We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yaron Shavit a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yaron, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned what to do through doing. I don’t think there is a better way to learn than getting up and acting/improvising etc. Of course you need guidance and help along the way. I don’t think there is anything that can speed up the learning process, maybe aside from getting consistent work, or creating your own work.

For me, improv and body work were the most effective. Anytime I wanted to play a certain character, I would need to get it in the body and with that – the voice, the attitude – it all changes. I always wanted to try out different options before choosing how to play a certain scene or role.

The obstacles that stood in the way are the need to also pay the bills and sometimes you don’t have the resources (time and money) to continue to work on the craft. But there is no substitute for putting in the work.

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 back background and context?

I got into the business by accident. I mean, it’s not like I stumbled upon it, but I thought I would take a class as a hobby, while simultaneously applied to study communications at Uni. But, I caught the bug, as they say and went on to study in Israel’s leading school (Nissan Nativ) and later at the renowned Bristol OldVic Theatre school in London, where I got classically trained. I think what separates me from other creatives, aside my training, is my natural flair for comedy with the ability to play very diverse and complex characters. Like all artists, I feel like I have something to say, and acting is my platform to express myself.
I’m very proud of the quality of work that I have done, especially considering the opportunities I have had. I’ve been on Emmy nominated series (The Honorable Woman, McMafia) and in addition have been in great theater plays in the UK, of which some I’ve got really good reviews. I remember when Time Out Magazine called my performance brilliant for a play I did in London (Nineveh at the famous Riverside Studios venue) and that was definitely a highlight. I’m also very proud of creating my own content (“Shavinism” on Youtube and TikTok) so I’m always staying creative.

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

For me the most rewarding aspect is when something you do resonates with others. If they laugh or cry or it makes them think, either by agreeing or disagreeing. At the end of the day, artists want to have an impact on people’s lives. Entertain, create change, generate empathy – these are very noble causes and I’m very proud to be a part of it. Not to sound cliché, but I am grateful.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think people have misconceptions about actors that they are very outgoing and that they escape by playing different characters aside themselves. I think a lot of actors are shy and come to the profession from a feeling that they want to be heard. I also think that good actors always brings themselves to every character they play – with their vulnerability and ugly sides as well for the world to see. And that, in itself is brave and not an easy task. It’s hard to show sides of yourself that you try to hide in the everyday life. But, as said, it can be very rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shavinism/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaronshavitactor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shavinism
• Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@shavinism

Image Credits
Photo by Idil Sukan for first photo 4th photo (headshot by Jamaal Murray)