Act Like a Professional
I recently had the most fascinating (and
frustrating!) conversation about exactly what makes an actor a “theatre
professional.” The basis of his argument was that “Everybody can
act!” Knowing that he was a visual artist, my retort was, “Oh, yeah?
Well, everybody can paint!” His less-than-thoughtful response was,
“Anybody can slosh some paint on a canvas, but that don’t make them a
painter.” I could feel my blood pressure rising. “So…just because
someone can memorize a few lines and not pass out or pee themselves on
stage, they’re an actor???” This wasn’t going to be easy.
To be considered a professional artist
(visual or theatre), study of the craft is required and getting paid
doesn’t have a thing to do with knowledge of craft. Being a member of
Actors’ Equity (the actors’ union) doesn’t equate to having talent
either, and I have plenty of examples from auditions over the years.
Learning lines is equivalent to buying a tube of paint—it’s just the
first step in the process. The American Idol syndrome has fostered the
idea that anybody can get on stage and become a star. I can’t tell you
the number of singers whose career has been cut short or curtailed by
improper usage of their voice. Kenny Rogers, Bernadette Peters, and Julie
Andrews spring immediately to mind. All three have required surgery or
extended vocal rest because of the damage done to their vocal cords. I
paid a lot of money to see Bernadette struggle through a show, worrying if
she’d make it to the end of Act One. Producers build shows around stars,
and then bad training or lack of craft rears its ugly head and the show is
forced to close. It’s irresponsible on way too many levels.
Good vocal technique is just part of
learning to be an actor—resonance, articulation, diction, vocal
variation…the list goes on and on. Layering a performance by making bold
character choices, trying out different acting objectives, changing your
subtext, and trying to stay honest about these choices make acting a
difficult profession at best. You can’t tell me that Meryl Streep’s
performance in Sophie’s Choice doesn’t reflect her knowledge of the
craft. Who else would have taken the time to learn to speak not only
perfect Polish, but German with a Polish accent?
After a little too much ranting, I’m
still not sure I changed his mind. Hopefully, gentle readers, you may be a
bit more enlightened about the actor’s craft. I’m sure I’ll feel
compelled to blab more about this later.
On to the matters at hand! The summer’s
just starting and we’ve got a calendar full of arts-related events to
keep you busy. Let’s start with some professional artists and galleries!
MOSAIC, a newly formed gallery collective,
has their “Second Saturdays” art walk Saturday, June 14, from 6–9
p.m. featuring:
Aerie Art Gallery (45½ Lake Ave. and a
second location at 70 Rehoboth Ave., First St. Station) features
impressionist sea and landscapes of the local area created by artist Larry
Horowitz. An artists’ reception will be held on Sunday, June 15, from
6–9 p.m. A reception at Third Street will be held on June 29, from 5–8
p.m., to celebrate the Poole’s 45th anniversary.
Amandeline Gallery (403 Rehoboth Ave.) is
showcasing the playful, vibrant animal art by Toronto artist Karen
Hoepting, along with works featuring pets. A portion of the proceeds will
be donated to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary organization.
Coastal Frameshop and Gallery (4284-B
Highway One) “Nature’s Palette,“ original watercolors by
award-winning artist, C. Viers Mace, a Dewey Beach resident known for his
seascapes and wooded vales.
Detail Gallery (54 Baltimore Ave.)
“Animals In Art,” an eclectic mix of paintings, collage and
photography by artists Cynthia Burke, Cami Johnson, Sarah Ogren, and Kelly
Puissegur. 10% of proceeds during the gallery walk will be donated to the
Delaware Humane Society.
Gallery 50 (50-A Wilmington Ave.) “New
Works” by Brian Petro, a popular DC artist who works in a variety of
mediums. This multi-media work ranges in subject matter from iconic
architectural structures to everyday produce and household items.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Ave.)
“The Conceptual Jewelry Project,” consisting of new works by Japanese
artist Sakurako Shimizu. The work is an exploration of the fundamental
elements of jewelry for maximum aesthetic and conceptual value.
Kennedy Gallery (140 Rehoboth Ave.) is
hosting artist Joyce Zeigler, recognized for her wonderful original oils
and landscapes, florals and wildlife.
Panache Gallery (129-B Rehoboth Ave.) is
featuring beautiful hand-blown glass by Studio Paran. Each piece has a
strong design inspired by East Asian ceramics, with bold use of color and
innovative form.
Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Ave) is
displaying the fine art works of over fifteen artists in paintings,
sculpture, mixed media, photography and glass. Wine samplings by “Cape
Wine & Spirits” will round out the festivities.
Thunderbird Gallery (200 Rehoboth Ave.)
celebrates its 56th year in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Artists include:
Stephen Harlan, John Powell and Don Dahlke.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (39 Baltimore Ave.)
is featuring new abstract works by Ward Ellinger. 10% of sales will
benefit the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.
Custom professional framing for many of the
local galleries and all individuals is also offered. For more information
about MOSAIC or any of the galleries listed above please visit on-line at
www.MosaicRehoboth.com
At the Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane
in Henlopen Acres) through July 13: Conversations: Pastel Paintings by
Anita Peghini-Raber in the Homestead Gallery. 35th Annual Members’ Craft
Exhibition in the Corkran and Tubbs Galleries. Still Crazy After All These
Years: Mixed Media Paintings by Pam Bounds-Seemans in the Ventures
Gallery.
The third Rehoboth Beach plein air
competition is June 20-22. You’ll have the opportunity to watch artists
at work, purchase completed art and enjoy the sites through the eyes of
the artists. The event is sponsored by Community Bank and the Bellmoor
Inn, and co-sponsored by Rehoboth Beach Main Street, the Village
Improvement Association and the Rehoboth Art League.
June 13-15 will be the final performances
of Possum Point Players’ (441 Old Laurel Highway in Georgetown)
presentation of The Little Foxes. Is this PPP’s “Little” season?
They did Little Shop of Horrors earlier this spring. Maybe The Little
Mermaid is in their future! Call 302-856-4560 for tickets.
Dewey Beach Enterprises presents the Clear
Space Theatre Company in 100 Years of Broadway, a one-hour musical revue
in the Bay Center at Ruddertowne every Wednesday night at 5:30 and 7:30.
Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults and are available at the
door.
Well,
by golly, I think that’s all this theatre professional can write for
this edition.
Support
the arts!
Send
your Arts events to dyetter@ClearSpaceProductions.org
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