Thanks to my friend and fellow creative Nate Bertone for this image.
Last month my boyfriend (also named Matthew, I know, lol) asked me to join him for a 'Volunteer Weekend' at the summer camp he used to work at in NH. Of course I said yes. So we packed the car and headed to the White Mountains.
Not only was the landscape utterly gorgeous and serene, but the people were so genuine and down to earth. Throughout our time there, I was constantly being introduced from one person to the next — that's what happens when your significant other is loved by all.
Most exchanges followed a similar format: Hi. Howahya? What do you do? Oh you're an actor. Cool, what have you been in? Have you worked with any celebrities?
Rinse. Repeat.
But then, one young woman ventured off script:
ME
Hi, nice to meet you.
PERSON
Yeah, you too.
(hand shake)
ME
So what brings you here? Were you a camper?
PERSON
No, I actually worked with Matt. What is it you — oh wait, he told me — you're an actor. Why do you love acting?
Well, shit. That was unexpected. You see, with most people, the second you mention you're an actor, they immediately think lights-camera-action and want to know what blockbuster films you been in, who's the latest star you've been on set with, etc.
Sure, I've been on some big sets, worked alongside big names, but that's not why I'm an actor.
Though, if I'm being honest, I don't recall the last time someone asked me why I love acting, let alone the last time I asked myself.
I took and minute, then told her. And the conversation that followed was the most refreshing, organic, lovely discussion I've had in a long time.
Why?
Because instead of asking a surface level question about my career, she chose to go for the root, the little gold nugget of why I do what I do. So now I'm sharing them with you. Partly as a way to open up about myself, but also to remind myself why I got into this business.
1. Community
I grew up playing competitive sports. From an early age I remember everyone saying that your teammates were your family. But for me that was never the case. Sure, I was friendly with everyone, but outside sports, we shared very little. I did, however find family in theatre. These people were amongst the most caring, accepting, unapologetically authentic individuals I've ever met. We worked tirelessly for months on one common goal: creation. We memorized lines, learned music, built sets, help with costumes and raised money for our productions. But more than that, we bonded. We spent time outside the theatre going on walks, supporting each-others' endeavors and truly cared about one another. We were a community of creatives: actors, designers, technicians.
For your viewing pleasure: a snapshot of me from my high school's production of My Fair Lady, with friends Mikayla, Angie and Karl.
2. Empathy
I'm a big people watcher; on the subway, the mall, airports. I'm fascinated by human behavior and what makes someone tick. Acting allows me to experience the lives of people I may not otherwise understand. I get to step in the shoes of someone whose view of the world may align or oppose that of my own.
3. Courage
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."
If you were to tell my freshman year of high school self that after graduating college I would forgo a 9–5 advertising job to pursue acting full time...I wouldn't have believed you. Before throwing myself into the acting world, I used to let the opinions of others and self doubt prevent me from my taking risks. But once I took a leap of faith, I never looked back.
Acting is hard. There's a lot of rejection, vulnerability and times you'll hear 'no'. But fearing the word 'no' gets you nowhere. Facing it head on, does.
Acting has taught me to be confident in my abilities. Hold my head up high. Play off my vulnerabilities. Turn rejection into motivation for my next move. Courage has taught me that being brave is not the absence of fear but being ready to face it, head on, with endurance.
I still get scared every time I walk into an audition. And I don't think that feeling will ever go away. Nor would I want it to. Because if it were easy, if chasing your dream wasn't a challenge...then why do it at all?
4. Fun
Storytelling is pretty powerful. Movies and plays. Musicals and web series. They all offer an escape from reality. They force us to suspend our disbelief for an hour or two and step into real or made-up worlds that transport us beyond our everyday lives. It's fantasy. It's magic. It's fun.
Acting allows me to retain my inner child and hold fast to my dreams. Something I believe everyone should do more of. It's the best job in the world and I wouldn't trade this passion for any other.
As we approach Boston's busy season for filmmaking, I challenge myself and my fellow actors to not simply answer "What do you do?" but also "Why?"
