Career Profile: Actor	Home	Español	Activity
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What I Do: I'm an actress with a repertory theater company in a major American city. I love becoming a different character whenever I step onstage. Sometimes I'm a shy young woman named Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie. At other times I'm a witty, beautiful heiress named Portia in The Merchant of Venice. Like any actor or actress, I audition for roles. When I'm cast in a play, I work very hard to learn my lines and to create a believable character through the way I speak and move. We usually spend several weeks rehearsing a play before it opens, and the director guides us in our efforts to make the characters come alive for the audience.  

Best and Hardest Parts of My Job: People think acting is very glamorous, and sometimes it is. But it's also very difficult because the competition is so intense. I've auditioned for many roles that I did not get, often for reasons I had no control over. I might have been too tall -- or too short! Rejection is always hard. In spite of the struggle, though, acting is truly magical.  

How I Got Started: I've been stage struck my entire life! I performed in many plays in high school, and in college I majored in theater, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree. For several years I worked at small theaters and took whatever roles I was offered. Finally, I became a member of Actor's Equity, the professional union for actors. Now I'm a member of a well-respected theater company. I feel very lucky to be supporting myself as a working actress!