The importance of acting with abandon has dawned on me. Professors always say during class showings that "this isn't the performance, so it doesn't have to be
just right at this moment" and I always try to do that but it's difficult, of course. We've been taught to please our teachers and authority figures since we were so young so it seems unnatural to just allow yourself to mess up in front of them.
I always tell myself
before I go up for a monologue or scene in class that it doesn't have to be “perfect” but I still usually end up
not letting go like I’d hoped to. As I've begun to grow here at college I've suddenly somehow just been able to gradually let myself go. I am now allowing myself to experiment and not care about the people watching. I am doing it for
me. I’m so glad I am finally able to
do that. In the end, it just makes you stronger and I think it makes it all more fun.
Step outside of your comfort zone. Be okay with being uncomfortable.
As a long time student of the Michael Chekhov Technique, I have finally learned what it is, or I should say, how it is, to work with out the approval/disapproval mind-set. It is a shift in perspective from wanting to do it "right", to working/playing for your own satisfaction. Are you satisfied with what you are doing. How does it feel to you. Not what are you feeling and are those feelings "right" (for we must never try to play a feeling), but are you satisfied with what you are doing. In the now. perhaps try to set more attainable goals. For example, "today in my scene work I am going to try to stay open to really receiving my partner", then try to keep with that choice, what ever choice it happens to be. And after wards check in and see if you are satisfied with what you were working with. You will begin (and be patient with yourself!) to own your work. For you!! Not for the approval of the teacher. You will begin to really take responsability for your own growth!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree completely and that was very well put! Thanks for your input! You sound very knowledgable and experienced- I'd love for you to submit a guest-writer posting! Check it out on a post from 2/20 that includes all of the info on how! :) (Also you're the first to ever comment on a post so *applause for you*)
DeleteLexis
DeleteThank you! I actually have been drafting one over the last couple of days.I hope to post it by tomorrow.
Great! Can't wait!
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