Entering a massive conservatory, students come from a melting pot of different experiences and training backgrounds. In these spaces, there’s an unspoken admiration for what feels effortless. Talent seems most impressive when it looks natural.
So much of what makes someone stand out can’t be taught. The originality that comes through in creation or in embodying existing work is undeniable. It’s that unexplainable quality people try to name when they say someone just has “it.”
And for many of us, this idea has followed us here. We’ve been told, at one point or another, that we’re talented and have something special.
Regardless, in the industry, talent alone isn’t enough. What sets artists apart is the ability to connect with people and demonstrate consistent authenticity in any environment. Networking and presence are just as important as technique.
And yet, even those qualities don’t come naturally to everyone. Some of the most gifted performers are introverted and don’t converse naturally.
That’s the catch; there is always something to work on. If your technique is strong, you’re told to be more personable. If you’re magnetic in a room, you’re pushed to refine your abilities. No matter where you stand, it can feel like you’re always falling short of some ideal that doesn’t exist.
Therefore, success isn’t about being the best at everything. It’s about understanding your strengths, honing in on your weaknesses and working towards them day in and day out.
Working hard is the most important part of growth. Nothing meaningful comes without effort, and the process of trying is what will build both skill and character.
Some of the biggest milestones I’ve reached didn’t happen effortlessly. Every step was visible. It was clear I was learning and figuring things out in real time, which made the outcome even more meaningful. I was also making mistakes and growing because of them.
Yet students let that visibility work against them, treating effort as a sign that they’re not good enough or even resenting who they were in earlier stages of growth. It’s important to resist that mindset by recognizing your worth at every point in the process. If anything, your effort makes your abilities more impactful. As actress Sophia Bush once said, “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously.”
There’s nothing embarrassing about being seen trying. You’re not a teacher’s pet for being responsive in the classroom. You aren’t weird for breaking a sweat after the first combo in ballet class. You aren’t bothering anyone by experimenting with different phrasing in your monologue.
Even better, trying brand new things and failing is exciting, not invalid. It’s a necessary practice against perfectionism.
If anything these efforts reveal the quality that ultimately matters most: Work ethic and drive. Take up space in your growth, ask questions, make mistakes, and keep showing up. The work you put in now is what will set you apart in the long run.
