What does it really mean to build a life as a working actor? In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Lisa is joined by Emile Clarke - an actor, theatre educator and headshot photographer whose work spans performance, teaching, touring and creating new stories. Lisa and Emile go back to their youth theatre days, and that shared history gives the episode a warm, reflective quality. The conversation moves through the practical realities of the industry, but also into something deeper: how actors come to understand themselves, how young performers can be supported well, and why representation and authenticity matter so much in the stories we tell.
Episode overview
Emile begins by talking about his identity as an actor and his experience of being neurodivergent, with ADHD and dyslexia. He reflects on how diagnosis helped him understand himself more clearly, and how that understanding now shapes the way he teaches and facilitates drama spaces. Rather than treating difference as a barrier, Emile and Lisa explore how curiosity, energy and different ways of thinking can become valuable creative tools when they are supported well. For parents of young performers, this part of the conversation is a useful reminder that the right environment can make an enormous difference. The episode then moves into life on tour. Emile talks about performing in Murder She Didn’t Write, an improvised murder mystery where the cast create the show live from audience suggestions. He also shares the practical reality of scripted touring, including early starts, get-ins, warm-ups, performances, get-outs and travel. It is exciting, but it is also physically and emotionally demanding. One of the clearest messages is that touring is not just about the time on stage. Travel, preparation, company dynamics and the ability to muck in are all part of the job. Emile encourages actors to understand their own needs, requests and boundaries, especially when they are working closely with others over long periods.
Key themes from the conversation
- Self-knowledge matters. Emile returns several times to the importance of understanding who you are, what helps you work well, and what gets in your way.
- Safe creative spaces help actors take risks. In teaching, Emile values rooms where people can play, collaborate, fail, learn and try again without shame.
- Auditions are about strong choices. Emile encourages actors to make bold, committed decisions, while staying open enough to adjust when given direction.
- Headshots are for casting, not just for you. A strong headshot should feel clear, confident and authentic. It needs to help casting directors understand what you might bring into a room.
- Actors need to stay in their power. Emile talks about knowing your values, recognising when an opportunity comes at a cost, and not handing all your power over to the industry.
- Representation changes how stories land. Through his own work, including Adventures in Hidden History, Emile is interested in stories that allow more people to see themselves reflected.
Auditions, training and the freedom to fail
One of the most useful sections for young actors is Emile’s approach to auditions. He talks about storytelling, choice and commitment, and shares an imaginary flag he uses when teaching:
“Make a strong choice.”
For actors who worry about getting it “right”, this is a freeing idea. An audition does not have to be perfect to be interesting. A clear choice gives the panel something to respond to, and it shows that the actor is engaged, curious and willing to play. Emile also speaks openly about learning lines as someone with ADHD and dyslexia. He explains that it can take more work, but that the extra investigation can also lead to a deeper understanding of the text. Lisa reflects on her own experience of needing more time with lines too, making this part of the episode especially reassuring for performers who feel they learn differently from others. Another powerful teaching idea comes through Emile’s second imaginary flag:
“It’s okay to fail as long as you try.”
For young performers, that message is vital. Drama training should not be about avoiding mistakes. It should be about learning how to try, reflect, adjust and keep going.
Headshots, authenticity and being seen
As a headshot photographer, Emile brings a practical and actor-centred view of what makes a headshot work. He reminds listeners that headshots are not simply about choosing the photo where you look nicest. They are a tool for casting. The conversation touches on confidence, clarity, neutral backgrounds, simple clothing and the importance of showing something true. Emile is interested in headshots that help an actor feel castable, but also recognisably themselves. In a changing industry, he celebrates a move away from narrow archetypes and towards more nuanced, authentic casting.
Creating work and telling fuller stories
Towards the end of the episode, Emile talks about creating his own work through Adventures in Hidden History. The project grew from discovering historical figures he had not been taught about, and from a desire to tell stories that allow more people to feel included in history. That leads into a wider conversation about representation. Emile reflects on the importance of entering creative rooms as your whole self, and of telling stories that reach the people sitting in the audience who may rarely feel seen. For young actors, parents and adult learners, this episode is a rich reminder that the acting industry is not only about auditions and jobs. It is also about self-knowledge, community, creativity, resilience and the courage to bring more of yourself into the room. Listen to the full conversation for an honest, practical and generous look at building a creative life with curiosity and care.