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To Konstance Tsoukalis, being an actress is more than what you do in front of the camera. It is a discipline that requires observing, having emotions, and staying grounded amid a highly unstable profession. Her commitment to the craft started at the tender age of seven in a small town in Pennsylvania, an hour and a half from Philadelphia, and several hours from New York City.
Konstance began her acting studies in New York at The Performing Option, a school for actors founded by Madelyn Burns, located at 7th Avenue, known for its nurturing, creative atmosphere. The dedication required her to take long train rides every week from Pennsylvania to New York City. She would have to skip school occasionally and complete coursework on the road to attend her acting classes.
Being the star of the movie Pressed as Gina has been a highlight of the actress’s career so far. The film was a great experience, building and expanding on what she has learned in her young career.
Konstance Tsoukalis‘s growth as an actress has come through her work on professional film sets, observing how these productions operate, serving as a supporting or background actor, and learning how these actors work behind the scenes. Being a background actor has given her insight into how other actors work behind the scenes, and everyone works at their own unique speed. She’s learned that there is no right way to act well except to be grounded.
“Watching other actors work taught me a lot. Everyone prepares differently, and seeing those approaches helped me expand how I think about my own acting.”
Authenticity in Auditions
Auditions are among the most important elements of the acting profession. Auditions are also among the most unpredictable. Due to the number of auditions that are sent for some roles, authenticity may be what sells an actor/actress.
Rather than approaching the audition with the intent to do something over-the-top, Konstance Tsoukalis attempts to make the performance as authentic as possible. Casting directors have the burden of watching multiple auditions at once, and small differences might be a chance to stand out.
“In my opinion, it’s when you do something a little out of the ordinary that it sticks. Casting directors watch so many auditions, so authenticity really helps leave an impression.”
Balancing Acting and Education
Besides her acting career, Konstance Tsoukalis is also pursuing her studies in finance. Although acting requires emotional thinking and imagination, finance, on the other hand, requires analytical thinking and a focus on detail. This balance has been a part of her life for a number of years, even as she went from place to place for her acting classes and auditions as a child.
“Finance challenges a different part of my brain,” Tsoukalis says. “It’s grounding in a way, and it’s taught me things that I can even apply to acting.”
Besides this, college life has also helped her get in touch with more people outside the film world. Interacting with people who have different goals and objectives has helped her understand the importance of a well-rounded life.
Staying Grounded Outside the Industry
Being grounded is also important in maintaining a sense of clarity as an actress, according to Tsoukalis. A large part of this is done through small actions that bring her mind back to home life. For her, one of these is cooking. She has recipes from her grandmother, who is from Greece, and she still uses these recipes even though she is in school. These recipes bring a sense of familiarity as her life gets busier and busier.
“Staying grounded gives you the mental clarity you need while acting,” she says. “Those moments help keep me connected to who I am.”
As Konstance Tsoukalis continues her acting career, her interest is still focused on opportunities that will allow her to portray the human experience. It is the complex and rich characterizations of the human experience that have continued to interest her. As long as she is able to bring discipline to her work and stay grounded in the world outside of it, Konstance Tsoukalis will flourish.
