Whenever I find myself in a theatrical production, whether it’s acting or wig styling, I contemplate the creative process. I’m often aware of my creativity when I’m styling hair or dancing 5Rhythms, but when I’m with a cast of other creative beings, the energy is captivating.
I’m curious about the process and how it manifests differently with different people. Like with most things, the universality exists and that’s what I enjoy focusing on. I stumbled upon Wallas’ model of the four stages of creation and found them similar to the dance process I experience. Here’s how it applies to the acting process.
Immersion or Preparation requires reading the script, researching context and definitions, becoming familiar with the world of the play. Incubation happens when I’m memorizing lines. I’m done with the analysis and haven’t begun interpreting the words, I simply get them in my head. Illumination occurs when the words are automatic and I can personalize what I’m saying. As one of my acting teachers used to say, we cannot make it our own until the words are flowing off the tongue. That’s when the “a-ha” moments happen. It’s a beautiful thing to behold with fellow cast members, eclipsed only by my own flash of discovery. We seek Verification from the director, and ultimately from the audience. Is the voice of the playwright coming through? Is the director’s interpretation clear? Did the audience laugh, cry, or connect in some way?
Compassion, patience, trust, playfulness, and focus on our own part feed creativity and establish a safe environment for others to be creative. What kills it is pride, criticism, laziness, jealousy and finger-pointing. In such a busy world, tapping into our creativity can feel like a luxury. I believe it is a necessity to engage our lives with what makes us passionate. It certainly doesn’t have to be “art,” simply what gives us energy. It is our offering to the world.
