The subject of actor training is an ongoing and evolutionary process. Ideas presented subjectively and objectively by all manner of actors, professionals, teachers, trainers and coaches continue to circulate and provoke debate. To debate whether or not acting is a craft and whether or not it can be taught may be a distraction to a more central question: from what philosphical standpoint should actor training be based?
I feel it is an important and fundamental part of my work to develop a bedrock philosophy to actor training that is universalist and inclusivist in nature. A philosphy that works to acknowledge and respect the “work of the tribe”. One that might embrace principles that are fundamental to the human experience, principles that are not divisive but rather, ones that represent open mindedness leaving room for expansion and growth. It is necessary to express the understanding that life and acting are not separate; they are beautifully intertwined. When we examine our processes and attitudes towards Acting and our attitudes and ways of processing in Life, we realise that to work on one is to work on the other. Like all things they are connected. Hence the title of this blog: Life in Acting: Acting in Life.
The philosophy behind the actor training being developed begins with a respect for the universality of the human experience and within this universality the infinite uniqueness of the individual. Embracing the paradox of the “universality of uniqueness” is the first of many principles upon which this philosophy is built. Within the human experience there exists fundamental and universal truths, the expression of these truths is in turn represented in a seemingly infinite number of ways. It is imperative that we develop both a respect for our indivdual uniqueness and the universality of the experience called Life.
Forexample: no matter how hard we try we can never make two moments in time be exactly the same. We are always held in the moment of now, which is universaly true. Every moment of human expression is uniquely different to the last moment in some way. Which is also universaly true.
In creative expression we sometimes attempt to force each moment to be a certain way and often become exhausted working against the very nature of life which is not to be controled but rather exists to be discovered.
