So lately I've been experiencing some expected life melancholy. I'm not participating in a production as an actor, but I'm assistant directing, and it's a production I really wanted to be a part of (Othello), so I'm dealing with being so close to the part I really wanted, and just through reflecting over the things I've done, I've just felt really down about the roles I've gotten to play.
But today I had an epiphany.
I was sitting after rehearsal, and the main cast ( Othello, Iago, Emilia, and Desdemona) were working. They started out by running lines, and working some scenes, but after a while they started just talking. They were talking, as themselves, but also as their characters. they were just, talking and working through situation, and why they do the things they do. At one point the actors playing Iago and Emelia even started talking about the sexual aspects that they felt their characters had.
Now I realize that this is all stuff we should know about our characters, and stuff like that, but I just found watching them to be completely memorizing. I didn't really have a reason to be their, everyone had left including the director and the theater was practically black, yet I couldn't pry my butt off the seat. I sat for like 2 hours listening to them.
And I realized that, that was part of why I haven't been satisfied with my work.
I haven't had a roll, or a chance, where I was able to be a part of such a collaboration of minds, and ideas. Sure I'd worked through stuff on my own, or in rehearsal, but it was all centered towards the directors wishes.
I hadn't gotten to really develop a character like that, to work off of others.

What do you all think? Is working and collaborating really the answer? Is it potentially the best acting approach one could use?
All I know, is watching them made me realize, that I want the chance to do that...

They say theater is the best training. I haven't done it, but it sounds like you got a taste of the benefits.

Classes are a must. I've been out of class for 6 months for financial reasons and it's driving me f'ing batty.

I'm sorry, but I don't agree that classes are a must (at least not for the long run). I think what a must is, is DOING IT! (stage and film). Continually working your craft...that is the way of the walk.

Working off of other actors Snuff is the best way to grow and enjoy yourself as an actor. Actors can not work in a void (that is why I hate monologues). And working with another talented actor is a sure-fire way to improve your own understanding of the craft...plus it's just plain enjoyable.

Even though film and stage have unique vibes and atmospheres, actors are most at home when they are around other actors--meaning whether we are in a play or a film, if you truly love acting, being on set is the best place to be. Of course, we all hope and pray we aren't stuck working with an egotistical a**. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the mood of a set.

Hello,

About once a week a well trained actor calls my school wondering why they haven't gotten booked in a couple of years on any significant job. What they generally have in common is that they stopped working on their process quite awhile ago. Their sense of what is going on their work has been degraded by the pressures of booking and by the destructive feedback they receive by people who don't know much about acting process.

The business is corrupting to the creative process. Basically all good actors I know, and of course I'm not just talking about people who study with me, stay in their process in some fashion -- throughout their careers. If they can afford it, the best have top notch private coaches. Or they are regularly in a challenging class. Personally, I can't imagine "doing it" with no active relationship with a teacher of some sort.

In fact, my teaching suffers if I'm not continually doing my own work with my own teachers. These days, I have to go outside the acting class world to learn about creativity, because I've done so much studying the traditional methods.

The idea that the study of acting is something you "Master" and then just "do it" is a delusion that has contributed to many talented actors either not going very far, or backsliding in their work and careers. Habits develop easily, and the work can be shallow without one even realizing it.

And here is the main issue, the reason you keep an active relationship with some kind of teacher is because often when you backslide, you don't realize it. CDs sometimes say the strangest things in auditions, so do agents and managers, other actors say the strangest things, directors say the strangest things...critics say the strangest things. The experts on the DYNAMICS and INGREDIENTS of great acting are the best acting teachers and coaches -- not any of those in the other previously mentioned categories.

One benefit of having an on-going relationship with someone who knows your work and what you are capable of is that it is insurance against unconsciously backsliding -- which again, happens all the time, even to the best actors.

We've all seen it happen to super stars...some get themselves out of it, with a coach/teacher.

To pretend you Master acting and "just do it" is to tell all these great actors and all the great teachers that they are all wrong. Such arrogance doesn't usually serve aspiring actors.

Humility does, staying in the process does. Understanding that the study of acting is the study of human behavior helps, because the study of human behavior is a life-long process. It is the continual questioning of what it is to be a human being. It is "waking ourselves up" over and over and over again. Culture and routine tend to put us back to sleep. Focusing on booking and networking can put us fast asleep.

The idea that one is "awakened" and then stays that way just by doing it is an idea that might sound cool or trendy, or make one feel confident, but it doesn't have that much to do with the understand of deep artistic process.

Is my aim to rattle some cages here? Absolutely. I'm writing to all the readers, well aware the ideas of the great acting teachers don't go over well with some.

- Jason

You make awesome points JB, and clearly you are intelligent and experienced. I agree with much of what you say.

You never 'master' acting--it is a continual process--this I understand completely.

I'm glad to see that you yourself are being taught by a teacher. It's funny...where does the teaching end? Who teaches your teacher? Bacchus? Oannes?

I think having a coach may be a good thing. It's nice to bounce your craft-thoughts off of someone who is trustworthy and experienced. Sometimes it's hard to step away from ourselves, and a coach can do that. Sometimes I think though, these 'coaches' can easily become 'life coaches', and herein lies a problem. I've lost several friends to 'acting teachers' who are also 'life coaches'...they are cults. They are told not to talk about the class to anyone (even other members of the class!!!) Scary.

I do agree, after hearing your thoughts JB, that finding a trustworthy instructor can be beneficial to an actor...but let's face it, finding a proper match, and a quality instructor is very difficult--and many people suffer greatly by bad choices, and simple ignorance.

And whether I can be considered seasoned or not...my advice has worked well for me (in terms of growth and indie work). No, I'm not a star, but I do not want to be a star. I want to do cool projects, and keep busy...and that I am doing. In my experience, I've learned more from the act of DOING...then the act of taking classes. Is it a slippery slope?

By the way...'backsliding?' I think that's an industry word that spins around the vortex of acting instruction. It's a bit of a kitschy word...if you get my meaning. It's like using the word 'going forward' in a corporate meeting.

I do not mean to be arrogant at all. I can see where individual coaching can be beneficial (with the right match). I'm mainly speaking of community acting classes that cater to ignorant individuals wanted to be a star.

Let us keep these two separate. A solid, wise coach is a wonderful thing to have...public acting classes...not so much. Again, my opinion.

I do not, however, believe that one NEEDS constant coaching to keep themselves awake. If an actor falls asleep (backslides, so to speak), then they need a change...not a psychiatrist (aka. life coach/acting coach). New projects have an amazing ability to breath new life into an actor...it's a constant process. And LIFE LIFE LIFE has an amazing ability to keep us growing, and keep us thriving. Not all great actors kept constant bookings in their calender with their acting coach.

You have a lot of great things to say JB, and you sound like a quality teacher, one I would most certainly audit. But I will never change my mind about one thing: the art of doing is the best way to learn.

Cheers.