Lately, I've been meditating on beginnings, on how and where my aspirations began. I wouldn't call myself a voracious reader, but I read my share on various subjects. My favorite has generally been fantasy and science fiction, with a steady rise in self-help books and scripts. I was just reading a book called "Making a Literary Life," by Carolyn See. It's a charming book that gives advice for "writers and other dreamers." The first chapter advises a beginning writer not to talk about their work at all. To write and keep it hidden away, not to be discussed with family, friends, or anyone. Carolyn writes that discussing your work will weaken it, take away its magic. I don't entirely agree, and I'll elaborate on that later.
Why did I get into theater? I've asked myself that many times. Part of me has always assumed it was a matter of wanting attention, and I won't lie, that is part of it. The energy exchange that comes from having an audience fixated on the scene you're in is one of a kind, like a rock concert where everyone is passionately in love with character and story. The compliments I was given also spurred me on, especially as they became more about my successes than just my efforts. But I think it comes down to something bigger than that.
From the fourth grade onward, I was homeschooled. I lived in a small town and had few opportunities to make friends. The majority of my time was spent playing videogames and reading. I enjoyed reading aloud and would give voices to characters in games that didn't have voiceover. When I was sixteen, I auditioned for Annie and was cast in six minor parts in the production. My love for theater started strong and continued to develop over several years, and I've recently realized why.
When I was young, I valued emotional control highly. I avoided confrontation and was overwhelmingly indecisive. I was quiet and hesitant to give an opinion on my best day. I would shut down emotionally if I felt judged or threatened in any way. Theater encouraged me to feel things I would never have allowed otherwise. Theater literally thrives on conflict, as it's a cornerstone of story structure. Theater calls for an actor to have an opinion on everything in their character's world, even if it is never directly stated. As part of an ensemble, rather than feeling threatened, I was applauded.
In short, I used acting and scripts to speak because I was unable to find my own words. To some people, that might sound pathetic, but I'm proud of it. My love and pursuit of theater started me on a road to finding and expressing myself, a thing that some people never truly do.
Now I have my own words. I expand on them, revise them, and express them every day. This only serves to strengthen my creative impulses and my acting. As acting continues to galvanize me, so I continue to strengthen my work, forming this loop of betterment that spins faster and stronger with every sweep. Acting has been instrumental in defining me, so I continue to joyously take part in creating it.
Which finally brings me back to this book I mentioned. I'll admit I've only read the first chapter, and it's oriented more for writers than actors. I'll even concede that talking too much about your work is the easiest way to put off actually doing anything. But Carolyn's argument seems to be not to discuss these things because you'll inevitably encounter naysayers. That seems self-defeating to me. If an artist ever hides their work away, they miss out on the input and support they will get from the people who are close to them. In my opinion, the person who goes that route is admitting they can't take a few harsh words.
We are living in an age where creativity is being put to use all the time and everyone has strong opinions about the end product. We live in a time where people will complain about, criticize, and even be offended by someone or something whose opinion differs from theirs. More than ever, an artist must be able to take the bad with the good, find the input that's useful, and move forward. You have a voice, and it's a powerful thing. If you speak up, you will make enemies as well as friends. No matter how hard you try, you will occasionally say something reckless or wrong. But that doesn't mean you should hide what you have to say. I did for five years, and all I have to show for it is a lesson learned. Learn from my mistake. Don't hide. Speak. Write.
Let your heart seek your truth, let your mind develop it, and let your voice unleash it.
(Your word program or pen are also acceptable unleashing systems. You do you.)
Seth plays Demetrius in PAC's upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, get your tickets now!
Click HERE for tickets!
Why did I get into theater? I've asked myself that many times. Part of me has always assumed it was a matter of wanting attention, and I won't lie, that is part of it. The energy exchange that comes from having an audience fixated on the scene you're in is one of a kind, like a rock concert where everyone is passionately in love with character and story. The compliments I was given also spurred me on, especially as they became more about my successes than just my efforts. But I think it comes down to something bigger than that.
From the fourth grade onward, I was homeschooled. I lived in a small town and had few opportunities to make friends. The majority of my time was spent playing videogames and reading. I enjoyed reading aloud and would give voices to characters in games that didn't have voiceover. When I was sixteen, I auditioned for Annie and was cast in six minor parts in the production. My love for theater started strong and continued to develop over several years, and I've recently realized why.
When I was young, I valued emotional control highly. I avoided confrontation and was overwhelmingly indecisive. I was quiet and hesitant to give an opinion on my best day. I would shut down emotionally if I felt judged or threatened in any way. Theater encouraged me to feel things I would never have allowed otherwise. Theater literally thrives on conflict, as it's a cornerstone of story structure. Theater calls for an actor to have an opinion on everything in their character's world, even if it is never directly stated. As part of an ensemble, rather than feeling threatened, I was applauded.
In short, I used acting and scripts to speak because I was unable to find my own words. To some people, that might sound pathetic, but I'm proud of it. My love and pursuit of theater started me on a road to finding and expressing myself, a thing that some people never truly do.
Now I have my own words. I expand on them, revise them, and express them every day. This only serves to strengthen my creative impulses and my acting. As acting continues to galvanize me, so I continue to strengthen my work, forming this loop of betterment that spins faster and stronger with every sweep. Acting has been instrumental in defining me, so I continue to joyously take part in creating it.
Which finally brings me back to this book I mentioned. I'll admit I've only read the first chapter, and it's oriented more for writers than actors. I'll even concede that talking too much about your work is the easiest way to put off actually doing anything. But Carolyn's argument seems to be not to discuss these things because you'll inevitably encounter naysayers. That seems self-defeating to me. If an artist ever hides their work away, they miss out on the input and support they will get from the people who are close to them. In my opinion, the person who goes that route is admitting they can't take a few harsh words.
We are living in an age where creativity is being put to use all the time and everyone has strong opinions about the end product. We live in a time where people will complain about, criticize, and even be offended by someone or something whose opinion differs from theirs. More than ever, an artist must be able to take the bad with the good, find the input that's useful, and move forward. You have a voice, and it's a powerful thing. If you speak up, you will make enemies as well as friends. No matter how hard you try, you will occasionally say something reckless or wrong. But that doesn't mean you should hide what you have to say. I did for five years, and all I have to show for it is a lesson learned. Learn from my mistake. Don't hide. Speak. Write.
Let your heart seek your truth, let your mind develop it, and let your voice unleash it.
(Your word program or pen are also acceptable unleashing systems. You do you.)
Seth plays Demetrius in PAC's upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, get your tickets now!
Click HERE for tickets!