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[impure_tale]

Seeing as how circumstances tend to continually interrupt proper organization for a play -- be they disappearances, floods, or acts of violence -- I am wondering if I oughtn't consider reworking my efforts somewhat.

Would anyone have any objections to my organizing a general course in drama, for the learning annex?

Comments

[impure_tale]

That was the idea.

[lawofthejungle]

Teachin' the nice criminals t'lie. To be somebody else. Yeah, don't see how that can go wrong.

[impure_tale]

Only an amateur ascends the stage and merely lies, kitten.

[lawofthejungle]

So what do they do if it ain't that? Sure as shit looks that way to me.

[impure_tale]

Probably because you've never acted, just lied.

[He shifts in his seat like he's prepared to let this conversation go on longer than he expected to.]

A liar has one purpose: to convince their audience, be it a person or a nation, that something is the truth in order to gain a personal advantage of some kind.

The purpose of an actor is to take part in telling a story. Everyone knows it's a story. They become engaged in the story because the actors and the other participants in a production are able to make them participate, if at least emotionally, with what is happening on stage or screen.

When a particularly good actor, taking part in a scene involving a fight, struggles for the upper hand and takes a beating, if it is done well, the audience feels tension, fear, anger, even determination in camaraderie with the character. This isn't just because the actor is a particularly good liar; it's because in that moment they have become that character, and in watching the audience becomes that character as well. The best actor believes every word he or she says as though they were their own. They feel everything their character feels and are able to tap into those thoughts and feelings on demand. The actor does not simply tell a fib. The actor transforms.

Do I believe that exercises that would teach some Inmates and even Wardens to be in better control of their impulses and emotions would be useful? Absolutely.

Should this get off the ground I would even invite you to join us, Monsieur Creed.