Look at Each Audition as an Opportunity - Brook Sill (American actress and model)

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1. Tell us about your background and journey. 

I was raised in a small town in South Carolina by my mother Susan (a teacher) and father, Todd (a developer). I have an older brother who has followed in the footsteps of my father as a professional golfer, so I’m not quite sure where I got the performing arts bug, but I’m very happy it found me. 

Wanting to be an actor in the upstate of South Carolina was kind of like wanting to be a surfer in Boise, Idaho - a little bit impractical and nonsensical. But I appreciate that it happened this way and wouldn’t trade my story for any other. 

Thankfully we did have an amazing arts boarding school known as the Governor’s school, which I eventually attended starting my sophomore year through graduation studying dance. The dance was my first love in life but I always knew I wanted to pursue acting, however, just wasn’t quite ready to give up dancing just yet. 

From there, I attended Clemson University majoring in Communications and Theater while dancing as a member of the Rally Cat Dance team. Upon graduating I moved to Atlanta to test the waters and get a feel for the movie/television path. 

One of my biggest blessings was signing with AMT a few days after my arrival which gave me some opportunities to audition fairly quickly. After a year in Atlanta, I was itching to move to Los Angeles and pursue this dream further. I made the move almost exactly one year ago. 

2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor? 

From the time I could walk my family has stories of me running upon any stage I could find and always wanting to perform for any and everyone willing to watch. I remember making a whole station in my attic and writing a script for my cousin and myself to develop our own personal Disney Channel show at age 10. 

Soon after though, the dance would take precedence over my deepest passion but I always knew long term that I wanted to pursue acting. There is, and always has been, this unmatchable joy I feel amidst telling a story. A career I knew I’d forever regret not pursuing. 

3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor? 

Confidence can be a tricky thing in this profession given the outcome is largely out of our control. You get told “no” or “rejected” about 99% of the time and that can be difficult to swallow when you’re putting in so much effort. But know that it is like this for all actors. 

What gives me confidence in studying stories of actors that I admire and understand how they overcame these obstacles. Hearing how they too, at one point, had to wait tables and fight through doubt and, for some, up to 7-10 years.

Once you prepare yourself and can see that some “no’s” have nothing to do with you or your abilities and more with not fitting exactly what that production is looking for, you can separate your confidence from your results. 

My dad always told me to look at each audition as an opportunity to perform and grow. If you can spin your mindset to be optimistic it will result in a much smoother and fulfilling journey. 

4. If not this, what would you be doing? 

Entertainment or Sports Broadcasting has always piqued my interest as well. Another outlet that would allow me to meet and hear the stories of others while also, in a way, fostering my love for performing. 

5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give? 

To never be afraid to ask questions. It can be hard to navigate through this industry because it does not have the structure of a normal job. Read and research as much as you can online, but also don’t be afraid to send emails or ask friends you know in the industry. 

It helps to start out as an extra (a lot of castings you can find through Facebook pages) so that you can gain an understanding of what it’s like to be on set. Get in an acting class! Just as an athlete trains for the Olympics, if you want to pursue this career seriously, you need to work on your craft to see results. 

The main advice I have is to make friends with this beautiful thing called patience. It can be so easy to hop in and want to see results immediately but it takes time. It takes time. And as soon as you accept that and manage expectations, things will be a little easier. 

6. What is your mantra of success? 

“The worst they can say is no.” (: I think what holds so many backs is the fear of rejection. Once you accept that the worst possible outcome is no, that removes so much fear and gives you infinite more room to take as many swings as you can. 

Stay true to who you are, work hard, and show up unapologetically. And remember, what’s meant for you will not pass you by. 

7. Which is your favorite book and why? 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - The recurring message of The Alchemist is to pursue your “personal legend” or heart’s desire and follows the tale of a young boy who overcame many obstacles in the process of doing so. There are endless nuggets of wisdom and inspiration tangled amidst the pages. 

I love this book because it encourages one to have confidence in what they are passionate about and helps one to discover and ask questions about their purpose and appreciate the pursuit. Pursuing acting terrifies the crap out of me, but what scares me, even more, is letting my dream be simply just a dream. 

Instagram ID - @brooksill

Brook Sill 

American actress and model

Interviewed By - Sandeep Virothu