As actors it is our job to tell a story right? We try our hardest and overcome many trying circumstances to succeed in this endeavor in order to make the audience enjoy their time. We have many friends and companions we meet along the way and always try to support them if we can and see their productions. Also maybe just go out for a night of theatre and try to enjoy. Here is my question...
Why is it that actors cant just simply enjoy a theatrical production? Why do we have to analyze every detail and wonder why it was done that way? Notice the word "enjoy" keeps repeating itself.
Maybe it is just me but no matter how hard I try to simply take a breath and enjoy I am constantly wondering and constructively criticizing performances. Is it because this is my craft and I am always working so I want to know why someone chose this as their character's driving force? Why did the lighting director choose blue versus green or the choreographer choose a battement versus hitch kick? Do other industry professionals go through this as well? I.E. Does a Panera Bread employee ( example because I am sitting in a Panera Bread as I type) go to Subway and enjoy the sandwich or wonder why they cut the bread that way and use that type of mayo? Bad example but you get the point.
I am not saying that we can't have a good time and take something away but is it possible to do one or the other. Maybe we are are this way because it is so hard to keep a job and survive in this economy that we are constantly trying to better ourselves and our craft which isn't a bad thing. But don't we all just need a night off? Food for thought...
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I think that its the same with a lot of professions. I for one have a hard time going to concerts and not critiquing the flute and piccolo players, or the alto and soprano soloists at a concert. I also have a hard time listening to some popular music because I spend the whole time wondering why they are singing the way they are or why they don't support the high notes. I'm sure its not as bad with me as it is with you because you have done theater professionally, but I don't think it is a bad thing per say. Its good to always be listening to others and using their performances to see what we can do better. More food for thought.
ReplyDeleteDarling Man, of course we all see the world through our own eyes and ears. Doug can rarely enjoy the symphony or someone else's concert, because his ear hears the violin out of tune or the missed cymbal crash.
ReplyDeleteI sit as middle of the house as I can so I cannot see makeup lines, stapled hems, shoelaces on WRONG shoes, masking on the set, techies in the wings.
My Dad, a retired physician, laughs at CSI and other forensic TV shows, because you cannot get test results that fast, nor do you have access to all these magical bits of data within 24 hrs., etc.
My sister-in-law is a pastry chef, so yes, she cannot turn off her brain in a restaurant or a bakery.
I do think as artists, we are challenged to enjoy the thing we make, especially since what we make is for enjoyment (in part). For me, it is actually a litmus test for quality. If I can lose myself in your show and not spend most of the time thinking about lights, blocking, sound, character choice, costumes, techies, etc. etc. , then you have made art for me and it is a "good" show.
I concur and Kathy so true, there is the rare moment I can be so engulfed and not see the aspects but the whole and thats when we both win as audience and actor .
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