Today's Lesson in Acting

So, for weeks, I've been walking around wondering how I could tell my scene partner, that while I really liked what he had written for us, I just couldn't perform it the way it was written. You see, there was a certain word that I just could not say that seemed to be important to the scene. No, not the "f" word, although it's one that is not in my swearing vernacular. Just get in the car with me sometime when someone cuts me off, and you'll hear which ones I do use when I lose all femininity.

Which reminds me...you might as well know now...this is how my mind works. I jump around a lot. (Yes, it drives my special someone crazy.)

Anyway, my first scene in class years ago, my acting coach gives me, "The Graduate." Yes, that scene. My scene partner is a young man...I mean really young...doesn't drive yet. Good little actor, however. Anyway, he asked me to drive him home after class once...and I just naturally swore when someone wouldn't let me change lanes. He thought it was sexy. I laughed. Oh yes, and my acting coach said she gave me that scene as my first to make me comfortable!! Really? What's next? Actually, it never got worse than that!

Getting back to my scene today. It was a good scene and eventually, we worked it out so that he said the "n" word several times, (and being a black man...he said it wasn't a problem). But, what was so interesting to me is...I had rather moped around here for a little while, because I didn't have a clue how I was going to play the scene. We rehearsed the lines, but I still was uneasy. It didn't help that the first two scenes in class were wonderful.

When it came time to do the scene, I thought, "Just go with it." This was the second half of the scene, actually. The first we had done a few weeks ago, where I had a lot of dialog. I feel it's a lot harder to just comment briefly and sit there and react, as my part was written this time around. Well, somewhere in there, I just dropped in. I just got it. The emotion came, the feeling was there. Of course, it didn't hurt that I had a great partner.

Everyone commented on it. Someone told me the focus was on me because of how still I was and my reactions. The lesson here is trifold (1) how little you have to do or say to tell the truth in a scene, and (2) not knowing how to do it is a good thing sometimes and (3) listening is paramount. The scenes I really like and can't wait to do are the ones that usually fall flat.

How lucky I am to be working with all these amazing, supportive, talented beautiful souls.

Yoga

So, who would have thought that taking an acting workshop would change my lifestyle in such a dramatic way (pardon the pun). I'll start at the beginning.

Several years ago, I hurt my back playing tennis, which was my stress-reliever from the corporate world. I was playing four times a week. It seems that the fact that my right leg is 3/8" shorter than the other and/or the fact that I once carried a very heavy briefcase when I was selling insurance (for a very brief period of time) could have caused my back trouble. In any event, it did threaten to ruin several annual trips to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, as well as interfere with my entering tournaments at the Sunny Hills Racquet Club.

First day out, warming up, my back would go out and I was out for the count...the whole week.
The pro at LJBTC, I remember, recommended yoga, (an ancient practice from India, which unites body, mind and spirit). Instead, I made weekly treks to my chiropractor, who did help ease the pain.

Fast forward to an acting workshop with casting director, Linda Phillips-Palo, on "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron . As a requisite to taking the class, everyone had to join a yoga class.
By this time, yoga classes were springing up everywhere, so it was easy for me to join one close to home.

It was the best advice I ever took. After five years of practice now, I haven't had a single back episode that kept me out of any activity. Of course, I do my stretching morning and night, bend from the knees while lifting, and take regular walks as added precaution.

I bless Linda for insisting on this life-enhancing change. It's not only the physical aspect of yoga that I love, but it makes me feel more centered, more balanced. It rejuvenates the body and mind. And it purports to keep one young. "Stay Young with Yoga from WebMD." That always gets my attention.

Nameste (I honor the light in you.)