Acting Political: How do Performers Utilize Their Acting Background in Politics from Reagan to Trump

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to analyze how politicians with backgrounds in performance can use their previous acting training in politics. While doing so, the goal will also be to find out if it is really to the actor’s and their audience’s advantage. This will allow for the analysis of how their acting career is also utilized in their political performance for the country they serve. There are many well-deserved politicians that have spent years working diligently, paying their dues to get into politics, understanding how all the gears work together to run the country. A braver actor may feel confident enough to start out in this field later in life thinking that they can master this new skill easily because of a previously successful acting career. When a well-known actor has assumed a political position, this leaves the question of how well these actors are performing in their newfound role of politics. With this perspective, the question arises if this career change is just to help the actor hold onto some limelight as their acting career fades away or if it is indeed their new calling. The best way to find out if actors are on the right path within a career change is to see how performers utilize their theatrical training background in politics towards a political goal. Delving into their life before acting can also reveal if acting may have gotten in the way of a political career earlier in their life which may have led the actor on an even more successful, long-term political career. This path of research will also allow the thesis to tell us if their new calling is intrinsic to the political realm. With these different objectives the thesis will aim for a thorough analysis resulting in a well-founded answer based on all these above aspects being put together.