Musings of an Accidental Actor

Practical Tips for Aspiring Actors in Theatre and Film

Hi there! My name is Sakina and I have worked in the creative industry for 15 years and counting. To date, I have dabbled in writing, directing, producing, teaching and acting. I  started professionally as an actor…but now I 100 % prefer to be behind the scenes. Organising, planning and executing tasks stresses, but fulfils me like nothing else ever could.

How I Started Acting

 If anyone knew me as a child, no one would have pegged me for an actor. I was the quiet kid who loved solo play, quietly watching TV and reading. I only spoke when spoken to. I would wander into people’s houses and make a beeline for their bookshelves. I once started reading a book about Greek mythology and my aunt pulled me out of that to go play a game of Scrabble. I could have been many things but being an actor was on no one’s radar; not even mine. So, how did I stumble into the craft? 

Key Moments in My Acting Journey

The first time was in primary school. My Social Studies wrote a play. I don’t remember auditioning; just long rehearsals after an already long school day that ended in corporal punishment for deciding to go home when he was a no-show. We didn’t make it past the first round of competitions.

My second encounter was in high school- I walked into a read-through. This guy (who turned out to be the writer /director) hands me a script. I have the WORST cold read of my life and I get invited back and cast as the lead. This time we did well in the qualifying round and I was awarded third best actress in Nairobi!

Three weeks after I sat my final exams, I stumbled again into the wrong audition. They were ready to wrap for the day. A group of us all had to perform something. Naturally, I performed my high school monologue and just as I turned to leave the Director ran after me and cast me as the leading lady in the famous  An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen.

My resume to date only has one ensemble credit. A lot of my roles which are few and far between have been leads and supporting roles ( remember I do not consider myself an actor so I don’t audition much).

Tips for Aspiring Actors

If you have gotten this far you are probably rolling your eyes thinking I am bragging. I assure you I am not.  Some of these roles have been a result of me persistently hanging around people I would love to work with and stating my desire for collaboration. 

Great Sakina, but how is this information supposed to help me who is an up-and-coming actor? I want to learn about Meisner and Stella Adler (which is valid and by all means helpful). Well, as an actor who’s stumbled into the craft, here are some valuable insights and practical tips for aspiring actors interested in venturing into theatre and film.

1. Read as much as you can

Not just storybooks,  but everything in general. Not only do you feed your intellectual side, but you also gain an insight into subjects you would never otherwise interact with were it not for a book. I remember even as a child that my favourite books were the ones that had no pictures. My imagination was able to be stretched and challenged and it’s a mental exercise I would recommend to anyone. Let’s not forget the focus that is needed to read through a novel;  a script to me is far easier to tackle. I know we are in the era of  Kindles and apps such as Audible that can read aloud for you but- because we still get scripts in hard copy and are required to go over them countless times and make notes and so on- I encourage you if you have kids to get them books they can touch and feel and note stuff in. It’s a great first step in developing the skill of script analysis.

2. Never lose your ability to play

Remember how I said I was never the playful child? I am now definitely a more playful adult. I love learning icebreakers and theatre games and enjoy warm-ups (spoiler alert – I am quite unfit). The best part about theatre is the rehearsal stage- you can try out as many character choices ( within reason) and decide what interpretation best works for the overall story. The fun part about getting older ( at least for me) is that your inhibitions melt away with time. We are here for a good time and not a very long time so we may as well make the most of it!

3. Nos are part of the journey

Nos are a necessary part of life and in the life of an actor, a necessary tool for developing thick skin. Sometimes it works out that the projects that I put in the least amount of effort are the ones that I got and the ones where  I REALLY wanted it, I didn’t get in. The NOs are very rarely solely because of you. Sometimes you are physically not right for the role, or maybe you were perfect but it was neck and neck and the other person got it due to a small minor detail. Get in the practice though of giving your best and doing better than the last time. Future you will thank you for the effort.

4. You don’t have to do anything and everything to get ahead

I started doing this professionally when I was 18 years old. I have made some pretty decent choices with the projects I have been involved in, but some things still make me cringe years later. You don’t have to expose your body or do anything suggestive if it makes you uncomfortable…and this can be a dicey affair if the story demands that of the character. You could get lucky and have a director that’s willing to work with your comfort levels but a majority of the time, you are going to have to make some tough choices to preserve your integrity.  Wisdom does dictate that you do your due diligence ahead of time. Certain companies and individuals have reputations that precede them so don’t go in thinking that you are special and they will bend to your will.

5. Live your life

When you are young (Ok, I am in my mid-30s so maybe…this applies to me too), it feels like you have to do everything NOW- like you are constantly missing out, or that your identity is in solely being an artist. I am here to tell you that there is a very small percentage of actors who are always working- and you feel bad when you aren’t on a project. Go to school, attend family functions, get involved in your local church, learn a new skill, and show up for your friends. All these experiences inevitably enrich your art anyhow, so go on and LIVE and trust in the One who knows the beginning from the end.

I hope my rambling was useful to you, and whatever stage you are at as an actor (or maybe artist) keep your head up, it will get better.