Why The Actor Must Listen

Are you listening?

A number of years ago I was walking in a field of long grass on a summer night. The moon was red. At the end of the field, a tall house was camouflaged by trees.

My mother had just died in the corner room. The ground beneath was no longer stable. My heart was gaping wide open.

At that moment, words arose from some place within, asking, “What do you truly want?”

I listened, and what I heard changed the direction of my life completely.

That night I realized I had to find a creative home—to immerse myself in the world of theatre and acting. I knew I had to move back to New York City.

Listening to your whole self is respecting all of who you are…

It’s often inconvenient to stop and listen like this. There are many things in your life to attend to. But there will be a feeling of incompletion until those inner voices are heard, and responded to.

Interestingly, this same listening is what each actor must do to bring any character to life… the actor must listen within to discover the character that already lives there.

It requires openness, curiosity and courage to confront the unknown.

This listening is not only a way into the inner mind—it's the way to the creative center.

Becoming an empowered listener is the gateway to your artistry.

As an actor, you must listen closely for the character within. This is the only way to achieve the experience of integration that brings the character fully to life.

My love of this work is what called me back to New York City that late summer night... and what I am also called to guide you, the actor, more deeply into.