ACTING: Sarah-Jayne Butler

Some young people harbour dreams of being cowboys, some princesses, some astronauts – the problem was I wanted to be all of them, and I realized I could by being an actor. So, whilst all my peers were donning their moon boots, sparkly dresses and cowboy hats, I just enjoyed walking around in other people’s shoes.

I ended up at acting lessons because I was painfully shy. It worked. I am no less introverted now, but by trying out different masks and personas I found a freedom that I hadn’t had before. Standing in front of a room full of people and even saying my name aloud was enough to make my mouth go a bit furry and my belly bloated with butterflies. It was through those early drama classes that I developed passion, creativity and expression, and, equipped with a supportive atmosphere, a creative
challenge and my lucky socks, I felt brave.

You see, we have all experienced that ‘in the spotlight’ moment: whether stepping onto a stage, walking into a room filled with new people, or even admiring we don’t have all the answers, it takes tremendous courage. It can be scary, but when we are bold enough to jump right in, we so often surprise ourselves.

Acting is about taking risks, plunging in feet first and trusting that you will be caught. It is a celebration of curiosity, of not being afraid to try and fail. And it’s an exercise in possibly the bravest thing of all - allowing people to see how we are truly feeling.

I am privileged to see and be inspired by people being brave every day in the job I do.
As a coach I never promise to show people how to act, but rather to encourage them to listen to themselves, to excavate the truth and ask questions. If you believe in
yourself, so does the audience, no matter who they are - you just need to be brave enough to open your hand and say “I am here”.

And if you can take that bravery into whatever avenue you choose in life and use the empathy you feel when meeting these characters and stories, then whatever you do, wherever you go and whoever’s lives you touch, you will make an impact.