To live as many lives as possible.
As an actor, that is my mission. I only get one life and I want to live it by broadening my mind, opening my heart, and telling stories that need to be told. I vow to constantly expand my circle of comfort so that I may authentically walk in the shoes of the characters I play.
My mission is not to change the world. That’s because actors don’t change the world, not directly anyway.
For those of you reading this this may seem to be a controversial statement, but please allow me to explain myself. My job as an actor is to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances, to use the words of Sanford Meisner, so that I may embody my characters’ authentic selves to tell the story that was meant to be told. That story is then seen by audiences big and small and they will take what they will from it. In an ideal world, the stories that I play a small part in telling will inspire others to seek out the change they want to see in the world. Whether it be a sci-fi film that inspires kids to look at the stars and wonder how far humans can go. Or, a film about a war hero that will inspire the bravest among us to put their life on the line in the name of freedom. Or, a heart warming rom-com that will inspire the broken hearted to give love a second chance.
I’m just an actor, I play pretend for a living.
However, it is my hope that I too will be changed by the characters I play and the stories I tell so that I, Jared Kasowski, can be brave enough to help change this world and one day leave it a little better off than when I first entered it.
Thank you for reading.
Best regards,
Jared Kasowski