The Heart of the Actor’s Work

The Heart of the Actor’s Work

by Mario A. Campanaro

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 is what 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, highly complex lives of characters in 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. Every story has a history that shapes who we are—how we move through life, what we strive for, what we long to achieve, become, and experience.

We must understand that at our very 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. It is about our humanity. And 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.