We recently connected with Dylan Mooney and have shared our conversation below.

Dylan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative life was as a kid, sitting in front of the television watching Michael Jackson perform. I didn’t fully understand what I was watching at the time, but I felt it. There was something about his presence, the movement, the energy, the command he had over the audience—it completely pulled me in.
I remember this very specific feeling, like something ignited deep inside of me. The best way I can describe it is like a fire being lit—a kind of internal spark that suddenly had direction. In that moment, I didn’t have the language for it, and I didn’t know exactly what path it would take, but I knew, without question, that I was meant to perform.
It wasn’t about becoming anything specific yet. It was more instinctual than that. It felt like a calling—something bigger than me—guiding me toward a life where I could express, connect, and move people the way I had just been moved. From that moment on, even without fully understanding it, I carried that certainty with me: this is what I’m meant to do.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I found acting early—really early. One of my first plays was in elementary school, playing Little Abner, and I can still remember the exact moment I stepped on stage. Something just clicked. It felt like home. Like everything that made me feel “different” before suddenly made sense. Up there, I knew exactly who I was—and for the first time, it felt like everyone else did too.
I grew up in Santa Barbara, which is an amazing, laid-back place to be raised. But even then, I had this instinct that I was wired a little differently—that I was meant to be in a more competitive, high-stakes environment. Acting gave me that. It gave me a place to channel that energy, to push myself, and to go after something that demands everything you’ve got.
That same mindset eventually led me into teaching at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. I’ll be honest—I almost turned it down. I wasn’t sure I was ready to take on that kind of responsibility while still grinding in my own career. But once I stepped into the classroom, it all made sense. I stopped trying to “teach” in a traditional way and just got real. I shared my experiences, the lessons from my mentors, the wins, the mistakes, and of course all the tangible tools I learned throughout my career— literally all of it.
And that’s the part I’m most proud of. Acting will always be my first love, but teaching has given me a different kind of fulfillment. There’s nothing like watching that moment when it clicks for someone—when they realize this business isn’t just about talent, it’s about trust, relationships, and how you show up every single day. Being able to give actors a real roadmap, and help them move with clarity and confidence, is something I don’t take lightly.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

If I had to define what drives my creative journey, it’s honestly this simple—I love to work, and I love to perform.
Acting isn’t something I casually choose to do, it’s something that’s a part of me. When I’m performing, I feel fully alive. It brings me joy, clarity, and a sense of purpose that’s hard to describe. It’s not just about the craft, it’s about what it gives me mentally and emotionally. It keeps me grounded, inspired, and connected.
Of course, there are so many exciting parts of this industry, but at the heart of it, what matters most to me is the work itself. Being able to do what I love, to grow through it, and to build a life around it is the real reward.
I’m happiest when I’m creating, collaborating, and stepping into new roles. That’s the mission for me. To keep showing up, keep working, and keep doing what I love at the highest level I can.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, is getting to step into that space of pure creation with other people. At the end of the day, we’re playing make believe together, but there’s something incredibly powerful about it. You’re building moments, emotions, and stories that can genuinely move someone on the other side of the screen.
There’s nothing like that feeling of collaboration, being surrounded by people who are all in, all creating, all bringing something to life together. And then seeing it land. Watching it make someone laugh, feel, think, or see something differently. That’s the magic of it.
I feel most alive when I’m doing this. It’s joy, it’s connection, it’s purpose all wrapped into one. Being able to share that experience with other artists and create something that resonates with people is what makes it all so meaningful to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebizofacting.com
• Instagram: @idylanmooney
• Facebook: Dylan Mooney
• Twitter: @idylanmooney
• Other: https://www.strasberg.edu

Image Credits

Photographer: Sascha Knopf