My First Acting Job

Imani Ahiro
Jul 2
3 min read

Sometimes, all it takes is one job, one room, one person to believe in you when you can’t yet believe in yourself.

My first paid acting job.

The audition, I remember…

It was at the Young Vic Theatre for the replay project.

The actors waiting in the lobby to be let inside.

It was the start of summer, the air was hot. I had just finished a bar shift.

I felt sticky.

My heart was pounding.

I kept looking up to the mirrored ceiling.

I thought to myself: what was I doing here.

 I was 19. Everyone congregated in the lobby asking, Are you guys here for the audition?

Sharing the plays they had recently seen.

Then there was me, I stuck to the wall.

I glanced up at the ceiling, seeing how much I didn’t fit in with this crowd.

At the time, I only watched TV or went to see a play when the tickets was free.

I was embarrassed. I nodded my head like I knew trying to follow their cues as they spoke of the theatre and exchanged which drama schools they went to.

I barely got my A-levels. In that moment, I was full of shame. Did my lack of higher education seep through my clothes? All these actors knew more than me.

How could I expect, How could I think I could just be, how could I be so silly to dream.

Then we stepped into the room.

It was a group audition. I wiped my mind of doubt.

I put my best foot out.

I gave it my all

a few weeks later I awoke to a call.

I got the part.

When I got the call, I felt excitement. Like that feeling when you’re on a rollercoaster just before the drop, an adrenaline rush I couldn’t believe it.

I mean I really couldn’t believe it.

The voice of doubt started to get loud.

It was an important experience, I was directed by Hana Pascal Keegan she was so kind and understanding.

I was so nervous.

I felt something was off, like I didn’t belong. I didn’t deserve to be there. But Hana made me feel safe. She involved me in the process. When I was tired, she’d find places for me to nap. She didn’t need a reason, or an explanation. She just let me be.

Another moment that sticks with me: before the show, all the actors decided to do an improv monologue to shake off the nerves. I got up. Another actor who I had worked with before, looked at me and said,

We did a project together; Theatre503, Five-O-Fresh.

They turned to the room and announced:

Imani is really talented.

I didn’t believe it at the time.

I still don’t at times.

But I carry those words with me.

When I feel the voice of doubt creeping in,

I remember those moments.

The moments my community held me,

And championed me,

When I could not recognise it in myself.

Thank you.