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Whether you look up interviews of your favorite actor, read a memoir or acting technique book, or have a session with a trusted private coach, the value of learning from someone else’s experiences can’t be overstated. Who is an actor whose career you really admire? What can you learn from the stories and advice they’ve already publicly shared? Is there an acting book already on your shelf that you just haven’t picked up yet? If you’d like to chat with an industry professional in real-time and get specific feedback on where you are and where you’d like to be, you can get set up with a TAS coach by checking out our Career Coaching options HERE. A private coach is going to be able to help you set goals, create a plan to get there, and hold you accountable for your next steps! Just like that age-old proverb that you should never be the smartest person in the room, you really shouldn’t be the most experienced person in your acting circle. Mentorship in multiple forms, both in-person and virtually, is so important for your craft. So make sure that you are learning from those around you as well as from professionals in your field. Private coaching, classes, networking events, or even doing free research on the internet is a good way to start!

FLEXIBILITY is the last factor, and possibly the most important! Whether we’re talking about the experience of doing a self tape, being on set, or just tackling day-to-day life that’s not acting related, flexibility is a skill that we definitely need to cultivate!

What does it mean to be flexible? Well, I think that means that we aren’t set in our ways! Whether that’s in how we tackle problems at work or school, how we communicate, or the way that we have rehearsed a performance piece, it’s important to be adaptable. 

Coach Rick talks about a previous time when being flexible from his improv training helped him land a big gig:

“When I auditioned for “Prisoners,” the casting agent (this was back when auditions were in person) had seen me earlier for a different role and called me back.  She said ‘I haven’t received the breakdown for this character yet, but I know it’s coming and I think you would be great.  Since I don’t have sides yet, can we improvise a scene on camera?’  I said ‘sure!’  Not only did I book the role but the director liked what I did and the day of filming he had me improvise the scene (with Jake Gyllenhaal).”

How awesome! Rick could have easily felt a little uncomfortable/not super confident and declined the audition, missing out on a really cool opportunity. But instead, he trusted in his abilities and his training, and it all worked out in his favor! I think it’s also important to note that there are times where you’ll even be improvising on set, depending on the project!

Often, we are our own worst critics as artists. This can sometimes get in the way of our goal- setting process, since we don’t always believe that we have what it takes to achieve our goals. That’s why the SMART goal creation method is so important. When deciding what you want to work on, understand that you have what you need to succeed! Acting is all about making informed choices and performing those choices to the best of our abilities. So, believe that you can do it, and try to push yourself out of your comfort zone so that you can find all of the excitement and adventure that lies on the other side!

 When I was a child, I was PAINFULLY shy. I mean, I couldn’t order at a restaurant by myself. I barely made eye contact with strangers. And new environments, especially crowded ones, made me super nervous. The first time I sang in front of a group of people, I actually ran out of the room crying! Despite my shyness, I knew from the moment that I was a little tot (probably about 2 or so) that I desperately wanted to be an actor. I just needed some help coming out of my shell, and developing the confidence necessary to work and thrive in the industry! Thankfully, when I was seven years old, I started taking classes at The Actor’s Scene, and I found my first mentor: Coach Aimee Peters.

Coach Aimee worked with me and my mom to help me develop public speaking skills, learn how to think quickly and creatively on my feet, and grow the confidence in myself that I needed to start actually pursuing my dream of becoming an actor. She did this simply by showing up for me in our weekly private lessons! We used our time together to talk about and solidify my goals, and made small steps weekly towards them. We leveled up my tangible industry tools like my online profiles, had question and answer times for the things I was wondering about the industry and the art of acting, and worked on different techniques to improve my performance skills. Lessons with her were the first time that I felt like I could actually accomplish my dreams of performing in front of others and bringing characters to life. I will forever be grateful to her for taking that time to invest in me, both personally and professionally, because without it, I absolutely wouldn’t be where I am (or who I am) today!