The Truth Behind Ambiguous Acting Advice 3

Photo by Vagina Monologues East Bay 2011 cast member Blake

I panicked after scanning the most recent rehearsal feedback provided to me by our Vagina Monologues directors. Why? Because their email opened with:

“What happened this Sunday? You totally and completely changed the performance 180 degrees, you threw out our directions, you threw out all the original blocking…”

I thought about all the work I had put into it since we first started rehearsing, all the work that had gotten it to the place it was the week before–a place our directors said they loved. Who did I think I was and how did I so unconsciously throw that hard work out the window?

Then I read: “…you F’ing OWNED IT! It was great! Whatever happened, we loved the ownership you found with this piece and its new meaning.”

I was stumped. Our directors’ message was incongruent: I had changed everything they asked me to do, and yet they liked it. I read their email a couple more times and then ripped off a response explaining my surprise at the transition and expressing my hope that it didn’t change much more between last Sunday, our next rehearsal, and our upcoming shows.

Later that day–yesterday–I went to my acting class. And as synchronicity would have it, Elaine gave us permission to be different; she reminded us that actors feel different every day and therefore bring something new to their scripts every time.

It instantly clicked. Because I had invested the time and energy into learning the lines, taking them on as a part of myself, I naturally got to a place where I unconsciously trusted myself with the words.

It’s a phenomenon that teachers, coaches, and fellow actors explain in what seems like such an ambiguous manner—“Just let it happen.” “Trust yourself.” “Don’t think about it.” To the novice actor, those ambiguous tips are utterly frustrating! But now, I’m slowly nodding my head as I begin to see their truth. This is a process and you have to give it the time and heart it deserves.

What tips, methodology, or experiences have you had that enabled you to trust yourself and put life into a script?

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