The Cost of Performance: Why Acting Won’t Always Feel Good
Guest post by Philip Hayden, Studio Director at Howard Fine Acting Studio
Aspiring actors often focus on a career filled with passion, applause, and deeply fulfilling moments. And while we aspire for all of that can be true, there’s a reality many don’t prepare for: acting should cost you something.
Great performances require real change, real activation. If you’re doing it right, acting won’t always feel comfortable. In fact, sometimes it will feel downright difficult. The specific demands of some material will require you to access and use parts of yourself that leave a residual impact. You might walk off stage or out of a scene feeling raw, vulnerable, even unsettled.
And sometimes - that’s the job.
The Risk of the Work
The act of performance should demand something from you, it should cost something. That cost varies depending on the script, the role, and the specific emotional journey required. Some performances might feel exhilarating, while others may leave you emotionally drained.
This is why preparation is key. You need to be ready to take on whatever a role asks of you, both technically and emotionally. If you want to pursue acting as a career, you must be willing to risk. Risk your comfort. Risk your emotional cost in the moment. Risk exposing a part of yourself that you don’t usually share.
The Actor’s Paradox: Vulnerability & Triumph
One of the most fascinating aspects of acting is what Howard Fine often points out: Actors are the only people on the planet who go through deeply emotional, often painful experiences, and immediately turn around and celebrate them.
Think about it. You’ve just finished a scene. You’ve cried, screamed, or let yourself experience something deeply personal. You’re raw. And instead of withdrawing, you turn to your fellow actors and your director with a sense of triumph: Yeah, that worked. That was great.
This is the paradox of acting. You must be willing to go to uncomfortable places, to feel deeply, and to risk exposing yourself. And yet, this very process is what creates performances that move audiences and make acting one of the most exhilarating careers on the planet.
Embrace the Discomfort
So, actors, if you truly want to make this your career, be prepared. Be prepared for the emotional demands. Be prepared for the discomfort. Be prepared to risk.
Because the best performances don’t come from playing it safe. They come from actors who are willing to step into the unknown, embrace the challenge, and let themselves feel, no matter how messy, raw, or difficult it might be.
That’s what makes it worth it. That’s what makes it great.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
While embracing risk is essential to great acting, it’s equally important to take care of your mental and emotional well-being. Acting can push you to intense places, and without proper self-care, it can take a toll. Having strategies to ground yourself after emotional work, seeking support when needed, and building a healthy mindset are all vital.
In our next post, we’ll explore practical ways to look after yourself while still giving everything to your craft.