Is there an authentic self? If we go beyond the circumstances, influences, conditions and environment that make up our adult selves, who is the person behind? We all wear masks at work, home, play for both unconscious and conscious reasons. As Shakespeare said, "all the world's a stage."
At what moments are we truly authentic and not wearing a mask? The moment we wake up? The moment before we fall asleep? when we are sharing with a trusted loved one?
This question has been debated for centuries by psychologists and philosophers. It is an interesting question for actors because our work involves taking on the total circumstances of another person, our character, and living in them with total commitment and honesty. Taking on the circumstances of a character in crisis requires courage because the crisis moment in drama can often be harrowing or even traumatizing.
The truth is, we bring who we believe we are to the role we play.
That is why so much of the eary work of the actor is to actually encounter the relationship between the masks we wear and the self we actually are. This can be challenging work.
To free yourself from inhibition, ego, fear and control is extremely difficult for most people. For actors, it is essential.
At The Studio Seattle, our entry-level classes provide a supportive, engaging, and safe environment for beginning actors to learn how to bring their authentic selves to the work. This is essential foundational work, and it provides the needed platform for the acting process to come.
In our foundational classes, students are guided through a variety of exercises and activities that not only focus on developing acting techniques but also on fostering a deep connection with their authentic selves. This connection is vital, as it allows actors to draw from their own experiences and emotions, enriching their performances and making them more relatable and impactful.
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