The Foundation of an Actor’s Work

The Foundation of an Actor’s Work

by Mario A. Campanaro

One of the greatest tools an actor—or any artist or human, for that matter—can possess is compassion and empathy. The ability to have an open heart and a willingness to dive into the depths of the human condition is the very foundation of our work. It allows us to live moment to unknown moment within extraordinary circumstances.

We must be willing to see, hear, feel, taste, understand, and experience more than just our own small circle of existence. Only then can we fully inhabit the vast, complex lives of characters enduring unimaginable pain, great struggle, and high-stakes circumstances. This is ultimately the "in" to every character we will ever play, reveal, and live.

Everyone has struggled. Everyone has suffered. Everyone has faced trials and tribulations. Everyone has a story, and every story has a history that shapes who we are—how we move through life, what we strive for, and what we long to achieve, become, and experience.

At our core, we function from survival, from love received and love unreceived. From there, our story unfolds based on what life throws at us. This is not just about technique. This is about humanity.

Every human’s story is worthy of being witnessed simply because it is part of the essential fabric of this thing we all call life.

Copyright © 2025 Mario A. Campanaro, All rights reserved.