I've written in many a post about how I've been enrolled in acting classes for roughly the past year, and how initially I began taking them to help me with my anxiety. I was feeling lost in my direction in life after getting rejected from every PhD program I applied to, and I needed to do something with my free time so I wasn't drowning in negative thoughts. That's when I did research on acting classes and found a studio not too far from home, and audited a class that following week.
Since then, I've been having an absolute blast in these classes. Acting is very difficult, and requires a lot of mental and emotional work to get you into the mind and body of the character—but once you're up there performing, feeling the truth of the circumstances come to life—the feeling is thrilling. I wanted to share more specifically the useful tips I've learned in these classes that we can apply to our daily lives; I find that these have helped me feel more confident in myself and my abilities, bond better with new friends, and help me connect with myself more truthfully.
1. It is OK to be seen
As someone who has avoided attention for the majority of my existence, having someone acknowledge me and notice what I'm saying or doing has always made me want to run and hide. With these classes, I'm forced front and center—quite literally. I have to allow my classmates or the audience to see the variety of my facial expressions, my body moving in unnatural or awkward ways, and raise my voice louder than I'm comfortable with. It's allowed me to see that the worst thing about being seen...is simply me being uncomfortable. That's it. The world keeps turning, the walls of the studio haven't collapsed—I'm perfectly safe.
Going forward, I feel better about having the spotlight on me and having to put myself out there. I no longer feel this sense of dread and wanting to hide until people forget about me; I'm proud of the work I've done in these classes and the confidence they've given me. Performing has really launched myself out of my comfort zone, and I highly recommend to anyone who's like me in the fear department to give it a shot. The worst thing really is that you'll be uncomfortable.
2. Being present gets you out of yourself and into how those around you are feeling
It's easy for us to get trapped in our own thoughts and create mental catastrophes when we're feeling overwhelmed. Trust me, I know the feeling all too well. But what these classes have helped with is making me focus on the other person in my scene and really focus on what they want and how they feel. This is turn has helped me stay present and focused with whoever I'm with so I really listen, understand, and see where they're coming from. I feel more connected, empathetic, and truthful in my responses to what that friend is telling me.
Just another reminder to get out of yourself and into the presence of others.
3. My feelings are valid and ok to express
Acting can bring up a lot of emotions depending on your scene. I've cried, tried to suppress laughter, smiled with pure joy, and everything in between. Your emotions are crucial to giving a truthful performance, and it reminded me that having emotions is simply...human. We feel all of them at any given time, and we're not "weak" or "stupid" for feeling them when they come up. That's the truth of existing.
When you feel angry, acknowledge that emotion and work through it. When you're sad, allow yourself to feel it and cry if you want to. If you're happy, don't be afraid to show it in fear of making someone feel bad. If you're scared, voice it and get the help you need. To feel is human; to suppress is unnatural.
To anyone who's taken acting classes, what are the biggest lessons you've learned? Do you agree with my takeaways? Let me know, I'd love to hear!
Now go out there and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It'll give you confidence you never thought you'd have.
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