Tears Over Tears

Many non-actors, (and about half of the actors out there) have certain notions as to what makes a brilliant performance. If an actor can accomplish a certain achievement, people believe that by default, they are witnessing a genius at work.

One action which holds this misguided esteem in people is bringing forth real tears during a performance.

This skill is overrated in my view. While it may certainly be part of a great actor's arsenal, the ability to cry on cue is not by itself an indicator of greatness. It is not, in my estimation, even an indicator that any acting is taking place. Those that can cry on cue, (as fascinating as the talent may be in its own right) are doing little more than those who can whistle.

I mention this because I think that actual crying, with tears and such, is a goal a lot of actors work too hard at achieving. By actual crying, I mean the shedding of tears.

Yet acting is about being sincere in presentation of the character's emotions. Unless you just happen to have the gift of instant water works coupled with a keen understanding of what leads up to a character crying, the mere process of calling forth actual tears is usually noticeable from about 30 miles away.

People tend to forget that the act of crying only culminates in the production of tears. But tear production can take place for so many reasons other than weeping. Furthermore, a person may experience something that is, for all intents and purposes, weeping, with minimal tear production.

Physically, crying begins within the chest or throat, passes slowly from the back of the neck up to and encompassing the face. To skip these steps and try to start crying right out of your eyeballs is one of the worst, (and detectable) examples of fraud in the acting world. I have worked with actors guilty of this.

Setting aside the physical sensations, let us not forget the stimulus to the heart that takes place to bring about the weeping. Unless you are an infant, crying is rarely an instant action. The pain, the fear, the realization of the circumstances that bring about the tears all must be registered by the actor. If little has led up to it, you could summon forth Niagara Falls from your tear ducts at the drop of a hat, but it will not do you or the scene an ounce of good.

An actor who is committed to all aspects of a portrayal of weeping will give an audience an authentic and memorable performance, even if no visible tears show up.

Of course if they do show up along with a sincere performance, great. But if you find yourself laboring too much over producing tears, set it aside. Otherwise your performance may illicit the wrong type of tears from the audience.

Setting Forth

Today was the first meeting for my cast and I. Right off the bat I confessed to both of them that I was somewhat nervous, wearing two hats for this show. I feel better now though. I am not totally over it, but now that the first meeting has taken place, I am somewhat more at ease.

I have worked with both of these actresses before. In fact, a year ago three of us played in the same one-act for the same festival. So we each play off of each other well. That is a blessing that offsets that unusual nature of the other stuff.

It went so well in fact that I honestly do believe we will have enough time to rehearse. Previously I was somewhat apprehensive about that. I knew we could do it, but it felt crunched before. After the reading however, I felt like there was more breathing room.

Once I determined how long it would take it to read the show, (about 20 minutes), I came to realize we could easily go over the whole play twice per session. Right now, that will add up to 5 run throughs of the show before tech week, plus the 4 run throughs during tech week itself. Math majors out there have already determined that this gives us 9 chances to run the show, top to bottom before we open. With this group, that sounds like more than enough.

Our next rehearsal is scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I will be perusing the text even more, seeing what sort of nuances I can pick up on, and maybe send them an email later in the week with some thoughts.

Off we go.

Current Project

Well, as for my latest project, the cast is set, and the parties are agreed. Given that, I thought it was about time I describe things in more detail. So, here are the basics.

The play I am to direct, (and perform in) is called "What Are Words Worth to a Long Fellow?" It was one of three entries that tied for third place at this year's New Voice Play Festival. (Check out the Old Opera House website for more information.)

As mentioned before, it is to be a dramatic reading, as opposed to a full fledged production.

It was written by one Carl L. Williams of Houston, Texas. I have not met the playwright, and at this time am not certain if he will be in attendance, though at this time I doubt it.

The play is a comedy with three characters. One is named Norris. (Played by myself in this production.) Norris is in his 20's and living off of a trust fund set up for him by his late aunt. He is an aspiring poet, and hence there is much wine, women and song in his life.

One such woman is a young college coed named Debbie. At the start of the play she was a "guest" of Norris.

The mood is spoiled when Phyllis, Norris' older sister arrives, intent on convincing the wayward Norris to find a job, and make something of his life, before the trust fund is depleted.

That is the show in a nutshell. I found the writing to be quick, concise, and witty. This is why I am glad to be directing this particular play. (Though I have not yet read the scripts from the other entries into this years festival.)

I have worked with both of the actresses I cast in this play before. At this time, I am not sure if that will add to, or take away from some of my initial nervousness about playing a part and directing the show. As it stands now, our first meeting as a cast is set for this coming Monday. I suppose I will find out then. I will certainly let you, loyal blog readers, in on how I am feeling after that encounter.

And that is where is stands for now. Wish me and my two cast mates luck as we endeavor to bring this piece to life.