DIARY OF A SHY BLACK WOMAN: The Acting Bug

Thursday, January 04, 2007

The Acting Bug

So I have an opportunity to make up for that teleprompter and acting class that I did not attend back in Arizona. There is a 4 week acting class starting in February in Manhattan (not too far from my job) that meets once a week during the evenings for about 1-2 hours. It is perfect - schedulewise and pricewise so I have no excuse. I just have to do it!!

So in less than 2 weeks I will pay for the class and take that leap. I can't believe it. I am really going to do it this time. I know it is going to make me panic like crazy but I am going to do it no matter what. I hope I don't let myself down. I know I won't. I am making the decision right now. No matter how nervous I get that first night I am going to take myself into that class and just go with the flow. I have to keep telling myself, "what's the worst thing that could happen?" I'll think of the worst and visualize myself dealing with it or something.

Well when that day comes I will share all my experiences with you. For now, I am excited because I love acting. This is my opportunity to find out if I truly want to pursue this dream or not. Also, a few people have told me that acting classes can be therapeutic and if anything, it may help me on a more personal level.

1 comments:

kimFeb 5, 2007 07:42 PM
I have to say that acting did it for me. Before college, before being on the stage I , too, was painfully shy, and people perceived me as conceited, or unsociable.

I cannot tell you when it changed, or that there was some pivotal moment or scene or character, but, in time...having such conditional proximity to others, stretching for an emotion that could be used to render a character with integrity, reaching for voice, isolating body parts, realizing everyone else had fears, limitations, concerns, holes in their socks.

Give yourself to it, close your eyes and do it ugly, the way Leontyne Price does when she stretches her mouth full to get the notes out. And take it. No bravado, no bullshit. Just as you feel it coming, as you know the stage (or camera...much harder, I feel) and her audience are hungry for.

Breathe deeply, and enjoy. My entire life has changed, and people respond to me entirely differently. And I respond to life entirely differently.

Much love to you.
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