Choices

From: Dan

2005



"In the theater of life we have our choice of roles to play. Some choose a role that they are well suited for and they play it well, for that reason, or sometimes just because they are able to play most any role well. an all round capable actor. Others are drawn to a particular role, and some insist upon choosing the same role every time. If the play that the director is presenting doesn't have a role of the sort that they prefer, they prefer not to play at all. For some of those more selective sorts of actors, that's not a problem, they have other things to do besides theater anyway, so they do something else and wait for a suitable role to be available. But some actors believe that the mask they wear in the theater is actually their face. If no role for them is cast that day they run out and play scenes from a play that features their mask in the street. "Hey, Hey! Stop your car! Watch this play! You are in the play too. Say your lines back to me!" At times folks are amused by the theater being played at an off stage location. But just as often they are annoyed by being presented with a play at a time and place which they were not given a choice about. Their contribution to the theater (choosing to witness) was ignored, and it feels irritating to be used and interrupted just because someone else can't get their mask off, or take a break from acting.

I have a tendency toward being one of those obsessive type of actors. I really love playing "the artist" and most everyone agrees that I do a pretty good job of it. I signed up for the lifetime, 24 hr-a-day version of the play...and since I live in the theater, most of the time it works out ok. Occasionally I notice that I am overplaying the role and that it isn't necessary for my character to be onstage all the time. I love the role, but I know that the mask is not my face.

Even tho I've made my choice, and I'm happy with it, every day the directgor lays out all the available masks in front of me and gives me my choice. I really appreciate that. I've noticed that some roles are not offered to me at all....and it makes sense. Some guys, for instance, are masters at playing women....I saw the Japanese maser, Tamasaburo, play a woman's role in the Kabuki theater in Tokyo. My Japanese friend leaned over and whispered to me, "they say he is more woman than woman is." I couldn't do that well....I don't have the right kind of nose or hands for it, and besides, tho I can appreciate the mastery, the role doesn't appeal to me. No I like ""artist."
Why do you want to choose "victim" all the time? Your emails sound as though you have no choice at all in life. As far as I'm concerned, Bob has nothing at all to do with what I write to you. I simply don't understand why you seem to like playing the victim 24/7. Drama can be fun....but a high histrionic level is a bit overwhelming on a daily basis. No there's nothing I can do to make people want to hear "the truth."