Performer's Journal #2

Traditionally, actor training has stressed a "neutral" stance. "I don't use the word neutral, I prefer the word natural. Because what is neutral anyway?" My mentor says as he walks around the classroom full of actors lying semi-supine on the studio floor.

At last, my journey with BEYOND DIS:PLAY has begun, and I was only too happy to immerse myself once again in the teachings of Sanford Meisner and Michael Chekhov. As I learned more about how repetition may be taught progressively from appearance, behavior, emotions and finally to metaphors, it was eye-opening to notice what seeing and doing for real can do to the spontaneity and realism of the conversation.

As I read through the Chinese-language (why...) articles published by professors from Beijing Drama Academy, I was intrigued by the pedagogy and thought process behind both the Meisner repetition exercises and the Chekhov archetypal gestures. Push, pull, open, close, embrace, lift, wring, tear, smash, throw, and penetrate. I am curious to find out how those movements would eventually build into my craft and refine my technique as an actor over the two years.

With less than 48 hours until I leave Singapore for a good four months, I'm currently on my way to the Black Box at ART:DIS to receive one-on-one preliminary training from my mentor, so that I can continue to keep up with the training while I am abroad. For the subsequent 8 lessons in 2023, I will be taking classes by video call, so hopefully I can keep my core in the natural state on my own.