Actor-Shaman

The actor as shaman embodies the hopes, dreams, doubts, and weaknesses of the audience – becomes a screen on which all of these are projected. But the screen must BE. It must not be blank and must be PRESENT and visible and OPEN TO THE GAZE OF THE “OTHER.”

Our instinct is to hide, either by getting small (physically or in spirit) or by putting up a front, by “acting” – impersonating or declaring.

To do neither is an act of courage that has nothing to do with fearlessness or with arrogance. It’s just to know and be exactly where one is in the present moment.

[updated March 1, 2009]