Who are you?

Something I had to learn in the last few years

The greatest lesson and hardest struggle any actor can learn is knowing their type and what they're good at.

For instance, myself being a short, curvy Caucasian blonde, I would have no chance at being in the musical "In The Heights", where it's mostly edgy Latinos singing in Spanish and rapping....even though I'd be damn good at it and almost auditioned with a brunette wig on....that's besides the point. Now put me in an audition for "Legally Blonde"? I've got that shit!

Know your type. Let's define "Type":  a number of persons sharing a particular characteristic, or set of characteristics, that causes them to be regarded as a group, more or less precisely defined or designated.

Are you tall? Shot? Skinny? Curvaceous? Sexy? Frumpy? Young? Middle-aged? Old?....there's no shame. Society ingrains in us that we should all want to be tall, thin, super-model types that never eat, but that's not what 99% of us are. We have to be honest with ourselves and see who and what we really are. And actually, from what I've seen, there are more parts nowadays for people with odd bodies than the "super-model" types anyways!

If you're having trouble deciphering your "type", ask a close friend. However, be prepared to not get the answer you may be wanting. What your friend will tell you is a good thing! You want an outsiders opinion so you can see how the world is viewing you and you can play off of that. So embrace your differences and let the world know who you are!

I recently read an article on creating your type and marketing yourself that was VERY interesting:

What TYPE of an Actor Are You? by Bob Fraser

The best place to start is to beat the casting directors to the punch -- decide on your "type" yourself. Learn the basic types -- and how they are sold -- and then choose what fits you best. Pay particular attention to that word "unique." It means that the product must be differentiated from other, similar, products.

This industry has a nasty knack of destroying people's self esteem (was totally a victim at one point). However, I believe, if you take the lesson that every audition, every class, every encounter is a learning experience to make you grow more, I think it may help some people. No one is perfect, and EVERYONE has room to expand on their craft, so if you go into situations with an open mind, I can guarantee that you will be better received and you may actually learn something that you didn't know before!

I hope this has helped some of you!

Charissa Out!