Mark Evans Studio

Being a professional actor asks a lot of you, right?! It demands flexibility, passion, sacrifice, and resilience. It’s not a typical job - it’s unpredictable and personal. That’s why it’s so important to find the balance between staying ready for your career and also making space to live your life.  This industry moves fast. Auditions can pop up with barely any notice. Being available is important. The more often you show up, the more chances you give yourself to grow, work, and be seen. But you can’t guarantee that getting the job is going to make you happier. When your entire identity and level of self acceptance revolve around being an employed actor, it’s easy to lose perspective. You start saying no to relationships, hobbies, travel, rest so that you’re available. I, myself, have travelled SO much more of the US than Europe (where I lived much longer) because in my early career I was too afraid to travel in case I missed an audition! If life becomes a game of simply waiting...

I have a friend, Craige - the E is silent - with whom I will immediately be in fits of laughter within literal seconds of seeing him. I recently visited him in Toronto where he was doing a pre-West End run of his show and spending time with him highlighted that I hadn't been laughing as much as I’d like recently. Laughing is important!  In the world of acting, where vulnerability and emotional depth are part of the job description, it’s easy to fall into the trap of taking everything - yourself, your work, your career - very seriously. And while commitment and discipline are essential, laughter is vital and often gets overlooked. Laughter is a powerful reminder that we are human beings first and artists second. It grounds us. It softens the edges. It gives us perspective. In an industry with so much rejection, uncertainty, and high stakes, laughter is not just a break - it’s a form of resilience. It allows you to exhale, let go, and reconnect with the joy that likely drew you to...