Seriously? Not a single dollar. Not one. (listening to: Our prior heads of state weeping in the afterlife because a grassroots organization to make the world a better place couldn't get motivated.)
Alright, so, maybe this blog ain't so great at fundraising. That's fine. I see how it is. No, No.. don't go back to the last post and give me some pity money. It's alright. I'll settle for driving the old and busted around. I didn't want the New Hotness anyway.
So, my show opens this week. This whole experience has been a real lesson in the question: "What is an actor?" Seriously, what is it that we do? From day one in all of our training, we have it drilled into our head that the director is the brains of the operation. All decisions both artistic and technical rest with them. And in the end, it's their show, sink or swim. But what do you do when you're being asked to do something that seems so counter-intuitive to the piece of work you're presenting? I mean, does the average theatergoer have the wherewithall to look at an actor doing something NOT interesting and say, "Wow... the director really screwed up this moment." HELLS no. They're going to say, "Man.. that actor just doesn't get it." And now *I* look bad.
Yes, I realize that this is fairly egocentric. Yes, I realize that the performance isn't about ME. But, dammit, there are certain things that are interesting, and certain things that are not. And I've been doing this for a while now, and I'm pretty sure my instincts are at least leaning towards correct. Basically, my question boils down to this: As an actor, do I give the director what they want, knowing that it will lead to a less-interesting show; or do I pretend that I just don't get what they want me to do, and play the actual arc of the script? Help. Help now.
In other news, I'm avoiding a topic purposefully. It's too soon. The memory still too raw. Anything I'd say wouldn't do it justice. I'm smoking a lot more lately. What kind of sense does that make?
Do me a favor. Tell someone who matters to you that you love them today. Even if it's just one person. Tell them so they know.
FOLLOW YOUR BLISS...
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2 comments:
Can I say I love you? You DO mean a lot to me, and even though we have only known eachother for a short while, I really feel like we have a strong friendship.
Yeah, I have no money to give you for your New Hotness. I just bought my OWN New Hotness and have to start paying for it soon.
AS for the show. I think it is the actor's responsibility to keep their eye on the show and how they are contributing. And to push the envelope. Make bold decisions. And if the director doesn't approve, try something else. It is once you wait for the director to tell you what to do and you get stuck doing something you don't want to do. Or don't think should be done. Regardless of how much the show then does or does not suck, at least you are doing something interesting. And the audience will approve. Or at least have something interesting to look at.
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