Developing a philosophy of actor training is an ongoing and evolutionary process. Ideas presented subjectively and objectively by all manner of professionals, teachers, trainers and coaches continue to circulate and provoke debate.
And so it is necessary to first articulate and develop a bedrock philosophy to actor training that seeks to be universalist and inclusivist in nature. A philosophy that works to acknowledge and respect the “work of the tribe”. It is necessary to seek out principles that are fundamental to the human experience. Principles that are by there nature, not divisive but rather represent open mindedness; principles that leave room for expansion and growth. It is important to express the understanding that life and acting are not separate or exclusive of one another, rather they are beautifully intertwined. When we examine our processes in acting craft or our attitudes to acting we realise that to work on one is to work on the other.
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 individual uniqueness and the universality of the experience called Life. Wherever we look in Life there is an Acting lesson. Conversely wherever we look in Acting there is a Life lesson.
As an example: No matter how hard we try we can never make two moments in time exactly the same. We are always held in the moment of now, which is universally true. Every moment of human expression is uniquely different to the last moment in some way. Which is also universally true. A truth in Life is also a truth in Acting.
In creative expression we can sometimes attempt to force each moment to be a certain way and often become exhausted working against the very nature of life which does not allow us to control it. Rather, it waits to be discovered.
