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 Why the World Needs Actors

"[Acting's] essential elements remain the twin requisites enunciated in the eighteenth century by French actor Francois-Joseph Talma: 'Unusual sensitivity and extraordinary intelligence.' The intelligence he refers to comes not from book learning but from an ability to understand the workings of the human personality." -- Lee Strasberg, Definition of ActingActing

A fledgling actor must examine their talent with brutal honesty. Unusual sensitivity and the potential for extraordinary intelligence must be there, and with hard work and discipline, it can be enhanced accordingly. However, it must be remembered, we cannot give that what we do not have.

Why is it so important to understand the workings of the human personality? What purpose do actors serve, if any? One thing we all share is the fact we are born and we die alone. We are, in a sense, trapped in our own minds, perpetually alone with ourselves. There is a desperate need in all human beings to ease this isolation by creating bonds with other people--sharing experiences, thoughts, physical intimacy, ideas, and beliefs. Then, on a larger scale, in order to experience a deeper level of connection, we have a need to share our thoughts on life and the relationships in our lives, with everyone in the world. One of the ways in which we do this is through art.

We have come to realize that despite physical differences, we are all fundamentally the same in our desires--to love and be loved and to belong. That is why art transcends all race, gender, language, and culture. It speaks of our relationships with our world. Through art we share our fears, our desires, our needs, our perversions, our fantasies, our greed, and our lust. When we watch a film or look at a painting or listen to a piece of music that resonates with us, we feel less alone. We feel as though someone understands us. Life is less painful because someone out there feels as freakish and lonely and scared as we do. Or they want the same thing or have felt the same joy. This, in my opinion, is the greatest gift we can give to each other. Compassion for the human condition can heal the world.

Actors are here to serve. We must look upon our souls with an unflinching eye, so as to share ourselves with others from a place of honesty, not ego. We are here to be ugly, ashamed, desirable, joyful, angry, tormented, violent, beautiful, and everything else that makes up the human soul. If we can bring a character to life and that character can touch the heart of another and somehow inspire them to feel less afraid and more connected to the world, then we must do this! To fail would be a tragedy. We are part of a living tradition, a legacy that must be guarded and maintained with absolute ferocity.

 More> Everyone's a Critic