Choose Your Own Adventure

Anna Deavere Smith 

Something a rabbi told her, "the only whole heart is a broken heart because it lets the light in." 

That's why people need art that pushes the boundaries of what's comfortable for them. Some art may break your heart, but it will leave you whole because you're given empathy as a reward. I think that quote really resonates with me as an actor because vulnerability is something I struggle with. If I can't be vulnerable with my audience, how can I expect them to be vulnerable with me. Anna Deavere Smith makes Documentary Theatre, taking on different real character's struggles and desires, some of which is heartbreaking. That light comes into the audience's hearts as their leaving the venue and driving home. That light is empathy, and it makes the world a better place. 

Danger of a single story by Chimamanda Dichi 

Chimamanda Dichi's TED Talk is something I've watched for several classes throughout middle school, high school, and now college. It's something that I try to take with me every time I meet someone new: I don't have the full story about this person. I cannot judge because I don't know why anyone is the way they are. It's also taught me that I can never judge a book by its cover, or where its from. This is something I used always share with my campers, at the youth sleep away arts camp I used to work at. 

Sara jones one woman, many people

This is another performance I've seen in schools. This is really inspiring for me as an actor. I've always been drawn to performers who share stories of people who we rarely see. 

Something that I've been focusing on this year, in my acting, is focusing on how socio-economic background effects my performance. I've always focused on what's provided in the text and subtext, but there's so much history that's yet to be written by me that would effect everything about my character. Sarah Jones' specificity to detail is what makes her characters, or portrayals, most effective. Her complete transformation can take her audience anywhere in the world, shedding a light on different people's stories, stories that are less heard (bringing it back to the Anna Deavere Smith line about the "whole heart is a broken heart…" and "Danger of a Single Story").