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Define Actor (was Re: Cheap Cheap)

Fri, 14 May 1999, 04:09 pm
Labrug10 posts in thread
Thank you Joe and Kristine for you encouragement. I'm tending to leantowards Joe.WHY DO WE NEED TO DEFINE THE ACTOR AT ALL?Trying to catagorise thesbians into their seperate groups will bea nightmare experience. You would have things like;Enthusiasts - They do it as a hobby.Dedicates - This is their ambition.Light Hunters - They seek the fame!and probably more! but is it necessary? Anyone of these could bepaid or not, in other words Pro. or Am.Attempting to group US will only lead right back to the stigmasof the current terms, no matter how many groups you have. Iconsider myself a professional actor - I am dedicated, I amambitious and I have been paid for some work. In my mind, tobe professional is not to be paid, but is a state mind andattitude. I attempt to do my best for (almost) any show I am in.Does that make me any different to those who see it as a hobby?No, an why should it.Same goes for directors, technicians, costume designers and anyother crew position. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. THERE IS NO US AND THEM!We all do it to get something out of it. Some do it for money, somedo it for love, some do it for both. Try and break them apart.Theatre is theatre wherever it's done, an actor is an actor wheneverthey desire.If you still feel the need to find a new term, why not call yourselvesPassionate Thebians. That'll keep the punters guessing while we sortthe mess out.Jeff WatkinsStepping off the box again.

Re: Define Actor (was Re: Cheap Cheap)

Sat, 15 May 1999, 01:27 am
Walter Plinge
> WHY DO WE NEED TO DEFINE THE ACTOR AT ALL?Sorry - it just comes over me every now and then, must be the medication!> Same goes for directors, technicians, costume designers and any>> other crew position. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. THERE IS NO US AND> THEM!I would like to agree - but in practice it's another story, especialy for the pro's.> That'll keep the punters guessing while> we sort> the mess out.> Jeff Watkins> Stepping off the box again.Your right the BOS's will sought it out for themselves - so let them do it!The differences within our own ranks, is our problem - not theirs!I could get into the techy and actor/light bulb jokes, but this is between ourselves.Also to try and answer Kristines question, about who cares who is 'behind' the show - she is correct, only we do!I can vagely remember being mentioned, in a good light, by a critic once - I think?But when it comes to tech stuff ups, problems with the shows "mis en scene" and/or things that go beyond the excuse of a creative accident. The crit is right on to them in lenght - these I can remember, only too well, in vivid 4 colour wash with all the specials and even dome/limes!We are simply part and parcel of each other (I think that made a good song once!)and who would want to change IT!Joe McCabe

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