Investing in Your Greatest Role- Yourself

Practical Tips for Working Actors

Acting is often described as the art of living truthfully under imaginary circumstances…

But to live truthfully on stage or screen, an actor must first live deeply in the real world. The best performers are not simply technicians of emotion—they are observers, empathizers, and explorers of life in all its complexity. Becoming a more well-rounded actor begins with becoming a more well-rounded person.

Our blog this month will focus on the importance of being a well-rounded actor- more specifically, the importance of investing in yourself!

"I just wanted to be an actor. (But) It's better to be well rounded"

-Morgan Freeman

Let’s say it: things in film and television are slow. There are less auditions, less bookings, and more time on our hands. This can feel incredibly daunting for an actor and can cause our hopes to spiral.

Never fear, for The Actor’s Scene is here! We’ve got the answers to keep you motivated and feeling confident. Let’s start with Training:

We’ll start by getting the obvious out of the way. As actors it’s always best to stay ready, which means staying in training and continuing to educate yourself in your downtime. Good acting training should do several things:

Acting training exposes you to new skills. A professional actor should be able to build diverse and believable characters with a proficiency in emotional range and expression.
Acting training should prepare you for auditions. It’s a safe place to learn and grow in what is expected so that when opportunities come your way you feel confident and knowledgeable to meet them head on.
Acting training should prepare you to work on set. Everyone starts somewhere, and a good coach makes sure that their students know what to expect in the industry.
Finally, acting training should foster community by helping you connect with other actors and filmmakers that you will encounter in the industry.

These are just a few of the obvious benefits of an acting class.

The Actor’s Scene has you covered with options for group or private learning. Use your time to dive deeper into knowledge about the industry and to sharpen your acting skills.

Beyond that, it’s up to you to become a more well-rounded person and take care of yourself. For that we suggest opening yourself up to other things in life!

Not sure where to start? Read on for tips and to hear from our coaches.

Healthy mindsets for working actors:

1. Seek Experiences Beyond the Script

It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of rehearsals, auditions, and classes, but life itself is your greatest teacher. Every role you play draws on your lived experience—your joys, heartbreaks, and curiosities. Travel if you can. Volunteer. Learn a trade. Talk to strangers. Try something that scares you. The more worlds you’ve walked through, the more truth you’ll have to bring to your characters.

As the saying goes: You can’t play what you don’t understand. The more you understand of people, places, and passions, the richer your work becomes.

2. Cultivate Curiosity, Not Judgment

An actor’s greatest tool is empathy—the ability to step into another person’s shoes and see the world through their eyes. That means being endlessly curious about human behavior. Instead of judging others, ask: What might drive them to feel or act this way? When you train yourself to approach others with compassion instead of criticism, your characters will reflect that same depth.

Read widely, watch documentaries, listen to people’s stories. Curiosity expands your imagination far beyond your own circumstances.

3. Strengthen the Mind, Body, and Spirit

A well-rounded actor doesn’t just feed their craft—they feed their whole being. Physical health sustains your energy; mental balance sustains your focus; emotional resilience sustains your heart. Meditation, journaling, or mindful breathing can center you between auditions. Movement—whether dance, yoga, or simple walks—keeps your body open and responsive.

4. Build Real Relationships

Acting is often thought of as a solo pursuit—your talent, your audition, your spotlight. But the most fulfilling artists recognize that collaboration is the soul of storytelling. Be the kind of actor who listens, supports, and uplifts others. A generous scene partner is remembered long after the curtain falls.

Outside the industry, too, build a life rich with genuine connections. The friendships, mentors, and communities you nurture will keep you human when the business feels inhuman.

5. Remember: You Are More Than Your Roles

Many actors measure their worth by their latest project or the praise they receive. But your identity isn’t confined to the parts you play. You are a person first—complex, imperfect, and evolving. When you honor that, your performances gain honesty and depth.

Art imitates life, but it also requires a life worth imitating. Be curious. Be kind. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep living boldly offstage. Because the more whole you become as a person, the more extraordinary you’ll become as an artist.

It’s time to hear from our coaches. Yes, they are professional working actors, but they are so much more! And we encourage our coaches, as well as our students to invest in themselves and their interests. Let’s hear what they have to say.

“I’m an actor, but I’m also…

Let’s start with Leah Merritt, who not only coaches with us and is our incredible Office Manager…

Coach Molly Pass has also taken her passions outside of acting to create something bigger:

Sometimes what we find outside of acting is just everyday activities that bring us joy. Like me, Coach Kirsten Krehbiel:

Or Coach Sam Salary who finds joy in music:

Or check out what Coach Nyah Bass loves to do outside of acting:

Or Coach Linda Meadows:

Other times, what we do outside of acting can be found in adventures. Check out what happened when Coach Jeanne Morales followed her passion:

Or see where Coach Madison Stuckey has found herself:

And sometimes it comes out in a more crafty way like Coach Maddie Compton:

Ready to get started? Reach out today!

TASFRONTDESK@GMAIL.COM

770-904-6646

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About The Author

Kirsten Krehbiel

Kirsten Krehbiel is an Atlanta based actress, director, and writer who enjoys bringing people new truths through the art of storytelling. She has a love of acting both on camera and on stage, having been lucky enough to be a part of incredible productions in both worlds. Kirsten joined the TAS team in 2020 as a coach, a job she loves because it lets her watch first hand as students grow and gain self confidence as actors. When she is not creating or coaching, you can find Kirsten hanging out with her grumpy cat on their back porch.

Investing in Your Greatest Role- Yourself