An actor and a friend whom I've been coaching for over a decade, Cyril Guei, once shared a profound insight that continues to resonate with me to this day. He commended my willingness to admit, "I don't know," emphasising how it fosters an environment where I am receptive to each actor's unique approach to acting.
I have often lost contact with myself, and I lost significant ground. But even then, the goal remained intact: to understand my psyche, to understand the human psyche, to meet my freedom, and to undergo what it takes for human beings to meet their freedom.
It's crucial for actors and artists to have Clarity, Meaning, & Purpose when stepping into the unknown for rehearsals or performances. We don’t simply dive into uncertainty hoping for something to happen!
All of Us Strangers portrays beautifully the unmet needs of our inner child. The immense need to nurture ourselves with the care we never received. Will any level of nurturing ever suffice, as the child within us, now grown, still carries unresolved needs from infancy?
We often think that we know what we want and who we truly are. And not surprisingly, most times through this deep inquiry, we come to understand that our choices lie mainly within the context of our societal, political, financial, educational, and personal backgrounds. When one human is way beyond any of that.
Whether on stage or set, envision being fully connected to your inner self, drawing from within regardless of external circumstances. Key to this autonomy is the immersive practice of embodiment—engaging body, mind, and emotions in a symphony of expression.
If politicians did their jobs right, our world could be an entirely different place. Yet, here I am, connecting with the political realm, society, and the planet through my own work. It's a daunting task, and the enormity of it all can be overwhelming.
The power of a performance lies in the performer’s ability to make the audience believe in the character and the world they inhabit. A fundamental aspect of achieving this, is having a deep connection and ownership of the script.