The fundamental struggle of every creative artist is to simultaneously contain, master, and ultimately liberate their material. As actors, we are the material from which our creations are made.
A classical actor might approach creating a character “externally” by focusing upon playing or mimicking outward cues (e.g. vocal mannerisms, physical tension, emotional “tells” etc) while maintaining a psychological distance from the role.
Unfortunately, the use of formal technique alone often results in wooden or stilted performances.
Alternately, a method actor might approach creating a role “internally” by entering into a character’s head space (E.g. identifying with emotional beliefs, thoughts, motivations etc) allowing the actor to psychologically “become” the role.
However, a purely psychological or “internal” approach to acting is often criticized for being self indulgent, maudlin, and even abusive in nature.
Both of these approaches give rise to difficulties for actors. It begs the question, “What do skilled, experienced, successful actors do?”
The answer: they synthesize both external technique and psychological insight to “live the part every moment” without losing self awareness or control.
Many of the best actors are (consciously or unconsciously) “mindful“ actors. Skilled actors are centred or “present” in their role during performance, while still maintaining a critical distance (their sense of self) at the same time.
As the famed actor Jack Barrymore put it,
I’m a bit of Peter Ibbotson and a bit of Jack Barrymore. At least I never utterly forget Jack Barrymore…It’s a curious mental state. I can never understand the actors who say they lose themselves completely in a part…there’s a double identity that’s very real….
How can this be? How can an actor embody a “double identity” and still maintain truthfulness on stage? This is function of “Mindful” or “Janusian” actors.
David Plouffe 