Friday, August 12, 2011

What Doest It Means To Be An Actor?

This is a question I toss around in my mind from time to time. Over the years, the answer has varied. A subtitle could be, "How do I define success as an actor?"

Sure, a young actor's starry eyes are filled with visions of fame and fortune and posing on the red carpet. I know mine were. We all know too that a real actor is passionate about acting, about theatre and film. The other stuff is great, of course, but we all tell ourselves that we would act even if we were only performing in a church basement for free. That's not practical either.

At first, I'd tell every aspiring actor that of course, he or she could become a big star! As I matured, I realized how desirable it is to be a working actor, nevermind the A list. Hard work, study, training, practice, experience, professionalism -- all these things could add up to a satisfying career as an actor. But it isn't quite that easy, is it? It takes a lot of fortitude -- and a lot of love of what you're doing -- to remain a dramatic artist. I think I'm arriving at yet another understanding of what it means to be an actor. I was listening today to Olympia Dukakis on the radio, discussing her life and career as an actor. As I listened another description began to take shape: an actor is not much different than any other working man. Just as painters and poets, sculptors and other artists seek to illuminate what's best in humanity, and just as we reach out to each other just to know we're not alone, the actor can find fulfillment in simply a job well done.

Words are inadequate today, but I'll think on this and take it up again. . . . .