I was a teenager when I started my professional acting career in the theatre. I knew two things for sure:
My life, forever, would be on the boards; but never writing on one.
I would never, ever be someone so ordinary as a teacher.
I would like to say this arrogance of youth ended in my youth, but I cannot say that. I kept it up for many years until traveling from theatre to theatre and waiting around for some supporting film role turned me into an angry creep, and I had to walk away.
When we start a new year in The Shakespeare Club and spend time exploring the Elizabethan period, I tell the girls that, in those days, women could neither go to school nor ever become actresses. I use this as an opportunity to introduce the idea of irony.
Shakespeare's plays have more male characters than female. Our club usually has more girls than boys. Thus: Girls often play boys' parts, and they learn irony.
The lesson is not lost on me either. Fortunately, I'm as capable of learning as I want my young wards to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.