"The World Is A Stage"

All of my life I have loved going to the movies. I have enjoyed watching different people take on different roles and bring them to life. And when I saw my first play it was even more impressive because these people were in the moment in a role other than the real one of their lives. I saw people act and I was impressed.

In high school and college I tried out for a couple of plays, but the magic of acting never happened to me. One time in college the director of a play had me and another guy do an improvisational scene. To me that meant we made it up as we went along, and it did seem real. But not real enough to hold my interest and make me want to pursue further acting opportunities.

Instead I became a critic. I may not have been able to create the roles in the movies or on stage but I knew when I thought it was done and done with flavor and attitude by others. I marveled at some of the truly great performers I have been fortunate enough to watch, and I groaned through performances by people who should never have stepped before a camera or on to a stage.

Years passed by and I never missed acting, Never! I swear that is true. But then a few weeks ago I was asked to be in a church play, and for some insane reason I said yes. I have questioned that decision every day and every night since I said the words. And I have panicked every day and every night over whether or not I could learn all the lines.

Still I have to admit there have been moments when I was on the stage and the lines were in my head that I was transformed into the character I am playing. Others may not see it but I feel it. Jackie Cooper shrinks away to nothing and Joe Lumpkin (my character's name) emerges full force. When that happens I discover the magic of acting and I know what makes people choose this profession.

Now don't panic. I am not going to suddenly abandon my family and head off to Hollywood, or catch a plane for New York. I still have some sense in my head. Plus I know that even though I have felt some sort of magic on stage, I haven't noticed the rest of the cast or the director being transfixed by my staggering talent.

Still it is nice to know that in a small way I have felt something of what the great actors have felt. I have known the rush of having my personality leave and a new persona coming in to my body. For brief periods I have become the character I am playing and that is a thrill.

Now will I do other roles? I don't think so. I may be having a good time with this acting thing right now, but I am also still in a panic as to the memorizing that lies ahead of me. Maybe if I had a photographic memory I would be lining up another part. As I don't, I will make this my one and only performance.

I plan for it to be great fun, but also to be just one of those things we do once in a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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