Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor Wilson

Hi Connor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

The short and skinny of it is I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. As far away from the arts industry as you could imagine. But with a love for film. Sort of on the outside looking in. Feeling that a life on the stage or screen wasn’t in the cards for me, I went into sales for about 7-8 years and when I finally hit a point where I was neither happy nor fulfilled in my life. So I picked up everything and moved to New York with no money, and having never been there to pursue acting.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

God no! I was juggling going to an arts school full time with trying to have a social life and stay on track with assignments and then having to get a job, and an apartment and adjusting to an entirely new eco system coming from small town Alaska to big city New York. But I’m very grateful I moved here to study. It made the transition SO much easier, having structure and allowing me to meet like minded people.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’m an actor. I basically specialize in actualizing text. If someone writes it, it’s my job to make it look and sound like that would come out of my mouth.
As an actor, I’m probably known for trying to make something as real as possible. As natural as possible and simple as possible.
A good indicator for me is if as a viewer, if you can watch a rendition of Shakespeare and knowing nothing about the plot or motivations, an actor can convey all meaning and story while speaking in a text very different from what we speak in today, they’ve done a good job. As a writer I’m mostly known for writing weird stuff.

I’m mainly proud of giving myself permission years ago to do something that isn’t guaranteed. It’s amazing how hard it is to allow ourselves to do things that may fail no matter how bad we want to.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

If you’re an actor, go see theater. Off broadway, and especially off-off broadway.
Go to short film festivals. Take acting classes. I went to Barrow Group and New York Film Academy but there’s a plethora of resources either in person or over zoom for developing your craft and through that, meeting mentors and like minded people.
And especially get comfortable looking like a fool by asking questions. I promise it will benefit you in the long run. Ask for things. People are usually more willing to help you than you think.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @connorbenwilson/@groupseetheatercompany