Actor Choices: Know About 'Em?

Anna Gunn.
Photographed by Gage Skidmore.

 I remember in one of my acting courses at JMU having to write a review for a Mainstage production of Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman. If you’ve never heard of the play, it is incredible to watch live. The work consists of a collection of famous Greek myths performed with a pool on the stage. Yes, there was a pool on the stage and it was awesome. You may think it looked a little tacky, but I can assure you that it looked like a magical pond or lake one would stumble upon in a fairytale or midsummer night’s dream. Well, in regard to my review, we were asked to assess the overall production, offering our insight on the acting, the directorial choices, the scenery, the costuming, and any other facet of the play. I was shocked when I received a B- on the assignment, really believing that it was worthy of at least an A. 

I spoke to my professor shortly after looking at my grade, and, let me tell you, she really put me in my place. She is a professional actress with years of theatrical experience and an absolutely brilliant performer, not to mention incredibly beautiful. Everyone in the JMU theater department has enormous respect for her, so I was a little intimidated to ask her why my A looked like an unmistakable B- in red pen. She told me that my entire review, though pretty well-written, blamed the actors for every choice made in the production. For example, the fact that Midas’-golden-statue-of-a-daughter could not be carried down the narrow steps to exit the stage causing her to walk off was not the fault of the actress who played her, it was due to a stage limitation and safety precaution. In my review, I insinuated that she was a faulty actress, inquiring why she would choose to walk when she was supposed to be a golden statue. I didn’t even realize this was not an actor choice when I wrote the review, because, believe it or not, we blame actors for choices that are not in their control all the time and are super unaware that we do it. (Disclaimer: This isn’t to say that we should feel bad for them or see them as victims, because they’re lucky enough to do what they do, but we should just know what an actor choice is and what it isn’t.)

I think my teacher felt a little insulted by my review, but I eventually got a taste of my own medicine when I performed in my first Mainstage production. You see, at JMU, in every acting course, it is required that we write reviews about the theatrical work sponsored by the university. It seems a little daunting, but it really helps improve your own acting skills and knowledge. Anyway, through the theater grapevine, you start hearing what people have written about you in their reviews, and it was super, super, super aggravating and frustrating to hear criticism based on issues that were simply not your fault. I put my heart and soul into that character, so how was it my fault that I had to stand a certain (mind you, awkward..) way on the fake train so I wouldn’t fall off? 

The reason I’m sharing this story with you is because, not only is this type of  criticism the source of my chronic stage fright and the reason why I never auditioned for a JMU play afterward, but because it is so essential that when we judge or look at any type of theatrical performance, whether it be on stage, in a movie, or on TV, that we know what is in the control of the actor and what is not. If we don’t, then we are not reviewing artwork with integrity or credibility.

For example, I have never liked Skyler White, but I wholeheartedly adore Anna Gunn. Is it Gunn’s fault that a pool scene looked a little choppy because the picture transitioned from a camera out of the water to another one below its surface? Was it  even Gunn’s decision to attack someone on camera? (No - because she is not Skyler White or a “Breaking Bad” producer. She is Anna Gun, the actress.)