Amir Arison | Making Friends with Your Anxiety

The Lesson: 

Perhaps it's no surprise that professional acting takes a toll on one's emotions, but taking over the roles of emotionally-troubled characters is all the more challenging. What can professional actors share to others about confronting despair of the past, gratitude for the present, and anxiety of the future?

Notable Excerpt:

"I heard this once, I made friends with my anxiety and turned it into my engine. But you have to be careful because it can sometimes overpower and then worry will steal (your energy). Anxiety and anxiousness is something I've always worked with to move myself forward... When you're in a more vulnerable place, gratitude can hit you like a Mack truck—the attitude of gratitude is the key to daily living (or at least) it certainly helps when you get off track."

The Guest:

Amir Arison is a well known actor, director and activist. Best known for his work on the NBC/Sony/Netflix international hit series The Blacklist as tech-wizard Aram Mojtabai. Other TV credits include recurring & guest appearances on Law & Order: SVU, American Horror Story, as well as many others including the current HULU limited series THE DROPOUT.

He is the recipient of the Mendez Award from MIFF, given to an individual in the entertainment industry who uses their platform to give back. He currently teaches workshops and directs/performs for multiple organizations including The New School, Pace University, YoungArts, United Arts Partnership, NBC director’s diversity showcase, Broadway for All, Broadway Workshop, Bridge Builders, Hole-In-The-Wall-Gang-Camp, and Angelight Films.

Be on the lookout this Summer and Fall 2022,  where Amir will be starring on Broadway as 'Amir' in The Kite Runner. 

Episode Resources:

Amir Arison | Instagram

Amir Arison | Facebook

Amir Arison | Twitter

Kite Runner | On Broadway