it's called acting

One of the three actors used this phrase when we collectively said their performances were great. At first it sounded like pride, “…it’s called acting”, but in her own way she reminded us of her humility and dedication. This performance required practice and then some. It is called acting, indeed.

Sir Lawrence Olivier commented upon Dustin Hoffman’s grueling method acting technique of sleep deprivation while shooting the film “Marathon Man” (1976) when Dustin asked how he prepares…”Dear boy, it’s called acting”. Sure, in this discussion we were talking about the recent high school musical of four performances. We sat around the table with pies, three kinds all very delicious, and we reviewed the cast, characters, songs, dances, rehearsals, costumes, sets and performances.

These three young actors have found their talent, crafted it, practiced it, danced it and collectively stirred it with a big cast and more than pulled off an amazing musical comedy. It is called acting and while listening to them I learned more than I knew before then after a few years on stage crew and being a lifelong fan of theater. I merely saw the results of confidence-building repetition, learned how they absolutely hated a few of the numbers, and came to understand a great deal about Bob Fosse by making his moves come alive thanks to some expert channeling by the choreographer. Song, dance, and acting coming together in a seemingly effortless way, lines delivered as though the actor was really thinking them. Being in character, dressed in a thoughtfully designed costume, wig and makeup.

They miss the routine of all the rehearsals, gatherings, after stage time trips to Sonic, late nights, early Saturday mornings. Then they talked about the next show and one after that, the summer camp maybe, the college idea and wondered what musical their music teacher will select for next year. Let’s do a show this summer!

It’s called acting and they do it so well, yet they humbly talk as if they really don’t get it but they do and that’s the beauty and fire they possess…to put themselves out there, in the lights, and dredge from within their intellect signals for muscles, voices, expressions, breathing, tears, and tones. That was some “Pajama Game”. Wow.