Dear Ms. Wisdom

Someone recently told me that acting could help with social anxiety. I have never taken an acting class, and I feel nervous even thinking about it. Speaking in groups feels difficult, and I always worry about saying the wrong thing. I keep wondering if acting is actually helpful or if it would make my anxiety worse. Can acting truly help someone who experiences social anxiety?

– Socially Anxious

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[Read also: 3 Quick Tips for Getting Over Acting Class Anxiety | Teacup of Wisdom]

Dear Socially Anxious,

Someone told you that acting might help with social anxiety, and now you are here, trying to picture yourself in a room full of strangers while your entire nervous system screams, “Absolutely not.” I hear you. The idea sounds dramatic, and social anxiety does not love drama unless it is happening internally at three in the morning.

Please know…

Acting classes are one of the few social environments where you are allowed to be nervous.

Yet, you probably won’t be. It will be fun. From movement exercises to breathing and reading out loud, everyone there is making a little bit of a fool of themselves. Roleplaying is the best part: you get to lend your voice to a character and see a fellow actor do the same. No pressure.

Here is why acting can help:

Mistakes are part of the process. Acting class is one of the rare places where “messing up” is not a problem. Awkwardness is normal. Everyone is learning. There is something freeing about being in a room where nobody is waiting to judge you for being nervous. They are too focused on their own performance.

In fact, those small awkward moments are often what loosen everyone up. A scene goes sideways, someone forgets a line, someone laughs in the wrong place, and the tension breaks for the whole room. You start to realize that nothing terrible happens when things are imperfect. People breathe, reset, and keep going. That alone can take a heavy weight off your shoulders when you live with social anxiety.

You may think everyone os confident when you first sign up. But as soon as class starts, you see how nearly everyone is just as insecure as you are (did you know that most actors are deeply insecure?). And then, playing is the prescription. You leave your insecurity at the door – because you forgot you had it in the first place.

[Read also: Are Acting Classes Worth It? | Teacup of Wisdom]

Being present does not mean being perfect. Social anxiety is fueled by one idea: “What if I say the wrong thing?” Acting is different. You are not trying to say the right thing. You are trying to stay present, breathe, and respond. That shift—from perfection to presence—changes the way you feel and behave in social settings outside the classroom.

You start noticing it in small daily moments. A conversation feels a little easier. Speaking up does not drain you the way it used to. Your body recognizes the feeling of being listened to without pressure, because you practiced it in class. Bit by bit, that confidence follows you into the rest of your life, even on days when the social anxiety is loud.

One of the best exercises we do in acting class is paying attention to our breathing, our walking, the sound of our voice. Those moments creating a psychological bubble around ourselves tents to get us warmed up to burst out of it and start role playing.

You learn through play, not pressure. Acting classes have plenty of games and partner work. You breathe, make eye contact, and connect. These skills help anyone, not just actors. Many acting students do not pursue professional acting – they take classes for fun and to feel more confident. The connections you make – whether they become friendships or not – are meaningful. You social anxiety becomes a small issue, and its power gradually fades. 

Why you should try acting for your social anxiety:

Here is one good reason to sign up for a class: you will play. Social Anxiety? That gives you so much material to work with! It might as well be your superpower. I am not kidding. Use everything unique about you – even your social anxiety – as a skill. And have fun! You will see your interactions with other people as a daily playground once you start enjoying acting. So, what are you waiting for?

—  Teacup

[Read also: 3 Important Things To Do When Your Mental State Differs From The Character’s | Teacup of Wisdom]

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At Teacup of Wisdom, we share knowledge and insights about the entertainment industry from the actor’s point of view to inspire and empower your acting journey.