From auditions to stardom, Mediaplanet sat down with Ray Ablack to unveil his acting journey and learn what aspiring actors can take away from his experience
Can you tell us about your journey in acting and how you got started in the career?
My parents were immigrants to Canada. When I look back, it’s very clear that they did their best to give me every opportunity that they didn’t have ‘back home’. They took me to musicals, movies, concerts and sporting events. They enrolled me in competitive hockey, singing and piano lessons, theatre camps, karate and performing arts high school. They took on second and third mortgages to support me and my siblings pursuing our passions. So, when I saw an ad in the newspaper for open auditions for The Lion King on stage, they were supportive again. I played Young Simba at age eleven and fell in love with theatre and film and TV.
What challenges did you face when pursuing acting and how did you overcome them?
Rejection in acting can be tough to handle. An actor’s tools are their body, image, interpretation, expression, preparation. Being rejected hurts because it can feel like your humanity is being denied. In truth, that isn’t really the case, there are variables involved in casting that go beyond any actor’s control. So, managing my mental health in this career has been important for me. It’s been helpful to maintain healthy habits and interests, outside of the industry. And, also having supportive and encouraging friends and family to lean on.
What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals looking to establish themselves?
I think what’s equally exciting and frustrating about creative industries is that there is no template to success. What worked for me might not work for someone else. The landscape is changing every day. There are new mediums emerging all the time. New social media, like Tiktok, interactive theatre, like Sleep No More, Zoom stand-up comedy – all could be tools or stages to exhibit your artistry. I’m most inspired by my little sister, Rebecca, who started her own theatre company, Small Friend, Tall Friend. She’s always out in the ‘scene’, looking to collaborate with talented, funny people. If I had any advice on how to establish yourself in a creative industry, it’s to do like Rebecca and actively make space and community for yourself.
