If We're Honest ...

When you’re sitting in the audience, watching the play, you might be wondering how a children’s show like this looks so professional. Is it the complex set? Maybe it’s the gorgeous costumes?  Or is it that they just have extremely talented actors?  These most likely all fit into the grand puzzle, but what really sets a play or musical apart from the rest, is one that has actors who understand the character so well that they are actually almost one with this character.  In theater, we call this, “being honest.”

Here is an example that will clarify the importance of honesty a bit more:

Drake, played by James Van Dyk, is actually The Ugly Duckling’s father.  At first, when you look at the character, he seems like he is probably a lazy coward, who tortures his hideous son.  Hard to relate to, I know.  One of the challenges James faces was trying  to understand the reasoning behind Drake. Why is Drake lazy?  Why does Drake torment his own child?  Next in the process, James has to make up reasons why.  The more specific the better.  Basically, he’s writing a story from his character’s perspective.  After he has understood the logic behind his character, he now has to stop anticipating so much when he plays his character and act like the events happening to him are happening for the first time. This can be quite difficult because everyone has a subconscious part in their brain that tells them what to do next and when to make facial expressions, gestures, etc. While this may look okay during the first few times, we actually want to stop thinking that way.  Otherwise, it appears forced or practiced, which takes the audience out of the story.  James, has already shown us this multiple times in rehearsals that he understands this, so not picking on you, James.

Therefore, at STC one of our major focuses has been on honesty, which is leading to better developed characters and an overall more entertaining show.   In fact, this is the reason why every show is amazing. If we were not honest to our character, then our program would turn out just like a first grade play, except with really cool sets and costumes.  

Honesty has probably been the greatest idea that I have used to be a better actor.  Whether I’m in STC, or doing improv, if I am just being general in my acting, you might be less inclined to lean in, and hear from my point of view as a character.  It just brings everything together when you’re acting.

What truly makes a play great is every actor being truly honest to their character.

Jacob Peters    

              (Snowy)