Why Do You Act?

I thought it might be interesting to bring up something once said to me in one of my various theatre classes. It was this: When someone asks you why you act what do you tell them? Because you like to, because you want to or because you need to?

The answer you choose usually determines how long you stay with acting. The fist two reasons - "like to and want to" don't usually generate the needed level of commitment. Acting can be fun or a nice hobby, but unless it truly is a need, it will never become part of you.

For me, honestly, I act because I need to. It is part of who I am- it is my passion. If I am not acting, then I feel like part of me is gone. Acting not only engages my mind creatively but it reaches inside of me.

I really don't know what else I would do if I could not act and would not want to face a life where I couldn't.

So, if you ever wonder about how much you should put into any acting you do, if you don't need it then don't bother because your performance will be less then what it could be.

If you can't invest everything you have into a role, then I doubt it will be worth watching.

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