Every actor’s inquiry is different: one might want to take bolder risks, another to embody their voice fully, another to explore the rawness of the emotions through the lens of the character or the freedom of impulses discovered through embodiment, or to perform an extended scene free of interruption to see where presence can guide them.
We then went to the Ancient Aptera Theatre, where each actor explored their scene. We experienced ten authentic presences, ten different stories, ten magnetic universes. All actors dove into each scene with such fun and ease, with a true sense of playfulness, regardless of the material.
Ownership at times felt like embodied presence through the language, and other times it was me landing into an idea about the line. An idea would be an action that I chose to embody or it was a physical choice, like leaning forward or changing position. My physical choices were always filled with intention, such as leaning forward to speak quietly or to put emphasis or be cheeky.
Understanding the mechanics of human psychology and one's own limitations is the key to freedom. Raising one's own questions, identifying, understanding, and owning one’s limitations is key to this process. The next phase is to start seeing all the new possibilities ahead, and this is where the second phase of embodiment comes handy.
We all know that there is one—a process, some technique that each one of us uses to find the underlying truth of the character, scene, etc. There is a trajectory that has to happen to connect the two dots of A) the real you and Z) the character on the page. Sometimes the distance isn't so far, and other times it feels like an impossible leap.
When circumstances feel too close to home, I encourage you to take note of them, explore them, and resolve them on a personal level. This leads to both personal and artistic freedom. When this happens, performances become truly remarkable as they reflect the actor’s deeper understanding of themselves, and consequently, of the character.
I have often lost contact with myself, and I lost significant ground. But even then, the goal remained intact: to understand my psyche, to understand the human psyche, to meet my freedom, and to undergo what it takes for human beings to meet their freedom.
This exploration is not an attempt to create separation between ourselves and others. On the contrary, from this place of self-awareness, we can engage with others more freely and genuinely. We are, after all, interconnected, and the essence of human connection lies in unity. To offer genuine and effective support, however, we must first understand who we truly are.
It is an immediate physical and mental breakthrough, allowing for the release of all the unconscious, unhelpful learnings and providing a direct experience of who you truly are, free from the blur of your unconscious stories.