I came from a different background but there were a large amount of parallels. I spent 10 years as a personal tour guide. 2 to 3 tours a day, first could be to a regular family, second to subject knowledgeable professionals, third could be to school kids. You had to pitch and deliver basically the same information in so many different ways, reformating on the fly to different audiences. The experience has served my surprisingly well! Each tour was effectively a 'performance'.
I think something else that can come from a performing arts background is an improved ability to take direction. Even being in a school band (which doesn’t have a lot that transitions over to voiceover work) can help this because you get used to collaboration and keeping your ego out of the way. If you think you’re wonderful just as you are and feel like anyone telling you to adjust something or try something different is being mean, even if you have the basics down, it will be hard for you to put them to good use where the rubber meets the road.
This autumn I’ve finished a 3 month VA course. What I’ve realized shortly after is that I definitely need to up my acting and learn the very basics, like scenic speech. And I’ve gone to a child acting school and played in a school theatre, performed as a guitarist for a while and then done some comedy and standup! Only after 10 months of constant practicing I’m finally tolerable for a role of supporting character. The demo from that course is only good for one thing - I can listen to it once again and realize that I’ve made progress.
I went about this the other way and while I don’t regret it, I can tell you I have improved so much from taking acting classes. Wish I had done it sooner so this is solid advice.
Hmm.. I dare to defy the anti coach .. years of reading to kids in class , training, coaching and podcasting etc.. yet, as a semi introvert.. home space learning is a yes.. yet, an acting class would be a version of hell for me, by comparison😂.. will keep my eyes open for a good acting coach:))..
