We admire Hollywood actors. Why? Basically, they are professional liars, i.e. they make a living by pretending to be other people who say and do things that usually have nothing to do with their personal beliefs or true selves.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the links between acting and working. Perhaps this line of inquiry is a natural one for me because I’ve been involved in three big theatre projects over the past year as an actor, director, and dramaturge, plus helping dozens of individuals navigate their careers.
For example, I’ve listened to many clients explain to me how they “perform” at work in order to fit in and collect a paycheque but not out of any deep personal commitment to the work. Professionals in the health, legal, financial, education, and public service sectors are often trained with scripts and prompts to role play in scenes they might encounter in real life. There is definitely a time and place for “acting” in the world of work.
But we live, increasingly, in what has been described as a “performative culture” that shapes our personality and behaviour to act (or lie) while, at the same time, disempowers us from living a more authentic life, one that aligns with our deepest values and highest aspirations.
When we are always self-conscious at work about how we present ourselves to others knowing that we are being observed, judged, and rewarded or rejected, it can create chronic anxiety and lead to serious mental health issues.
Acting hurts
Actors can step out of their “real” lives for a few months and “play” a very different character and take extraordinary actions…then return to their real lives. But, for many people, acting is not “play” but a survival strategy to pay the bills. When the pressure of pleasing others at the expense of your true self takes up all or most of your time and energy, then you are at a very high risk of stress, burnout, and depression. (This is also true for Hollywood actors.)
I have observed that such risk is one of the motivations for people who prefer to work from home. Yes, there are benefits to reducing the costs of going into a workplace each day…but, for many people, it also reduces the mental health risks of “performing” a role that erodes their true selves. The problem is not where we work but the way we work.
In short, acting hurts when it is the only way to survive or thrive in the workplace. Working from home allows many to restore their true selves.
To lie for a living carries some high risks!
P.S. For the past 15 years, I have contributed to a local theatre company as a director, actor, singer, editor, and dramaturge. I recently played The Fool in an original musical audio drama called Beauty Will Save the World. Click on this link and you can listen FREE to the first episode. If you like what you hear, please subscribe on Patreon to listen to the remaining 10 episodes at your leisure. I bet you’ll binge listen! If you like listening to podcasts while you’re working or relaxing, you’ll enjoy this cautionary tale involving 17 actors and singers.
JobJoy Smile – Actors
- How do actors stay cool on set? They have fan clubs.
- Why did the actor go to jail? He got caught stealing the scene.
- Why don’t actors ever get lost? They always have their lines to follow.
- Why did the actor refuse to play cards? He didn’t want to role the dice.
- How do actors stay warm on set? They have hot performances.
- How do actors like their eggs? Over easy, with a side of ham.
- Why did the actor become a gardener? He wanted to dig deep into character.