Michelle Odinet, an accomplished theater actress rooted in the cultural richness of New Orleans, has built her career on her deep understanding of the human experience. With a foundation in theatrical arts from Louisiana State University and a career spanning across stage, film, and television, Michelle’s advice to aspiring actors is clear: emotional presence and genuine connection are the heart of every great performance.
1. Be Fully Present in Every Scene
For Michelle Odinet, emotional presence is the cornerstone of every powerful performance. She believes that actors must be fully present, both physically and emotionally, in every moment of their work. This presence allows the actor to immerse themselves fully in the role, ensuring that each scene feels authentic and engaging for the audience.
“Acting is about being in the moment,” Michelle explains. “You have to let go of distractions and fully engage with the scene, the character, and the emotions. When you’re fully present, the audience can feel it. That’s when the magic happens.”
Michelle advises actors to practice mindfulness and focus techniques to help them stay grounded and emotionally available during performances. By staying fully engaged with the present moment, actors can tap into a deeper level of authenticity and emotional truth.
2. Connect with Your Scene Partners
One of Michelle’s most important pieces of advice is to prioritize building a genuine connection with your scene partners. Acting is rarely a solo endeavor, and for Michelle, the chemistry between actors is essential to creating a believable and emotionally resonant performance. She emphasizes the need to listen to your scene partners, respond honestly, and create a sense of mutual trust.
“Acting is about relationships,” says Michelle. “Whether it’s a love scene, a fight, or an emotional confrontation, the connection between you and your scene partner is what brings the scene to life. Listen to them, respond to their energy, and be open to where the scene takes you.”
Michelle encourages actors to build strong relationships with their fellow cast members off-stage as well, as this sense of camaraderie and trust will naturally translate into more authentic performances on-stage or on-screen.
3. Feel Before You Perform
Michelle Odinet strongly believes that acting is more than just reciting lines or hitting marks—it’s about feeling and embodying the emotions of the character before delivering the performance. For her, it’s essential that actors connect emotionally with their characters and the scene, allowing themselves to feel the weight of the moment before performing.
“Don’t just play the emotions—feel them,” Michelle advises. “If your character is angry, sad, or joyful, you have to tap into those emotions yourself. The audience will only believe the emotion if you believe it first.”
Michelle’s advice to actors is to take time before each scene to center themselves and connect with the character’s emotional state. Whether it’s through visualization, emotional recall, or breathing exercises, actors can deepen their emotional connection and deliver more powerful performances.
4. Allow Yourself to Be Vulnerable
Vulnerability is one of the most difficult yet essential aspects of acting, according to Michelle. She believes that actors must be willing to expose their own vulnerabilities and emotional complexities in order to create authentic, moving performances. For Michelle, the willingness to be emotionally raw is what separates good actors from great ones.
“Vulnerability is where the real magic of acting happens,” Michelle explains. “When you let down your guard and allow yourself to be emotionally exposed, you create something real and raw. The audience connects with that vulnerability because it’s honest.”
Michelle encourages actors to embrace their own emotional insecurities and fears, and to use those feelings to inform their performances. By allowing themselves to be vulnerable, actors can bring greater depth and realism to their roles, creating an emotional bond with the audience.
5. Use Your Body as a Tool for Emotional Expression
In addition to emotional presence, Michelle emphasizes the importance of physicality in acting. She believes that an actor’s body is a powerful tool for conveying emotions and enhancing the performance. By being mindful of posture, movement, and physical energy, actors can deepen the emotional impact of their performance.
“Your body communicates just as much as your voice,” Michelle says. “Every movement, gesture, and facial expression adds to the emotional weight of the scene. Learn to use your body to express emotions in ways that go beyond words.”
Michelle advises actors to practice body awareness and movement exercises to develop a stronger physical connection with their characters. By aligning their body language with their emotional state, actors can create performances that are not only emotionally compelling but visually dynamic as well.
In Conclusion: Emotional Presence and Connection as the Foundation of Acting
Michelle Odinet’s advice to actors centers on the importance of emotional presence and genuine connection. Whether it’s through being fully present in a scene, building relationships with scene partners, or allowing yourself to be emotionally vulnerable, Michelle believes that the heart of every great performance lies in the actor’s ability to connect deeply with their emotions and their character.
As the talented actress puts it, “Acting is about feeling and connecting—with yourself, with your scene partners, and with the audience. When you’re fully present and emotionally open, you create something that’s real, raw, and unforgettable.”