When I first came to AUB I thought I would be limited. Confined to a cycle of training – learning techniques, breaking down scripts, running scenes – but still clueless on how I would break into the industry. I knew I loved acting, but I had no idea how to turn that passion into real work.
Fast-forward to now, and that fear feels almost laughable. I have had firsthand experience in student productions, with industry professionals, and even landed my first film set experience thanks to the opportunities that the University has offered.
One of the biggest advantages? The extracurriculars that bridge the gap between training and the real world.
It didn’t happen all at once. At first, I stuck to classes, focusing on building my craft. I spent hours in rehearsals, breaking down scripts, working on characters and reefing techniques. But as much as I loved the process, there was still a voice in the back of my head wondering: Am I actually getting closer to a real career?
Then I started noticing something: AUB wasn’t just about training in a bubble. There were so many opportunities right in front of me – chances to step outside the classroom and get real firsthand experience. I just had to say YES to them.
The first time I really felt like I was stepping into something bigger was when I joined a student-led short film called Sheep’s Head. It wasn’t just a typical class project – it felt real. The pressure was different, the stakes felt higher and suddenly, I wasn’t just a student actor; I was a part of a professional-style set.
This experience taught me something I couldn’t have learnt from a textbook – how to handle the chaos of a working set, how to adapt when things don’t go to plan, as well as collaborating under pressure. One minute, we were ahead of schedule; the next, we were scrambling to fix lighting issues. I had to learn fast, flexibility and problem-solving were just as important as delving a great performance.
And the best part? The moment of realisation that this wasn’t just practice but preparation.
The great thing about AUB is that opportunities don’t stop at student films. The University has built strong connections with industry professionals, and those connections open doors.
For example, I got participate in workshops run by people who actually work in the industry – directors, acting facilitators and actors who have been exactly where I am. And instead of just giving the generic advice that we hear every day as aspiring actors, they shared real, practical insights on what it takes to make it.
Breaking into the industry is tough – there is no sugarcoating that. But what makes AUB different is that it doesn’t leave you to figure it out on your own. Instead, it gives you a head start. It’s not just about learning – it’s about learning how to work in the industry.
So if you’re thinking about AUB and wondering whether it actually gets you ready for the real world – trust me, it does. You just have to be willing to say yes to the opportunities that are waiting for you.
