The Constant State of Change as an Actor

This week, the production schedule on my latest job shifted at the last minute, which meant I had to rearrange the workshops I’d already booked. That sudden change reminded me just how unpredictable life as an actor truly is.

When I was in my twenties, I actually loved this level of uncertainty. Every day felt like an adventure. But as I get older, it brings more anxiety than excitement — probably because I have more responsibilities outside of work now, and because being constantly “on call” can feel exhausting.

It never ceases to surprise me that casting expects actors to drop everything and just be available: last-minute shoots, overnight self-tapes, unpredictable auditions. Of course, it’s the life we choose — but that doesn’t make it any less challenging.

It also creates this ongoing chicken-and-egg dilemma:
You need a stable job to pay the bills and afford the flexibility to audition, but not so serious a job that you can’t drop it when an opportunity comes up. By the time you hit your 30s, you can find yourself stuck in between two worlds: without a “normal” career path and scraping by as an actor who’s still waiting for their big break.

And yet, we hold on. Because that’s the magic — you really are just one self-tape away from a game-changing role. One call could shift everything. That’s the rollercoaster we signed up for. It’s not always easy, but if you’re an actor reading this, I know you understand. It’s this glimmer of possibility that keeps us going.

Natalia Kostrzewa

24/06/2025