You Don’t Have to “Feel” It to Play It

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from actors is, “I just wasn’t feeling it that day.”

Here’s the thing: you don’t always have to feel it.

Acting isn’t about forcing emotions to appear on command; it’s about staying open enough to let truth happen. Some days it comes easily, and others, you have to work with what’s there. That’s normal.

When you focus too much on “feeling,” you end up performing the emotion instead of living the moment. The audience doesn’t need to see you try to cry or pretend to feel heartbreak, they just need to see you listen, want, and respond truthfully.

What matters most is staying connected to the circumstances, your scene partner, and the story. The emotions will follow when they’re ready.

That’s why in class, we work on building trust — in your instincts, your preparation, and your presence — so that when the day comes and the tears don’t fall, you can still deliver something real.

Because truth doesn’t always look like emotion. Sometimes it looks like stillness, restraint, or silence. And that’s POWERFUL!

Classes at TLS Acting Studio are open for enrollment now, both online and in North Hollywood. Come find your truth, not your “feeling.”