Students from the Acting Department of the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) came together with renowned actor Volkan Severcan, known for his work in theatre, cinema, television and voice acting, during a webinar. Entitled “The Positioning of Acting at the Intersection of Industries”, the webinar explored the diverse professional opportunities within acting, the dynamics of the industry and the impact of emerging technologies on the performing arts.
During the webinar, Severcan shared insights from his 43-year career, reflecting on his experiences at Istanbul City Theatres, Dormen Theatre and various other theatre companies, as well as his work in cinema, television, voice acting and education. He emphasised that acting training extends beyond the stage, providing transferable skills that can be applied across different areas of the creative industries.
The webinar continued with questions from students, exploring national and international career opportunities in acting, different professional practices within the industry and the transition from education to professional life. Drawing on examples from major cultural centres such as New York, London and Istanbul, Severcan highlighted the importance of gaining an understanding of different sectors and working environments. He encouraged students to pursue continuous learning, gain experience across different disciplines and establish long-term career goals. Emphasising the importance of reading, disciplined practice and personal development, he stated that “Talent needs to be trained.”
Another key topic was the distinction between theatre and screen acting. Severcan argued that acting is fundamentally a single discipline, while theatre, cinema, television and voice acting each require different technical knowledge and approaches. Responding to students' questions about diction and voice acting, he also highlighted the importance of breathing techniques, phonetics and the conscious use of voice in professional development.
The webinar also addressed artificial intelligence, digital platforms and changing viewing habits. Severcan noted that technological developments are transforming the acting profession and expressed his belief that live performances and theatre would become increasingly valuable as digital content continues to expand.
The webinar concluded with an interactive discussion, offering students valuable perspectives on the opportunities available across different sectors and the importance of continuous professional development.
Watch the full webinar here:
During the webinar, Severcan shared insights from his 43-year career, reflecting on his experiences at Istanbul City Theatres, Dormen Theatre and various other theatre companies, as well as his work in cinema, television, voice acting and education. He emphasised that acting training extends beyond the stage, providing transferable skills that can be applied across different areas of the creative industries.
The webinar continued with questions from students, exploring national and international career opportunities in acting, different professional practices within the industry and the transition from education to professional life. Drawing on examples from major cultural centres such as New York, London and Istanbul, Severcan highlighted the importance of gaining an understanding of different sectors and working environments. He encouraged students to pursue continuous learning, gain experience across different disciplines and establish long-term career goals. Emphasising the importance of reading, disciplined practice and personal development, he stated that “Talent needs to be trained.”
Another key topic was the distinction between theatre and screen acting. Severcan argued that acting is fundamentally a single discipline, while theatre, cinema, television and voice acting each require different technical knowledge and approaches. Responding to students' questions about diction and voice acting, he also highlighted the importance of breathing techniques, phonetics and the conscious use of voice in professional development.
The webinar also addressed artificial intelligence, digital platforms and changing viewing habits. Severcan noted that technological developments are transforming the acting profession and expressed his belief that live performances and theatre would become increasingly valuable as digital content continues to expand.
The webinar concluded with an interactive discussion, offering students valuable perspectives on the opportunities available across different sectors and the importance of continuous professional development.
Watch the full webinar here: