“Who am I?” seems like an obvious question, but the answers it generates are vital for fleshing out a truthful performance. It’s a question that should be asked many times as an actor, but at least three every time you take on a new role. First it should be directed inward to yourself, and second and third, it should pertain to your character’s trajectory. Here’s why it’s so important:
“Who am I” as a person?
You hear it constantly: “Be comfortable in your own skin.” “Love yourself.” “Know yourself.” “To thine own self be true.” As repetitive and annoying as hearing those phrases can be, they’re absolutely true. To excel at almost anything in life, especially acting, you need to know yourself.
As actors, we are required to bring pieces of our personality and experiences to a role, more so than any other job. Take a look at any actor you admire and I guarantee there is a common thread to their performances, whether they’re playing a drunk pirate or a high-profile politician (which, contrary to popular belief, are not the same thing), you can generally see similarities in their personality or choices. That’s because they understand who they are as a person and know the right parts of themselves to infuse into a role. That’s not to say they aren’t “becoming” someone else, but you have to realize that you can’t truly take on another person if you don’t know yourself at least a little bit.
Our bodies and personalities are our tools. We have to use what we have and plug it into the projects we take on.
READ: "Embrace Your Childish Side"
“Who am I” as this role at the beginning?
Before anything else, you should know the “who” you’ve been cast as. Beginning work on a role is like meeting a new friend or a loved one. Part of acting is discovering human intricacies (usually of people different than you) that you like and can relate to.
Take a look at who the person is when they are first introduced in the script. It’s important to note how the character “serves” the story. “What are his/her relationships like? How do other people see him/her?” “How does he/she see himself/herself?” “How does he/she feel about life?” Etc.
Eventually you will create an answer that informs your performance.
“Who am I” as this role at the end?
Arcs are our friends. As actors, there is quite possibly nothing juicier than playing a role that has ups and downs and fully changes by the end of a piece. In truth, though, every person is different with each passing second of the day. There is some difference—you just have to find it. “How is he/she different in the end?” “What does this person go through and how does it affect them?”
So before beginning work on any project, ask yourself, “Who am I?” The true answer will be found throughout your process and continual asking of questions. Finding the answers is part of the fun!
Part of knowing yourself comes across in your headshots—watch the video below for some great advice on how to prepare for them! And then browse our television audition listings!
Robert Peterpaul is an actor, writer, and the owner of RPP, which aims to assist talent in the entertainment industry in “honing their craft.” His career highlights include working for NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent” and currently for AOL Build, the Huffington Post, and his family's foundation, the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation. Peterpaul can be seen next in the upcoming feature film “What Happened Last Night.”
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
