Acting is dangerous! I am not just talking about the occasional falling off-stage or running into various pieces of scenery or slicing a bit unexpectedly during a dual. No, I am talking about the dangers of the heart. There is no way you can ask actors to drop the masks they wear and touch their personal truth and experience without running into some danger. Dangers of the heart can be mighty treacherous. One tool that I discovered early on is to ask the students to come up with a weekly project of DOING something that would attend to their MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT.
They were asked to ADD something to their day that WOULD be uncomfortable and take them out of their routine with the sole purpose of adding something to their mind, body and spirt – essentially they were adding three new practices to their week and then taking the time at the end of week to share what they did – hopefully to inspire others in the future. Actors drain themself. Some go empty in their physical reserves, some stop believing in something. And some ask their mind to do only school work. Actors, you are beautiful delicate creatures. Tend to yourself – Please! Mind, Body, and Spirit