Finding a Method

As a college student, I learned to find the "beats" within every scene of a script- thoughts the dialogue follows and the moment where each shift of thought occurs. Then I learned to look within each "beat," and find characters' intentions and an obstacles. Intentions are what the characters want, and obstacles are the things keeping the desire unattainable. Once I find all these, I can start moving on the stage- adding blocking to the mix.

Beats.
Intentions and obstacles.
Blocking.

These are integral concepts to how I think, both as a theatre professional and as a person in general. I have a plaque on my wall that says "This life is not a dress rehearsal." Unfortunately, I do not get to read through my own life-script; figure out my beats, intentions, and obstacles before putting them to action. But I can look at my life and find them as I go, maintain a sensitivity to the shifts and changes that string my beats into scenes and songs, weeks and years, relationships and communities. In doing so, I consider my intentions, my obstacles, my blocking. There are days when I intend to talk to my sister on the phone and the obstacle is everything, or everyone, that can suddenly fill up a day. There are days when I intend to love more and the obstacle is my own selfishness. There are times when we intend ________ and can't because of __________. And how do we move because of it?

This method of acting, of living, is all about informing our movements. Its about the why and the how blocking our lives.

Beats.
Intentions and obstacles.
Blocking.
Repeat. Again. And again. And again.
Until you reach The End.