Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Renee Godbout? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

The best advice I can give any actor is to enjoy your craft and have fun. It’s that simple. And when you’ve stopped having fun, then maybe it’s time to take a break.

When acting becomes a job that you dread going to, your performance quality will drop significantly and so will your desire to make things happen. It’s a difficult career to pursue that only the most dedicated can turn into a successful venture.

That’s not to say you can’t enjoy it as a hobby or part-time job. Sometimes that’s the best way to keep it an enjoyable part of your life. So what do you do when you’ve lost your drive and passion for acting?

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Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

This week, InstantCast is celebrating unlikely celebrities… and I was one last night!

My improv class with Aaron Haber culminated in a showcase this past Sunday, and we totally hit it out of the park. One of my classmates said that all we needed was an audience – and she was absolutely right. We all loved the audience’s reactions. Every laugh and chuckle kept us going!

So why was I the celebrity of the night?

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Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

4. DO promote yourself. Start by telling InstantCast members in your area about your upcoming performances. And don’t forget about other social networking sites! InstantCast is on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, and there are lots of actors and models to reach out to there! Whether it’s the debut of a play or just an audition, having lots of support from your peers is a great way to boost your confidence.

You can come check out my show on Sunday, April 26th at 8:00pm! It’s at the Broadway Comedy Club, which is at 53rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City. Come meet me and check out what I’ve learned, and maybe you’ll decide this improv class is right for you too!

By Casting Director Jenny Rawdin

Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

3. DO check out how the pros do it. After one class, I went to see my very first improv comedy show. It was amazing to see how all the skills and knowledge I’ve learned in the past couple of weeks being acted out on stage right in front of me! It became really obvious who had real, raw talent and how other could improve themselves more. The old saying is still true: Practice makes perfect.

By Casting Director Jenny Rawdin

Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

2. DON’T be afraid of being criticized. Taking this class was definitely a new experience for me, and improv comedy doesn’t come easily for most people! But acting is just like any other challenge. I remember my swimming coach in high school explaining how to work on our stroke and breathing techniques. And of course, I was the one who always did it wrong way and was made an example.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was just constructive criticism. My improv teacher is doing the same thing – and it’s a great tool that all acting coaches and casting directors use! It may hurt a little, but just roll with the punches and keep their words in mind.

You’ll develop your skills and a thick skin in the long run!

By Casting Director Jenny Rawdin

Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

So I’m almost done with my improv class with Aaron Haber, and it’s more fun than ever! I’ve taken away of a lot of acting “DOs and DON’Ts” and I’d love to share them with you. Check back every day for a new DO or DON’T!

1. DO jump right into your scene. This is especially important for improv comedy, but you can apply it to all kinds of acting – and modeling too!

Get into your character ASAP and don’t think about what the other person in the scene is doing or about anything else that’s happened today. If you’re not ready to start, you risk losing your momentum and making the whole scene going down in flames!

By Casting Director Jenny Rawdin

Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

Fitness isn’t just about your body… keep your mind in shape too by trying new things!

As a casting director, I’m usually behind the camera. But I recently decided to take a level one Improv Class taught by Aaron Haber, a good friend and colleague of mine. Aaron has studied alongside with the comedy greats like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, and he’s a great guy and teacher.

I hadn’t taken any real classes since college, and I loved every second it! It was exciting and liberating at the same time. I also took a lot of new lessons about acting away from my experience. Here’s what I learned:

1. It’s all in your head. It’s really easy to be nervous about tackling a new skill, or taking off on a new adventure. But think of each new challenge as mental exercise.

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What’s one of the best ways you can stand out from the competition? Take a risk! Think outside the box and try something new in your show business career. Act in a one-man show, do stand-up comedy, or try improv! When you try something new you’re bound to become more comfortable as an actor. So, get yourself out there & take a risk!

Click here for more tips on how to challenge yourself!