26 May 2015
May 26, 2015

Acting: An outstanding hobby

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justin-veale

Blog by Justin Veale

It all started when my parents signed me up for a drama class at the West Carleton School of Performing Arts. When I was very young, they noticed my passion for storytelling and my reenactments of things I’d seen; and so it began. So far, I’ve performed as everything from a penguin, the man in the Old Spice commercials, or even a military soldier hiding in the Diefenbunker.

One of the many reasons why acting is just so outstanding is that it allows you to adopt a new personality for awhile, and you can abandon all your problems and worries you have while you focus on portraying a character. Although it’s not always easy to get away from the daily struggles of life, acting also gives you some perspective, and some distance to analyze yourself. There are no real world expectations for your character, and it’s almost as though you get some time off.

Experience is a big part of theatre. Being the youngest actor in our group allows me to watch and learn from the people who have been doing it for many years, and I benefit from their suggestions and feedback. This is the second time I’ve worked with these talented people at Rural Root Theatre Company, and with all the hours put into a production and the time we all spend together, the friendships we’ve made get stronger.

This being a family affair for myself, I do get the opportunity to discuss ideas with my dad at the theatre, driving to and from the rehearsals, at home, night or day, or basically whenever, which is great when inspiration strikes or we need to practice our lines.

You would be surprised at how much creativity goes into a performance. Yes, a lot of it is scripted, but each actor uses different and unique techniques to portray their role. By channelling their personal experience and influences, they bring the character to life. Acting is my favourite hobby, and I know I still have lots to learn. Being such a young actor has its pros and cons, but one of the best things is learning from the experience  of the talented people around me. I look forward to bringing everything I can to each and every performance I do.

Be sure to come watch me in That Darn Plot, which opens next week. Reserve your tickets! You can book your seats online at the Rural Root box office or call 613-832-1070.