Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jacinda Mclaughlin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jacinda, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first got into acting through music. As a child I was a singer in a choir and busked with my violin. I started playing drama games in choir and loved them, I used the money from busking to get my first acting headshots. I started studying acting by going to short courses offered by larger institutions. Then when I spoke to a casting director and said this was a career I wanted to pursue he suggested I commit to full time study to really develop my skills. He suggested some good acting schools. I chose 16th street in Melbourne, Australia and relocated from Brisbane to Melbourne, it was the best decision. In hindsight I would have done this earlier. I had initially auditioned for a university but didn’t get in, I waited years before thinking about returning to study and I got into 16th street on my first audition. My advice would be if you love it, just do it. Don’t wait for the one institution to accept you, there are many amazing schools and tutors around that might see what the others didn’t. The thing I left acting school with was a toolkit of many different techniques, a deeper understanding of myself and my craft and a solid process that has supported me in the industry.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an actor and also a business owner. I’ve expended time and energy working on both my skills as an Occupational therapist/business owner and an actor and am now at the point where my business thankfully allows me the passive income to delve deeper into the acting industry. As an actor I finished my full-time study and was then cast in numerous TV commercials, I had a lead role on an Amazon Prime show and have even had a small role in a Hollywood Movie. I have been in a theatre show that has toured around the Fringe circuit called Cocoon and eventually produced this show. I’ve also a performed in and produced a one-woman theatre show called The Road to Huntsville which was probably the most challenging work I have done, and I am very proud of it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a creative person I feel most alive when I am working on the craft weather that be analysing a script, preparing the scene in rehearsal, performing in front of the camera or even writing/ performing songs. The actual doing is rewarding in itself but when the work connects with others, when you can move an audience or they can relate to the text or song that’s very rewarding for me. I love it when an audience member tells me they have felt the same way the character did in a particular situation. For a moment we all feel seen and heard by relating to a shared experience weather you’re the audience member, creator or performer it just shows how universal our experiences can be and that we aren’t alone.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Being a creative or pursuing a creative career is not particularly linear. We know that what we produce may not result in tangible income, but sometimes it does and sometimes that’s a lot more than what you make in your day job! However, for a good part of the time we are doing the work without really knowing what the outcome will be, maybe your painting will sell, maybe it will sit in the gallery, maybe you will get cast, maybe you will audition every week for four years without booking a single gig. However, for anyone who has that strong creative bone you know that it’s simply not something you can live without, no matter how hard you try. The act of doing the thing making the art, doing the audition, creating the music can be just as rewarding and fulfilling as whatever the outcome might be. Because we get to share and express our talent and passion. My suggestion for non-creatives would be to accept and support the creatives in your life and know that they likely are marching to the beat of their own drum. We are resourceful folk, and typically have a plan b,c,d,e,f,g, purple, you name it, up our sleeve! Don’t worry about them fitting in, we usually are pretty good at balancing a level of security that is necessary with the creative freedom we require. Go hug your creative pal and buy a ticket to their next show, it will be amazing I promise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jacinda_rose
• Facebook: Jacinda McLaughlin
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8289472/

Image Credits

Emmy Awards Party 2024 LA today.
David Tsai, photographer.
Hilary Jones, Photograher