SOLVED. World that ban acting (Fantasy) [s]

[Li]

Read this book in 2013. I remembered that the book was quite new or recent. Setting is in a fictional world, somewhat medieval. Genre is fantasy, demographic is children/YA.

It's about a world that bans humans from acting on grounds that acting out a character makes a human no longer a human. Although humans are prohibited from acting, the non-humans (not sure dwarf or gnome or what) are not prevented from doing so. The dwarves often held theatrical performances and people still sneaked to watch despite the ban.

Protagonist (shortened to P henceforth) was an orphan. Once during an errand, he went to watch one of he performance and was asked to be a volunteer on the performance. At that moment, something changed in him (not sure what). Authorities stormed the performance. P got away with the dwarves help. He would have been persecuted because he took part in the play.

Flashback: P had a brother who wanted to join some acting troupe. P's brother went missing sometime ago.

Continuing the story, turns out that there is some basis to the "Acting ban" ruling. It makes them susceptible to being possessed. The orphanage headmistress had been mind-controlling all the other orphans and wanted them to bring P back while P is on the run. All except one girl. Seems like the girl knows about the mind control and for some reason, she was not being controlled. For some reason, the orphanage headmistress wanted to mind-control P and his missing brother. The girl lets P off. P eventually goes on and join the dwarves acting troupe (they had previously invited him to be a permanent actor).

I don't know what happens next.

I really want to find this book so that I can finish it. Thanks.

[Tab]

Goblin Secrets ?

[Li]

Yes! That's the one! Thank you so much! ^^