You’ll never fully figure it out!

 You’ll never fully figure it out.


A lecture I shared in one of my group classes last week was inspired by an episode of the podcast ‘Craft Sweat & Joy’ by Patsy Rodenburg. 

In a conversation with the incredible acting teacher and director Larry Moss, Patsy tells a story about when her late husband was about to act in the final performance of a play he’d been touring with for three years. 

He was standing in the wings and asked his co-star “are you relieved to be done after all this time?” and she responded “I feel like I’ve only just begun to understand the first scene” and then she stepped onto the stage. 


Isn’t that wild?! But I get it.


The reason I mention this to you is because I’ve been noticing for some time now, a general impatience among students to want to crack the code and conquer a scene with perfection in as little time as possible.


I recommend a different approach to all of you. Do the work, analyze the script and be as prepared as possible, but, you must always allow for the possibility that you’ll discover something new in it. This will help you stay present, alive and spontaneous and not to simply get on set or on stage and just deliver a version you planned to do. 


I teach a script analysis class called ‘Mine For The Meaning’ as most of you know. 

In this class I offer an effective, detailed approach at making sure you understand a scene intellectually as the writer intended. However, that doesn’t mean that when you act the scene it’s a finished product. 


You must allow for the possibility of discovery and if a moment takes you somewhere…. ALLOW IT! 


I have been fortunate enough to star in some very long runs throughout my career. For example, I toured with the musical The Book Of Mormon and did more than 700 performances in 18 months. When I was finishing my run, I said to myself “there is nothing more I can possibly do with this role”. That simply wasn’t true. 

I watched the show on Broadway many years later and my goodness did I see it with new eyes. 


Spontaneity and surprises are THRILLING. So let go of your control and perfectionist tendencies and let yourself LIVE! That’s the most artistic thing about live performance. The unexpected magic any moment could provide. 


Keep up the great work!


Mark 


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