Tom Stokes | The Persistence Performer: Why rejection never gets easier—and why that's a good thing

In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G sits down with actor Tom Stokes, whose career has spanned theatre, film, and television, to explore the realities of pursuing a life in the arts. What begins as a conversation about performance quickly becomes an honest reflection on rejection, persistence, creativity, and the courage required to keep showing up when success is never guaranteed.Tom shares stories from his early years in Perth, the teachers and mentors who encouraged him to pursue acting, and the decision to commit fully to the craft without a backup plan. He opens up about the challenges of breaking into the industry, navigating periods of uncertainty, and learning how to separate personal worth from professional rejection. Along the way, he reveals how some of the opportunities that felt like devastating setbacks ultimately led to the most significant breakthroughs in his career.The conversation also dives into his latest production, Anna X, a provocative stage play inspired by the true story of Anna Delvey. Together, Andrew and Tom explore the themes of ambition, status, social media, deception, and the growing tension between who we are and who we present ourselves to be online.Ultimately, this episode is about resilience, embracing uncertainty, and trusting that persistence—not perfection—is often what shapes a meaningful creative life.