Constantly Learning and Constantly Surprised
Well we are about ready to head into tech for Becky's New Car. This past month has been interesting, but so much fun! It is absolutely great to be able to "get back in the saddle again" and work in a production, as well as meet some fabulous local actors and hear their stories. What has been interesting isn't just learning how to juggle my personal life with my theatrical life (such as making dinner ahead for my husband, or not falling right asleep when I get home from rehearsal or even rushing from Saturday rehearsal to family events). but also is learning to play a character my own age.
Kenni Flood, my character, is exactly my age, 23. And since the play takes place in the present, it's very easy to connect with her. Although our circumstances are different, there is much that is similar: such as how we look at men and significant others, and the want of independence, but also the loyalty to her father/family. While I myself have never experienced losing a parent I know others who have, and I can think back to their lives and what they went through and how it has affected them long term. I actually think playing somebody my age is more difficult than playing someone who is older or younger than me .
There is a certain suspension of disbelief, almost like a pass, from the audience that allows me to be a character who isn't my age. There is also more room to imagine, to use the magic "if", and to create a background story that comes from research and my imagination. With a character who is my age, there is much more a pressure to be who I am-be a millennial, be a young woman...
With Kenni, I am constantly digging into myself. I try to stop and evaluate my reactions, actions, thoughts, and habits during my days so that I may incorporate them into the role. I have found out that it is very difficult to be yourself onstage. Something happens that just makes your normal stances, speech patterns, habits, and actions disappear. Of course, everything needs to be a little heightened on the stage, but in Kenni's world it really should just be something heightened of myself (with just different intentions behind it). One thing that has made it easier is that I am working with other actors who are the proper ages as well. Walter Flood, Kenni's father, is played by someone who is my father's age. It is so easy to connect and work with him on a father-daughter level. Same with other older characters.
I really don't know why I am so surprised by this new revelation- I should have foreseen it And I don't think it is something I will ever stop learning, especially as I move in between different stages of life.
Other things I'm learning, such as more acting tips, professional tips, etc will be described in a later post. You never stop learning!
Come see Becky's New Car! To learn about tickets visit here!