| CAN ACTING BE TAUGHT? Many years ago I | | | | foundation, the cornerstone of all good acting. |
| would have answered NO. I once believed that | | | | This ability, to live in the present moment, I |
| you either had it or you didn't have it. In my | | | | believe can be taught. To quote Jerzy Grotowski |
| experience of being an actor for over twenty | | | | (The famous Polish teacher/director) |
| five years, and teaching classes in dramatic acting | | | | "Theatre is a place where one man comes out to |
| for nearly as long, I believe this not to be the | | | | meet another, without playing any role he is what |
| truth. The truth is acting can be taught. The | | | | he is, complete in himself -- He only wants to |
| essential qualities that one needs are passion, | | | | meet." |
| determination and perseverance. | | | | It is in this MEETING between two human beings |
| So what is this quality, this element, this thing | | | | where an actor encounters The Present Moment. |
| which makes an actor a good actor? To address | | | | In the same way that a pianist has his instrument |
| this question we must ask the same question of | | | | - The Piano - an actor also has his instrument. |
| Theater. What is the essential quality which | | | | The Actor's instrument is his BODY. Within the |
| makes theater -- Good Theater? I believe this | | | | BODY lie the actor's 'tools' which he utilizes in the |
| quality to be The Immediacy Of The Present | | | | effort to create the life of a human being - a |
| Moment. All good acting aspires to this principle. | | | | "Character". What are the actor's tools? The |
| Regardless of the play's content, style or | | | | actor's tools are his WILL, IMAGINATION and his |
| direction, the only individual who can apply this | | | | EMOTIONS. These elements are the foundation of |
| principle is The Actor. The actor's ability to | | | | the actor's craft. Through a methodical practice of |
| execute this is independent of the written | | | | specific acting exercises, in a class environment, |
| material. The Immediacy of the Present Moment | | | | these elements are developed and strengthened |
| can only come from the actor. This ability to live | | | | as they eventually lead to the awakening of the |
| in the present moment I believe is the most | | | | creative capacities within the actor. |
| important and fundamental quality that is the | | | | |