I’ve always thought acting was about slipping into someone else’s shoes, the opportunity of living different lives. But this quote from Meryl Streep really got me thinking. She once said: “Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.”

So, Meryl Streep, right? Here’s this acting icon, saying acting’s not about turning into someone else. It’s more like being a detective, finding bits of yourself in your character. Even if they seem totally different from you, there’s always something you can connect with.

Maybe the key isn’t just asking, ‘Who is this person I’m playing?’ but also ‘What if I was in their shoes?’

It means even when we’re playing someone wildly different, there’s still a piece of us in there. We’re not just pretending to be another person; we’re exploring different sides of ourselves in new situations.

This is quite reassuring, especially on those tough days when you feel like you just can’t get into character. Meryl’s saying, ‘Hey, it’s okay, you’ve got this. Just find that little piece of you in the role.’ It’s like a secret superpower we all have.

What Meryl’s getting at is that deep down, we’re all not so different. When we find those shared feelings or experiences, our acting gets more real. We’re not just pretending; we’re actually feeling.

Next time you’re getting into a role, think about Meryl’s approach. Look for those little bits of you in the character. It’s about making the role authentic, bringing your unique spark to it.

I’m curious to hear how you all connect with your roles. Drop your thoughts in the comments – let’s chat about the magic of being someone else, yet still being us!