Besty has noted the two big schools of theatre present in our American mainstream: Do we watch ourselves onstage and do something exactly the same? Or do we just "wing" it, and be as alive as possible?
That seems to be the debate. I'm just going to share what I prefer, because I really want to participate in this discussion:
I find that present, alive, and truly spontaneous actors are far more interesting. They are not watching themselves every step of the way... But the best of those are the ones that find a balance, where they can feel 8, but show 10. So they watch themselves a bit... they find a balance of presence in the role, and the artist still being able to craft.
I believe, personally, that theatre should be spontaneous (truly). It's alive, real, palpable. Film is the same every time, theatre is not (to me there isn't much point in seeing a live show if it's exactly the same night after night...I should want to return).
I suppose my philosophy stems from the naturalists, most notably Strindberg. In his preface to "Miss Julie," he noted that he wanted the actors to paraphrase the words of their monologues because only they could truly know the exact needs and processes of order that were called for on a
particular night. The writer, to Strindberg, provides a map for the actor who is actually there. He cannot ever know what will be needed for individual audiences. A lot of power for an actor, for sure.
My stemming is just that...stemming, loosely based. In today's age, I see the need to follow the text (unless I were to do "Miss Julie", because I'd certainly respect the wishes of the playwright). I believe that through working specifically through rehearsal, the show becomes so ingrained in the body that it can be played with and tweaked (within reason of the direction) at each performance. The show can then be more than a long-running war-horse, and instead a living, breathing thing that continues to shift and move. To me, I should want to go back to a show over and over to see what tomorrow will bring. What does the show mean TODAY, to THIS particular audience? And how can the actors make the audience rise to the occasion, rather than passively watching the show through an imaginary window, needing to be pampered?
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
Updated On: 6/21/11 at 11:29 PM
