| By Ayanda Sithebe|
This question has many answers, from 1595-to-date, with different approaches and methods. Many of those answers describe acting as a deep dark hole that is complex and has no end, only a few individuals have brought light to understanding of the craft.
Defining acting has moved from just being about “portraying roles on stage, film or television”. My definition is driven by the materials I have read and the many artists I have worked with, which has enabled me to define acting as:
...................................................................... “Acting is the ability to reflect the Truth ”-A.Sithebe. ......................................................................
Lets briefly breakdown and look at the key words in the above description, Ability, is the know ‘HOW’, having the competence of doing. Being able to Reflect, is to ‘MIRROR’ something back towards its point of nature, in our case its life. The truth, is simply what it is, ‘BELIEF’ that is accepted as true, including your imagination in this regard.
Acting is about the details and specifics of life. For example, everyone needs a consistent reminder of how they look, that’s why we gaze at the mirror every morning but the mirror can only show you your features and external growth but cannot reflect your inner-being, behavior and your world. Acting on the other hand will give you an opportunity to reflect on these. With this element that is acting we are bound to relate to the different characters that are displayed through various mediums.
When thinking about Acting, try and think of the qualities of the universe and life from its conception being narrowed down to its core, projected out to its finer manifestation and think of all aspects and specifics of human existence.
Acting is a higher form of communication, it exhibits the days of our lives.
Ultimately, the ACTOR’s work is to mirror life to the world at every part of its aspect, displaying the way of life truthfully.
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“Universe, Mankind, Nature and Action” A.Sithebe
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