An Important Acting Lesson from David Mamet

Back when the Atlantic Theater Company was first founded David Mamet, their teacher and mentor, sent them a letter. This is an extract from that letter:

“Our company is founded not on talent, not on effect, but on discipline - on the ability to do those things in moments of stress which we have decided to do in moments of leisure. If you think about it, this is the hallmark of a good actor. A good actor sticks to the objective, rather than the emotion. A good actor trains his voice and body and analytical powers even though this training is taxing and ‘no one may ever notice’. It is this strength of character which shows on stage.”

Of course, this echoes Mamet’s unique perspective on acting. The focus on what you do, not the effect, not that intangible bullshit called talent, which is lovely to have but practically useless if you don’t know what to do with it. I love the focus on doing something even though ‘no one may ever notice’. The great artist may use a hundred layers in a painting, but the viewer only ever sees the surface. I like that we should apply this to acting too.

Mamet believes, as do I that it is YOUR character, your personal qualities which make you the better actor. That it is not your commitment to transformation, but your commitment to the task, to your partner and to the script. Not only your commitment, but on the self-discipline to complete the task. Acting is still mired in Method-inspired crap, it’s great to know that for those of us who don’t want to disappear up our own emotional sphincters, there’s someone out there for us.

I have new acting classes starting in Glasgow in September and re-reading Mamet always re-inspires me. Thanks Dave.