Originality

“You’ve gotta be original. Because if you’re like someone else, what do they need you for?” – Bernadette Peters

On the first day of my first acting class in college, the students were asked to think about actors we had heard of or seen on stage, TV or in a film. The question from the teacher was:

“Who do you think you are like?”

Obviously a trick question, all of us wide-eyed freshmen fell for it. We all chose some famous actor whom people had told us we reminded them of, or whom we thought we were similar to, and wrote their name on a notecard, handing it to the teacher. We each stood, stating the name of who we thought we were like. There were nods of agreement and audible responses from fellow classmates. When we had finished, the instructor scolded us. Tearing up the notecards in her hand, she told us that we needed to stop thinking we were like anyone else. We were all originals. Seeing ourselves as being like someone else was not only a mistake, it was a career-killer. 

That was the moment I began to question everything anyone had said to me about being like someone else. I thought about everything I ever told myself about being a younger version of someone else, whether that was concerning an actor, a singer or even a relative. Someone once said to me, “You’re the son of a mechanic, and that’s all you’ll ever be.” Some people said I reminded them of Robin Williams, or Dick Cavett, or Phil Collins. (Personally, when I look in the mirror, I see Brad Pitt. But that’s simply an indication of a deeper problem …) 

Recently I watched some of BDACT’s best comedic actors performing in a show with very mature themes. After my first glance of the cast list, I was intrigued. Director Enda Breadon had cast some very pie-in-your-face-slapstick funny folks to portray deep and sometimes disturbing glimpses into the abyss of mental illness, sexual assault, depression, suicide and alcoholism. 

Didn’t anyone involved know we were trying to do a serious play here? Who told those comedians they could play dramatic roles? That’s not “like” them. They were all fantastic, as a matter of fact. Returning to Robin Williams, I can honestly say I loved his dramatic roles better than his comic ones. The same is true for me when I consider Jim Carrey, Jackie Gleason or Fred Gwynne. Hollywood beauty Charlize Theron played a very non-beautiful serial killer, and won an Oscar for it. I’m glad those people didn’t think for one moment that doing those things wasn’t “like” them. 

The point is obvious. Each of us is as unique as our fingerprints. When it comes to you, there is only one. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are just like someone else, or that you can’t do something that most people would see as unlikely or out of character for your skill set. You are an original, and you can’t be duplicated. The depth and breadth of your talent isn’t even confined to what you usually do. You aren’t really even “like” you!

For me, this is at the heart of the power of community theater. You don’t act or sing or write or dance or sound or look or paint or sew or build exactly like anyone else. You bring what you have to the table, and it’s always something exclusive to you. Often, it’s even new to you. What a marvelous thing to realize and remember. I see it at work in every show. I am delighted and amazed by it. All those very original people create a very original experience for the audiences in our community.

Please don’t ever dismiss who you are and what you have to offer to BDACT. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You aren’t just like anyone. Just like pieces of a puzzle, we’re all unique. All those individual images work together to create the big, beautiful picture.

As we strive to create better and better programs, classes, artwork, music and performances, remember:

“There can be no true creation without originality.”

Please join us at BDACT. Bring your uniqueness and your originality to our next production. We can’t wait to work with you, and smile at what we can create together.

Visit our new website at www.bdact.org for info on auditions and volunteer opportunities, or give me a call at 920-885-6891.