Before I left Vancouver, BC to spend the next 20 years traveling, I took an improv class that changed my life.
In my late teens, early 20’s I decided I wanted to be an actress. It was during the Hollywood North heyday, when tons of productions were filming in Vancouver, so the idea wasn’t that farfetched. What made it slightly unrealistic is that at the time, I was plagued by debilitating shyness. I blushed bright red whenever I spoke to anyone outside of my immediate family and close friends, and preferred to hang out by myself quietly observing people. So it was a brave move when I registered as an extra with Take One Academy, got a headshot, and started booking regular background work on Wiseguy, Booker (the spinoff from 21 Jump Street), the Commish, The Black Stallion, etc. I started taking classes and workshops at Take One and other places around town.
I didn’t ever do any real acting, or even audition for anything, but I absolutely recommend acting and improv classes to anyone who plans to speak in public.
