Après TFS - Amanda Giles '08
In this edition of Après TFS, we catch up with actor, singer, writer and Class of 2008 grad, Amanda Giles.
TFS: Please describe the path you took after TFS.
AMANDA GILES: Although it wasn’t my original plan, I took a gap year after TFS. Halfway through Level V, my mom encouraged me to consider the arts as a viable path—something I hadn’t really seen modeled around me. I’m really grateful for that conversation because it gave me the push to try.
So, I deferred my university offers and spent the year taking the SATs, performing in five shows around Toronto, and brushing up on piano and dance. I’d trained in classical opera for years but fell in love with musical theatre around 15 and didn’t want to lose the singing. At the time, there were no musical theatre degree programs in Canada, so I applied to U.S. schools. I got into a conservatory in Chicago and moved there in 2009 to attend The Chicago College of Performing Arts.
Since graduating, I’ve been a working actor in Chicago and beyond. About a decade ago, I started a somatic mentorship and coaching business, which helps sustain me between acting jobs. In recent years, I’ve written two books, launched a podcast, and begun releasing original music. I like having my hand in many different creative spaces.
TFS: What does a typical day look like for you?
AMANDA GILES: I don’t really have a typical day, but what is consistent is how I start the day. I always make time for myself in the morning: I walk my dog through the park next to my home, have a good meal and journal. If I’m feeling creative, I’ll lean into it by playing piano, writing or letting ideas flow. From there, it depends. Some days I have client sessions or meetings; others, I spend time with friends or work on personal projects. If I’m in a show, I head to rehearsals at night. If I have a gig, I’m performing. I really like that every day looks different.
TFS: What gives you the most satisfaction in your work?
AMANDA GILES: I feel satisfied by all of it. I love that my work doesn’t feel like “just work,” but something that fills my cup too. Having that balance is what’s most fulfilling. Doing the same thing every day wouldn’t work for me. The arts are always shifting. In theatre, I might spend months on a play or musical, then move on to something new. On stage, I could be performing original poetry one night and singing with new collaborators the next. My downtime is flexible and self-directed.
Each part: acting, coaching, performing and writing, nourishes me in different ways. Without one, something would feel missing. This isn’t the typical model we were shown growing up, of working one job and having the same routine forever. I always wondered how people did that, and now I know I don’t have to.
TFS: How did your experience at TFS help you get to where you are now?
AMANDA GILES: The social side of TFS had a huge impact on me. I was lucky to be in a class with all kinds of people and was a 'floater' socially, moving between different groups. That flexibility modeled what my future work life would be like, where I now wear many hats. I'm still friends with many of them today, and I think that feeling of acceptance—of not being made to feel weird for doing things differently— gave me so much confidence.
Being immersed in multiple languages early on also had a big effect. I sang a lot of opera growing up, which requires singing in different languages. That felt accessible because of the languages I learned at school. That foundation gave me the confidence to pursue singing seriously, which led to everything else I do.
TFS: How has French language and bilingualism impacted your career?
AMANDA GILES: Living in the U.S. for 16 years, it’s actually my Spanish I use most. I took Spanish as my IB optional language, but it wouldn’t have come as easy without the strong French foundation. As for French, I don’t use it much day-to-day, but I’m grateful for how it shaped my brain early on. That early language exposure was formative and influenced how I think and learn.
TFS: What skills or lessons from TFS do you find yourself applying most often in your work?
AMANDA GILES: The biggest lesson I took from TFS was the emphasis on hard work, that if you keep showing up and putting in effort, something will come of it. As a performer, you hear “no” more than “yes.” For every ten auditions, I might get one callback. So, you need a thick skin and strong work ethic.
I also think about the intellectual side and especially the teachers who impacted me. Krista Brinza, who taught History and Theory of Knowledge, shaped how I think about history—contextualizing the past, analyzing sources and questioning dominant narratives. This informs my social justice-focused work as an artist.
Whether choosing performances or creating new work, I consider how it fits the cultural and historical moment. That critical thinking foundation came from TFS.
TFS: What was your most memorable experience at TFS?
TFS: What advice would you give to current students?
TFS: What was your most memorable experience at TFS?
AMANDA GILES: That’s a hard question. Many memories come to mind, but three really stand out.
First, I never thought of myself as sporty, but my best friend convinced me to try out for the volleyball team in my last two years, and I loved it. I was getting up at 5 a.m. for practice, which was so unlike me. I’m grateful she pushed me; it became much bigger than just spending time together.
Another standout memory was our school production of Deadwood Dick—a wild, ridiculous Western play. We embraced the chaos, laughed a lot and it was fun to flex my theatre muscles at school!
And then the third memory is from Level II, when we went on an exchange trip to France. That whole experience was unforgettable. Not just traveling but then having our exchange student come live with us afterward. It was such an impactful opportunity, and I’m grateful TFS made that possible.
Sports, theatre and travel—very different experiences, but all meaningful. I love that TFS offered that variety.
TFS: What advice would you give to current students?
AMANDA GILES: I’d say try things. Don’t get stuck in a box. I know you have to choose your courses pretty early, but there are so many clubs and extracurriculars at TFS. Take advantage of them. Step outside your usual friend group. Join new activities. Learn from different people.
Give yourself permission to explore and try things on for size. You might discover something that fits better than you expected. The earlier you start pushing your boundaries, the more you find out what you’re capable of and you might stumble on a passion you didn’t know you had. If I could give one piece of advice, it’s to give yourself space to explore. You might be surprised by what lights you up.
TFS: What do you wish you had known while at TFS that could have better prepared you for life after graduation?
AMANDA GILES: I wish I’d known that success doesn’t have to look traditional. That it’s okay—and more than okay—for success to look different. Back then, I had a narrow idea of success. It had to be a certain job, income or life. I wish I’d seen more examples of people taking unconventional paths. For me, success has come through following an untraditional route in every way, and it’s been the most fulfilling choice. I would have loved to hear you don’t have to fit the mold. You get to define success on your own terms.
