Do what you need to to find JOY!

I kicked off Thursday night's class last week by asking everyone to share one time they have felt tremendous joy as an actor in their lives. It reminded us all why we fell in love with this thing we’re so passionate about and allowed the class to be laid back, fun and playful - Joy filled!

As actors - myself included - it’s easy to drift into a mindset where we’re chasing outcomes instead of experiences. We start measuring ourselves by bookings, callbacks, or how we think we’re being perceived. In that space, joy becomes conditional. It becomes something we earn, rather than something we bring with us. But the truth is, when joy leaves the room, our work suffers. We tighten, we overthink, and we lose the very thing that makes our performances compelling.

When we prioritise joy, everything opens up. We give ourselves permission to play again. We take risks without the fear of failure looming over every choice. We listen more deeply, respond more honestly, and allow ourselves to be surprised. That sense of play isn’t childish - it’s essential. It’s where discovery lives.

I’ve noticed in our classes that when we lead with joy, the work actually deepens. Scenes become more truthful, not less. There’s a lightness that allows for heavier moments to land in a more authentic way. It creates an environment where we support each other instead of silently competing, where we celebrate the process instead of judging it.

This industry will always have its challenges. Rejection isn’t going anywhere. But if we root ourselves in joy, we have something solid to return to. Something that isn’t dependent on anyone else’s opinion. It becomes our foundation.

So this is a reminder for all of us - not just as actors, but as a community - to keep choosing joy. To protect it. To prioritise it. Because when we do, we don’t just become better actors. We become more connected, more courageous, and more alive in our work.

Keep up the great work,

Mark :) 

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