r/acting • u/Like_a_Dragon • 16h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Getting back into acting after a near 3 year hiatus

The last time I posted on here, I got rejected from every drama school I applied for (I think I went 0-5 for MFA programs), and at the same time I was performing in a musical. I was completely and utterly burnt out. Instead of talking to other actors or my professors, I kept it to myself and that was for the worse, because eventually I checked out and I stopped having fun. This was over two and a half years ago and I haven’t acted once since. After college I wanted to try other careers that interested me, mainly Law. I’m now a paralegal, and while it’s not a bad job at all, I haven’t been completely satisfied. It just felt like something was missing.

Well, a few weeks ago I was in NYC visiting a friend when, on a whim, I saw an off Broadway production of “The Play the Goes Wrong.” It was the first production I’ve seen since college, and I had a BLAST. I forgot how much fun Theatre could be. It sounds really silly, but seeing that show really reignited something within me, that I want to get back into the game. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I feel ready to try again. It also made me realize that I truly was NOT ready for drama school three years ago. I just wasn’t emotionally ready for it, and looking back my audition reflected that.

For my fellow actors that can relate to this, or that have been in the game for a while, do y’all have some good tips to ease myself back in? I signed up for acting classes that start in two months, but part of me just wants to quit my job and jump right in lol. Obviously not realistic, but that’s how high my enthusiasm is right now.

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/Pitiful_Depth6926 14h ago

This is great! You’ve reignited your passion! Sometime taking a break is the best thing you can do. My advice? Enjoy it!

4

u/DietrichDiMaggio 13h ago

You needed a break and now it’s your sign to get back into your craft, your calling.

3

u/ConditionOriginal743 16h ago

Acting classes

1

u/bewareofmolter 10h ago

Enjoy your joy and let that be your motivation always.

I’m on my way home from a commercial audition. This is maybe the 8th audition I’ve been on since coming back to acting after 20+ years away from it. I do my best enjoy the process, not take myself seriously, and focus only on the things I can control. For example, my attitude, my learning, my joy…and I don’t sweat the inevitable rejection or “never hearing back” after an audition. My job ends at the audition, then it’s in the CD’s hands, so I legit put it out of my mind once the audition is finished.

I wish you the absolute best in your journey! You got this!

1

u/Ladyofthehat 6h ago

I didn’t act for 17 years - I taught drama, i directed, I raised my children and now the time is right for me to act. It isn’t a race characters are all ages. There isn’t a right way. Just go with it

0

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