Hey! So to start off I'm an actor, currants studying musical theatre in Australia. And for the last few months (we'll years really, but I've only just now started to not try to repress and forget) I've been questions my identity and further on that trying to figure out if I'm trans or not (currantly after soul searching I'm begining to think I'm trans). Anyway I'm rambling, sorry. Point is im kinda scared, if I do realise I'm trans and want to go further and transition, I'm worried that in the very egocentric and appearance based world that is the entertainment industry, that I won't be able to pursue my career if I don't look good as a woman since ive got a very "masculine" physique I guess, or my voice is too deep etc... it's been weighing on me a lot recently. And I'm just wondering anyone's thoughts on this?

*sorry if I've worded anything wrong or said anything wrong, still getting used to discussing this stuff even to myself

I'd need a crystal ball to answer this. 

I'm in defense electronics, pretty male oriented. I transitioned on the job, a couple speed bumps, but all in all, they've been pretty good. Good luck with things!

Hugs, Devlyn

I was supposed to attend LIPA in 2005 but couldn't bring myself to do it. If I attended as a female I was sure I wouldn't get far, or get any interesting roles based on appearance. Not to mention I thought the authenticity I wanted to bring to it just wouldn't be there because I didn't feel authentically female. How could I do a convincing performance as one when I couldn't connect with what women feel or want? etc. I stood out in my own life as one that didn't quite convince and took this as a cue.

That ruined my entry into any career back then. Took a long break when I seriously considered transition because frankly feel that too would ruin any serious career in the industry to enter while in the middle of a transformation (however post-transition, I will make a break for it). Once I started looking and sounding male I got back into it at the local theater but I have definitely lowered my expectations and felt it best to begin again one the other side of the country with a new name. I did not want to end up doing stuff related to LGBT. That would not reflect my ability or challenge it, so I've avoided that completely, although it could be a viable option for any trans actor/actress to gain some visibility and acclaim.

Determination, networking and putting everything you have into the craft is all I can figure to do. The industry can be pretty ruthless and everything you do informs the next step. Don't give up, though. If you love it, keep doing it. The more I learn about successful actors the more I can see that lots of them didn't come from typical background or get where they are along some straightforward route. It was a lot more depressing to view from a female perspective knowing how if you're young and attractive that's great but if you're not it becomes 10x harder to land a decent gig. That said there's female actors in the industry at the moment with less feminine characteristics who are doing okay, and got in by playing characters that weren't conventional.

Someone once said we must be part masochists to want to be actors, to wanna get torn down for not being this or that every audition. I think that's kinda true, haha. I'd try to solidify your rep as a serious actor from the beginning, and take as many challenging but thoughtful roles as you can, I think that can avoid some of the industry pitfalls maybe.

I think theater is a hell of a lot more friendly/accommodating than TV and film to people who aren't cookie cutter lead material in this respect, but you might find it different.

I am doing technical work in theatre.  Theatre people are just about the most accepting in the world.  I have had no problems at all from anyone in cast or crew.

I have thought about whether I would accept a stage role if it were offered.  (This is a small local theatre, so they are always looking for new actors.)   My wife is a new actor, and I can see how much fun she is having on stage.

While I have no problem at all being 'out' and being myself in public, being on a stage is just about as public as you can get.  You are actually saying to the audience, "Hey, look at me!"  I don't know if, as a trans woman, I want to be quite that 'out'. 

My voice would hold me back.  Though I have feminized it considerably, it still doesn't pass.  I suppose it could pass in a male role, but that would be far too dysphoric for me.  I just completed 60+ years of 24/7 acting in a male role, and I have had more than enough of that.  Yet my voice will not pass and will not be convincing in a female role.  It would be drawing unwanted attention to me as a person rather than to my character.

I might accept a role of a trans character in a play, if there were one, but that would be wa-a-ay too edgy for this company!

So I think that leaves me out of taking on any acting roles.  I presume that some of these same thoughts have occurred to you.

So I don't have an answer for you.  You know yourself best, and you know the companies you work with best.  It is a really tough position to be in.  I wish you luck with your decision.

I had a lot of background in drama and musical theatre. I did most of my improv and comedy courses through Second City Comedy Club in Toronto (May it rest in peace..)

I will say this much;

Oddly enough Ive found being able to switch effortlessly back and forth from my female to male voice speaking AND SINGING (Sometimes I have too much fun with this..) Opened a lot more doors than closed them. I dont feel any dsyphoria performing since its always fantasy. (Even delving into serious method acting for more serious parts..)

But yeah Im totally in love with what I can do with my voice now even more than before so Im eager to get back at it. :3

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