Slogging Along?

There are days when I just want to turn around and go back to bed!  I love this image to the right; I think it captures what I'm talking about.

I'm lucky in that I have a great husband who knows me well enough to point out the areas of my life that might be contributing to this feeling.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: naming things can be powerful medicine!  I'm not depressed, I'm scared shitless!  I'm about to embark on a directorial juggernaut that few even attempt: Greek Tragedy.

Well, here goes nothing!  Tonight begin auditions and I'm up for it.  I have several challenges ahead of me, but isn't that part of the fun?  Figuring out how to make something work when I don't have all the answers?  Boy, life is rich.

Jumping in with both feet!  EEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

To Lie... Really?

So many people tell me they think acting is about lying and pretending to be something you're not.  In truth, I believe acting is the process of unearthing the elements in yourself that echo in the character you're playing.  I think we're all capable of many things that we may not need to apply to our everyday lives.  For example, I may never have to sweep the love of my life off of his feet.  However, I am capable of that.  Conversely, I may never have to kill someone (I hope).  Am I capable of both of these things?  Youbetcha!

Acting is about telling the truth from the point of view of the character.  If I play Hitler, I have to believe that I'm helping all of these people by either annihilating them or recruiting them.  If I take the point of view of an audience member who has a deep moral hatred toward this idea, I can't play Hitler or any other person/character with whom I have an objection.

Keeping in mind that acting is "living truthfully under imaginary circumstances," I want to make big choices to provoke an audience to THINK - during and after my performance.  If I don't play controversial characters, I don't have the ability to make people think.  Even more interesting is if the audience LIKES an otherwise detestable character.  Choices the character makes may be objectionable while the audience still roots for the character.  That's some great theatre!  And aren't we all complex?  Can we be relegated to cut and dry answers when most morality is ambiguous?

When deciding on the roles you choose in life or on stage, lead with your humanity.  By exploring the character of yourself and the role you're playing, you'll be able to understand yourself better while making big choices for the character.  Be BOLD!!!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Resting

You know, in the 1980's, "Relax" was a really over-used word.  I know there was a song about it that was a hit then...  I've never really liked the word "relax" as an order.

In contrast, I love the word "rest."  The sound of it conjures someone taking care of me with fuzzy blankets and yummy soup.

Today... take some time to rest.  Maybe someone will even bring you a fuzzy blanket or some soup!

Trim Your Life

You know, every now and then, it's time to look at your life and evaluate what's working and what's not.  Today I was trimming my hedges (which are wild and huge!) and I was thinking about the difference between trimming them for health and growth versus aesthetics/geometrical shapes.  I'm a naturalist, so I like a little wild and big for my hedges...but am I like that for my life?

So I started to wonder about what I trim in my life.  As a person with hyphenate careers (Rolfer/Actress/educator/student/wife & mom), I have prioritized things in my life to insure I can accomplish what I'm set out to accomplish.  After all, why set myself up for failure?  So, I've trimmed acting down to a minimum (only shooting a movie of late), limited my teaching, and focused on my wellness studio and my Ph.D. completion.  Thank the sweet baby Jesus that my Ph.D. coursework should be complete August 8~!  The answer to my question above is: Yes.  I do like to live large!

When living large, how do you figure out what to focus on and what to let slide in your life?  Something I'm always reminding myself is just because I'm focusing on another part of my life doesn't mean I'm not going to return to other parts when I'm able.  There's a time and place for everything.  The truth is, every time I enjoy growth in one part of my life, the other parts flourish as well!

Happy Trimming!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Pleasures Can Outweigh Worry

When speaking with a client today, I was reminded that every person needs to have at least ONE person in life who can be counted on for a bad movie in jammies with a side of ice cream and popcorn.  In grad school, my roommate and I would have a theme night of "I'm glad that's not me!" and we'd watch movies like ENOUGH all the while saying things during the movie like, "Wow... I'm glad that's not me."  Sometimes because we didn't have to say lines like the actors did and other times because we were glad we didn't have a hot man who was sadistic try to marry one of us because he just wanted to kill one of us.  I digress.

There are times in our lives when we might have heavier hearts than we should try to carry alone.  Grief, getting let go from a job, quitting a job, ending a relationship all can be better weathered with a great friend, some junk food (or carrots), and laughter.  The important part here is the laughter.  The body recovers far less quickly from a devastation without support and resources (like laughter) to help bring perspective and levity to the truth: this too shall pass.

So the next time you feel like you've been kicked in the teeth, put on your jammies and call over a friend for a night of bad movies.  I promise, it will cheer you up.  It's never failed me yet!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Add a Little Spice...?

Do you have a little secret that isn't really shameful, but you don't necessarily like to tell people about?  Well... for me...(holding my breath and closing my eyes...) that's my love of wigs.  Phew!  For some reason, I don't tell people because I think they'll judge me or think I'm... well... huh.  I think I'll be judged.

Yet...  I LOVE wearing wigs.  I love the transformation my appearance takes!  I have a small head and face, so I can wear lots of different types and styles of wigs.  I usually prefer longer length wigs because they make me feel attractive and feisty.  


I'm presently in love with the wig to the right (found on WowWigs.com).  I mean, who doesn't want to have awesome hair that you don't have to take hours to style and prepare?  I can just flip it on and away I go!

So the thought that might outweigh the hesitation to wearing wigs is that my husband might LOVE me in them because I LOVE me in them.  Stress and the vast amount of life responsibilities can weigh so much that the thought of being romantic falls to the wayside.  Well, since intimacy is reserved for my husband, I need to find ways to get in the mood.  Wigs inspire me.  I blush as I admit this, but wigs make me feel in the mood.  A good investment do you think?  Yes.  Undoubtedly!

When necessary, explore inspirations to keep your sizzle crackling!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Push Your Limits

There are times in life when you have skills that can be put to the test by giving yourself, or someone giving you, a challenge that tests those skills and refines them.  Scary?  Youbetcha!  Worth it?  Youbetcha!

As a student of psychology and a teacher of acting, I just directed a terrific show that challenged me, the students in the show, and the audiences who attended.  Because the devised original work was silent and behavior based, the students didn't know what we were doing (at first) and the audience seemed skeptical.  (SILENT VOICES, image to right)

What happened was magical!  The students became an ensemble; each trusted and supported the other.  Each student learned more about who s/he is and how s/he is in the world.  Theater is about humanity.  What connects us as people is what stirs the human spirit - that we are living and breathing in front of each other allows the experience of the actors and audience to be visceral.  That is what I love about directing.  Education allows me to set the stage, so to speak, and work with students long enough to be able to PLAY as we create.

Well, I'm going to be directing at PCC again and I'm playing with the two styles that ignite my imagination the most: farce and the Greeks!  Watch out, PCC, you're in for a human experience AGAIN!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin