Whatever you struggle with in life, whatever your demons are; there is nothing you cannot use in your acting. Put all of it into your work. It’s all energy. By channelling your day to day difficulties into your acting you become the alchemist and you take what seems useless transforming it into gold.
“An actor must interpret life and in order to do so must be willing to accept all the experiences life has to offer. In fact, he must seek out more of life than life puts at his feet.” – James Dean
When we resist what is here, it has a way of getting in the way of acting. When we can allow what is here, the actor can transform. We can let go and express our deepest humanity.
ACTING AND LIFE.
WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
At the start of every rehearsal or performance, go inside and see what’s here. Instead of running away from it, be with it as it is. Roll it over into your character or acting scene and notice what happens. You may be surprised to find that by doing so, you have made space for something new.
Some acting schools tell actors to leave their life problems at the door and enter neutral. I think this is impossible first of all. We are always feeling and thinking. Energies are coursing through our veins. We need an outlet for them. Acting a character is the great expressive outlet that allows you the actor to put the drama on the stage instead of letting it impact your life in a negative way.
It’s all energy. It’s what you do with that energy that counts. As an actor you can tell the character’s story while using that personal energy as fuel for your character’s life, needs and internal conflicts.
This is one way acting and life can work together!
With love,
Cindy
Cindy Tanas Actors Studio teaches acting classes for Theatre and Film in Toronto and the GTA, Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay.