Thavma Phillips is an actor living in New York City who loves her job. She studied with Terry Schreiber, who is known to be one of the best living acting instructors.  Her work has been seen on stage, in independent films, television series, commercials and industrials. Her resume is available online.

 1. What do you love about your job?

I love that I have the responsibility to bring someone’s story to life and share it with an audience. I remember meeting a woman who saw me in a show where I played someone who was suicidal. After the curtain call she came over and hugged me with tears in her eyes because her daughter (who is now living a great life) had gone through what my character went through. She came to the show several more times just to see me. It was a source of healing for her. Helping her made every grueling aspect of working on that part more than worth it. I did not imagine when I was preparing the part that I would have that kind of an impact.

I love that I have to do so much research to do my job. I get to learn so much about things I may not have known about had I not been given an opportunity to work on a particular role. I played a female police officer once and I learned so many interesting things about the realities of being a woman in that profession that I never would have imagined. An actor learns details about cultures, professions, medical conditions, psychology, history and so many other things we may never have had a reason to learn if not in this field.

One of the best things about my job is that I get to play. I remember working one night – looking around at my fellow cast members and thinking to myself “We are being paid to play!” Acting can be very serious at times – but when you get to let loose and just play some of the best work is created.

2. Did you always know this was the job or career path for you?

No. For a while I thought I was going to be an attorney. I also considered teaching. Although, acting was always in the back of my mind somewhere. It just never seemed like a realistic thing for me to pursue. I’m glad I discovered it after trying a few different things. I have had some invaluable life experience I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

3. What are the most important lessons you have you learned along the way?

That following your dream is one of the essential keys to lifelong happiness. That no matter what, it is important to stay on the road of achieving your passions – no matter what! I have also learned that one of the best things I can do for my self is to maintain my authenticity and uniqueness and be completely true to who I really am. Keeping that sense of self has taught me that I really am important to people and that I don’t need to try to be something I’m not to be noticed. The most interesting, compelling thing I can do is be totally myself and let my true being shine!

4. Tell us about a defining moment for you related to your work.

There have been so many. I guess when I took my very first acting class. I had a hard time saying two words in front of class without shaking and feeling sick to my stomach and just wanting to hide somewhere. It was so hard for me to be in front of people, but something told me to keep going, that there was something inside to be tapped into that I had something to offer. So I would cry as I drove home from class every week, but I would do my homework and show up the following week. In one of my last classes I did a scene with a woman I am still good friends with today. I had to step so far out of my comfort zone to do this part I thought I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. From beginning to end, the whole class was completely into it – I surprised even myself and got thunderous applause when I was done. That was it – I had to be an actor!

5. What advice do you have for people looking to find work they love, in your field, or any field?

A lot of people have to start at remembering what they love. The first thing I would do is to go back to what you always wanted to do as a kid. Brainstorm about all of those silly things. Then write down everything you would do if money were not an issue no matter how outrageous it seems. Writing is a powerful tool to unlocking our inner passions. Then when you have some clues of what you might like to do, take one small step. Find someone who is in that field and write to them.  Ask them questions about what it takes to get started, take a class, go to a lecture, join a meet-up. Do anything that will put you in the environment and give you a taste of what you could be doing. Also, have the courage to step out of your comfort zone as much as possible – you’ll amaze yourself!