "But it was also draining emotionally, with too much red tape. I felt I had given all I could to the job. I'd always been the kid who sang and danced, and that passion to perform was still in me."

How She Did It: "My twin sister Judy Reyes, who plays Nurse Carla on 'Scrubs,' encouraged me to pursue acting and helped me get a part in a play," Reyes recalls. "I got an agent and more roles. I went part-time as a social worker and finally quit the job."

What Entertainers Do: "You are the product and the package, and you have to promote yourself constantly," says Reyes. "You have to be there for auditions, callbacks, rehearsals, readings, performances and shoots. You stay in close touch with your agent. You go to acting, dancing, voice and fitness classes." She adds, "Many entertainers supplement their incomes with actor-slash-waiter kinds of jobs. I do personal training."

Who Does This Job Best: "You must be fiercely committed and believe in yourself," says Reyes. "There's a lot of rejection in show business, but you have to keep going."

How's the Money?: "Bookings don't flow in at first," she says. "You need good money management to make it through the struggling-actor stage. But when you start getting parts you can make anywhere from 50K a year to major bucks."

What About Perks?: "Every day is different and interesting," says Reyes. "You meet creative, gifted people and challenge yourself to do your best. And it feels wonderful to be the master of your destiny."

What Else You Should Know: "An actor should never be confused with their character," she says. "I worked on several episodes of 'The Sopranos,' and James Gandolfini is just a regular, hardworking, nice guy."

Where to Find Out More: www.labtheater.org