Dreamdancer18

Wow! Great post. I have to say that in some ways I agree. Perhaps because, I've come to realize that acting has always been a part of me. It wasn't something I learned. I've just been a drama queen since the day I was born! I can look back in my life, even to when I was only 3 or 4 and I've realized how much my imagination really helped shape me into the actress I am today. I've fostered my abilities to adopt other characters by daydreaming a lot. And through my imagination I have been building a repetoire of emotions and situations that I can always subconsciously draw from.

I have never been professionally trained as an actor. In some ways, I have been hesitant to do so. It's always been something that has come from within. Granted I could always use advice and direction. But I do worry that studying acting will stifle the creativity. And as you say foster bad habits. I've already observed similar occurrences in other arts.

I only recently started dancing. I am greatly blessed to be somewhat talented at it and a quick learner. But having no real knowledge base to draw from, often my dancing includes my own interpretations. I'm much freer in creating my own dances and routines because I am not limited by rules. I have friends who are dancers, wonderful dancers but they scorn me when I just take off and make something up because it's not traditional. It worries me to think that studying acting might have the same effect. After all I am trying to get into my college's acting program, although from the classes I have seen, It seems well suited to my own thoughts on acting. That when you are presenting a character, every line, every movement should be a product of the moment.

This was a really great post, It definitely made me think. I just wanted to ask you what your thoughts were on practicing. What can you do outside of performance oppportunities to practice without falling into the traps of bad habits and stereotypical methods?

Great Job!
~Elyse