Sense Memory

An interesting thing that actors will do in order to recreate emotional responses is to recall specifics in their personal memory that summon the required emotion. I feel this is as false as a poorly executed stage punch. We are attempting to suspend the disbelief of our audience- why would we move so far away from the circumstances of the play in order to execute something as self-serving as sense memory of one's own experiences? I believe the actor should always endeavor to live within the circumstances as the play as thoroughly as possible. The way "in" to the role might be served initally by recalling events of abuse or passionate love, but ultimately the character's circumstances need to be served, not the actor's. There is an air of selfishness that I cannot seem to ignore when I see a performer dredging their heart on stage, slopping down muck before the audience's feet that does not honor the circumstances of the play. It makes for a more truthful recreation to be fighting for the problems of the character, versus regurgitating things that should be addressed in the actor's personal life with a therapist.

We must be giving.