We recently connected with Christopher Chwee and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I have—and honestly, it still feels surreal sometimes. My creative career really shifted gears back in 2017, when I found myself coaching a few young performers from the Disney Channel after an awards show. I didn’t go into the event thinking that would happen, but something clicked. From there, word spread. Producers and directors started reaching out, asking if I could coach their young actors. It wasn’t planned—but it felt right.

Soon after, I began coaching some of my mates back home in Australia. Most of them were working actors already, but then they started booking more work—bigger roles, stronger performances. I realized that helping actors tap into something deeper, something more authentic, was something I genuinely loved doing.

Then, about three and a half years ago, my agent turned to me and said, “You should open your own studio.” I laughed at first. But that seed stuck. And before long, Act First Studios was born.

It’s been full-time ever since—coaching, producing, creating. What started as a few casual sessions has grown into a full-fledged acting studio. The work and the actors are deeply personal to me, and I think that’s part of why it works.

Was it like that from day one?

The energy of the studio has always been the same; which is why I think actors stay and train with us for long periods of time. I was figuring it out as I went—balancing sessions, chasing opportunities, navigating the business side. But there was always momentum. And a belief that if I showed up with integrity and gave actors tools that actually worked, the rest would follow. Slowly, it did.

Do I think I could’ve sped up the process knowing what I know now?

Yes but I have always been quality over quantity. At the moment we have a 5-7% acceptance rate. If we worked with everyone who applied and auditioned our growth would have evidently been faster.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Sure! I’m Christopher Chwee—an acting coach, creative director, and founder of Act First Studios, a place where actors come not just to train, but to transform.

I first got into this world as an actor training at Circle in the Square and extensively with Larry Moss and Roz Coleman. I trained in acting, worked across theatre, film/tv, and commercials, and like many artists, I wore a lot of hats. But everything changed in 2017 when I was invited to coach a few young Disney Channel actors after an awards show. I didn’t expect it to turn into anything bigger—but almost immediately, directors and producers started calling. I began coaching more regularly, and soon after, I was working with actors in both the U.S. and back home in Australia. When my clients started booking more work and growing in confidence, I realized this was more than a side gig—it was something I was deeply passionate about.

About three and a half years ago, my agent encouraged me to launch my own studio—and that’s when Act First was born. Today, we offer actor training that’s practical, emotionally grounded, and industry-savvy. We work with young talent and seasoned pros alike, focusing on audition technique, on-camera work, career development, and mindset. I also coach on set, collaborate with production, and help them get the best performances out of their actors.

What sets us apart? I think it’s the real-world results and the heart behind the work. I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” training. Every actor is different, and our job is to unlock what makes each performer uniquely compelling. We focus on tools that actually work in the room—no fluff, no gimmicks, just honest, focused, transformative work.

This year, I’m especially proud to have been awarded a scholarship to the National Alliance of Acting Teachers program at Juilliard—an incredible opportunity to study alongside some of the world’s best educators. It’s a reminder that we never stop learning, and that the work we do as coaches has to evolve just as much as the work we ask of our actors.

More than anything, I want people to know that Act First is a place where actors feel safe to take risks, challenge themselves, and grow into their full potential—not just creatively, but personally. Whether someone’s prepping for their first self-tape or navigating a lead role, we’re there every step of the way.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part is witnessing transformation—in real time.. Discovering who they are to booking their first major role, or simply walking into a room with more confidence than they had a week ago… that’s the magic. That’s what keeps me doing this.

As a coach and creative, I get to be part of someone’s growth—not just as a performer, but as a person. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping people connect to themselves, to their craft, and to an audience in a way that feels authentic and alive. You’re not just working with technique—you’re working with humanity.

I also love that I get to create space for people to take risks. There’s so much pressure in this industry to “get it right,” to be perfect. But real artistry lives in the mess, in the questions, in the vulnerable in-between moments. Being able to guide someone through that, and give them tools to not just survive it—but thrive in it—is something I never take for granted.

At the end of the day, I just feel lucky. Lucky to have built a career where I get to tell stories, build artists, and shepherd creativity every single day.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that being good wasn’t enough—I had to believe I was worthy of being taken seriously. And that started with me. When I began taking myself and my work seriously, other people did too.

Growing up, I always felt this internal push to prove myself—like I had to earn my place in the room. I was playful, imaginative, full of energy, but I thought I had to dial that down to be respected. I didn’t want to come off too eager, too emotional, too much. So for a long time, I held back—thinking humility and shrinking myself were the same thing.

But over time, especially as I stepped into leadership—as a coach, creative, and founder of Act First—I realized that people mirror the way you show up. The moment I began backing my own vision, holding boundaries, and standing in my voice with clarity and confidence, everything around me shifted. Clients leaned in more. Opportunities grew. My work spoke louder.

The irony is, the part of me I used to question—the childlike joy, the imagination, the instinct—is the exact thing that saved me. I’ve learned that being a grown-up doesn’t mean letting go of wonder. It means protecting it. Honoring it. Leading from it.

Now, I let both parts exist: the adult who runs a studio and the inner child who still believes in the magic of storytelling. That balance has become my foundation—and I teach my actors to find theirs, too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.actfirststudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actfirststudios