So I finally have decided to found a Theatre Company: The Chekhov Studio Players :) Auditions will be in October. I want to see if I can lead a theatre company that has the same idealistic vision that Chekhov Studio and The Michael Chekhov technique have. Wish me luck, perseverance, financial support and magical super powers! Heres some thoughts from years back: An actor is a storyteller. Storytellers can also be seen as leaders – leading the way for us to see and experience the story, the inner life, the soul and visceral experience of the characters. An actor is a leader IN THE SERVICE of the story and his ensemble. Ideally, every one in the ensemble is a leader for their character’s story and responsible for its whole creation. When the actor feels like a leader she instantly becomes aware of her responsibility for her ensemble, story, character and the audience. As said by one of my acting teachers, Valentin Tepliakov, “An actor is holding the life of the character in his hands.” This means that I have a responsibility to find a way to bring my character to life. I will be a leader and let myself be led; I will sacrifice such egoistic feelings as fear of success or failure, and focus my energy for bringing alive the story. While doing my research for my MFA thesis project some years back, I came across a book called The Leader’s Legacy by Kouzes & Posner. The book introduces the idea that a good leader is, in fact, in service for his purpose, his staff and must be willing to sacrifice himself for greater good. A good leader also knows what kind of legacy he wants to leave behind. This made me think about the legacy that I want to leave behind as a human being, actor and teacher. One could question how a theatre actor could possibly leave any legacy behind, since her work is only alive in the present moment. I believe that a great theater show is recorded in the hearts of the audience. An actor’s legacy, for me, has nothing to do with being famous, but everything to do with the wish and ability to expand empathy in the world. Abdicating one’s role as a leader allows one to blame someone else for a bad show – the director, the other actors, the audience. Running away from challenges and one’s responsibility makes bad leaders, bad actors and bad theater. It is cowardice, which is as unattractive as it is uninteresting – both on and off stage. We need brave actors and directors. This creates brave ensembles and brave audiences. And in time, hopefully more brave empathetic political and financial leaders... ...I am authentically fulfilled with gratitude for being able to work as an actor. I am an idealist who has faith that I can have effect on the quality of my own life and of others by doing this work and following my bliss.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 19:21:49 +0000
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