Monday, October 5, 2009

Layering

I have been pretty busy the last month with rehearsals so I haven't really had a chance to write...or more truthfully even thought about it. But I have so much to say, so much to talk about.

When I was offered the role of Shelby Latchery in the play Steel Magnolias at our local theatre I was beyond thrilled. My first show was last spring and I was just in the chorus. I did have a couple of stand-out-ish parts that were given to me as rehearsals went on. I couldn't believe even that. So to go from being in the chorus...or better yet what I like to call a "cold ho" to a lead role is incredible for me! I wrote recently about how when I was just a little girl I told everyone how I wanted to be an actress. A lot of kids say that. I could have easily just been one of the ones that say they want it but don't actually know what it takes to be one or end up years later having no interest. For me it was all part of coming out of my shell. The reason it has taken me twenty years to actually do anything with it is because I had so much to do and learn before I had the confidence to act. Some people think it might be easy because you are "Acting" the part of someone else but first before you even get to that point you have to get past yourself. You have to get over the self consciousness of acting like something or someone else and totally become that character. And this is where I talk about layering.
My mama in the play is an acting coach and she said to me that layering was one of her favorite parts about acting. I sort of understood but I hadn't experienced it until the other night.

If you have ever seen Steel Magnolias you know that Shelby has diabetes type 1 and suffers throughout the movie until she dies because of complications due to a kidney transplant that failed. So in the first scene of the play I go into diabetic shock. I have never experienced that before so I had to do a little research and talk with some people and watch the movie to see exactly what I had to do. Still I am acting so I am not sure if I am believable or not unless someone tells me so. Last Saturday night at the show we had a guest speaker during intermission. A mother and father and a little girl named Maddie. They had been in the audience and watched the show and then Scott our director brought her back to meet the cast. She was so sweet. She had little pigtails and a pink shirt. I introduced myself as Shelby and shook her hand. She was carrying a teddy bear that had patches in all the places that she can be administered an insulin shot. I told her that pink was my favorite color.She was really excited to meet us. So then her parents spoke about her condition on stage and basically made all of us teary eyed. It was almost impossible to finish the rest of the show because we were all thinking of her. They didn't stay for act 2 because it was past her bedtime and I die or course and it all gets a little emotional. After the show a couple of people in the cast told me that her parents said that my insulin shock was very believable. Maddie leaned over during it and asked her mom if I had diabetes too! When I was told this I broke into tears. It really brings things home. I was able to be an example for a serious disease that kills people all the time and makes life more difficult. I then began to really put myself in her shoes and think about her life and compare her to Shelby. I was even mad at Shelby a little for how defiant she can be to her mother and to her doctors ignoring medical advice and not taking care of herself. I don't want that little girl to do those sort of things. It has helped me to understand the character more. And if I can fully be this character, someone in the audience with learn something they never knew or understand something that they never have before or relate to the character. This is why I want to be an actress. I never thought I would say that as an adult. If I had a dollar every time I heard someone say that being an actress is a dream and something more realistic would be better, I could afford to make my own movie. And if I had half a dollar every time I believed it I would also be rich. Anytime I would mention it as an adult I would say " When I was a young girl I wanted to be an actress". Now as an adult I can own that feeling. I want to be an actress. How wonderful would it be to do movies and tv! I would have so much fun but have the opportunity to touch peoples lives! The ultimate dream! So this process of layering is now my favorite thing. And I can now look forward to that in my next role too. Its a process that takes time and experience. I was told I am a method actor. Method acting "is a technique in which actors try to engender in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters in an effort to create lifelike performances" -source Wikipedia. I believe this. I have always been this way. Its totally normal for me. Not that I am limited to it, but its just a first, natural response for me to act this way...it makes sense.
I am grateful to be apart of this production and proud to be a voice for type 1 Diabetes.