My Artistic Statement

    I am apart of the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU. I am a theatre major at SMU with an emphasis in acting. Today we had a writing exercise that we had to complete in class that basically outlined what my art means to me, and why I do what I do. When I first began to write my artistic statement I didn't have a clue as to what I was going to say. I then realized that people often lose their purpose in life. People get so caught up in the action of achieving or reaching their purpose that they forget the reasons why they do it. They forget why they love it so much. I sat and contemplated for a long ten minutes until suddenly my feelings and perceptions of how acting has affected and changed my life began to pour out unto the page.
This is an excerpt of what I wrote that day:



An Artistic Statement


"I really don’t know what to say. I just do it. I run on impulses. My art revolves around doing what I feel; the impulses of my heart. Many times it may make no sense to the outside world, and other times it makes perfect sense. But I don’t act for the audience, I act for myself. The audience may be affected by it.. But I don’t perform to make an audience happy. I aim to make myself happy through my art. I love using my voice and my body to get my point across. I believe that every piece has a purpose, and it is our  job as the artist to bring that purpose to life.  Basically, that’s all I can say. Some people try to imitate when they’re acting, and some people try to melt into their characters. I just say, “I am ____”. And that’s what I am. Many people believe that an actors job is to lie. I don’t lie onstage. Never have and never will. Lying onstage isn’t attractive… The reason why actors are so important and why people come see us is because we’re the most honest people in the world. We bleed the truth. We have to. We are a reflection of the world. We were created  to make the world a better place. We showcase the successes and failures of the world, and it is the world’s obligation to make a difference. We are just the beginning; the root. I love what I do. I believe that acting is a rhythm.. And apart of being a good actor is being able to adapt to the many rhythms and themes that playwrights put out in the world.  I like classical pieces a lot more than contemporary pieces."


Summary: “I live and breathe a representation of the world as it is seen through MY eyes.”




List of Elements
God; the heavens
Movement
Energy
Voice
Passion
Determination
Heart
Love
Unity
Open Mind
Experiences
Intelligence
Physical Appearance
Endurance
Timing
Emotion
Direction
Street Smarts
Being a chameleon 
Inner Light
Colors
Harmony
Spirit
Impulses
Earth
Communication Skills
Focus

     Do you see that long list of elements? All that it takes to be an actor? That list is only the beginning of what an actor needs, to be considered an artist. Many times in my life people have questioned what venues would I want to perform in (theatre, film, television, etc.). When I am approached with this question my immediate response is, "Well.. to me it doesn't really matter." The real question is, in my career, do I want to be considered an actor or an artist. If you asked that question to me, I would immediately answer by saying, "Being an artist is what guarantees a lifelong career of success and happiness.. so I choose being an artist" 

The Beauty In Imperfections

This blog was inspired by the article:
New York Times Article: Single, and Singular, Women Become Her

                                                         Cherry Jones

     You will learn from my blog posts that I have an enormous obsession with theatre; I just do. There is something about dressing in your finest clothing on a Friday night and going out to the theatre.  Every week I read a few articles from the theatre section of The New York Times. One of last weeks articles was based on the acclaimed broadway actress; Cherry Jones. If you are a huge "broadway buff" like me, you may have seen her in the award winning show, "Doubt". You may have also seen her on the small screen in "24". Because of the article I gained more respect for Ms. Jones. The article basically gives the reader an insight into the mind of an artist, and Cherry Jones' many dreams, and imperfections.

     In the article Cherry Jones says, "I'm really not a very good actress. Let me explain. I don't have a very analytical mind, though I have a good imagination. I'm also not facile with language, and I don't have much irony. I'm a good Tennessee girl with a fairly literal mind. I stress too much. I pose too much. I desperately need a good director, someone like Doug, to break me down and just get me to say it- to stop acting and let these great minds that I'm fortunate enough to play have their say."

     Cherry Jones' words are so inspirational for me and for any artist, I believe. By this quote, Ms. Jones is letting all aspiring artists know that she is not perfect, and that no one should expect to be. Acting is a process that will never reach the perfection that an artist longs for. Once people realize that, that is when true growth will take place. If one were to become a perfect actor, there would be no need to act. Cherry Jones lives a representation of our world, as every actor should. She lives and breathes the situations and outcomes of our world. How could she or any artist be perfect when the world we are set out to represent is not perfect? Imperfections are beautiful; that is what Cherry Jones lives by, and everyone should. A world without imperfections is a world without progress.

Acting is the art and expression of imperfections.

     I would like to leave you all with this quote:

"The ability to play the clarinet is the ability to overcome the imperfections of the instrument. There's no such thing as a perfect clarinet, never was and never will be."

-Jack Brymer