The First Theatres by The Dysania Concept (2022)
On a warm afternoon, in the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens, a theatre named The Theatre of Dionysus existed. Here, the first plays were performed at the beginning of the fifth century. The art form was so popular that it spread across Greece, falling under three main categories: comedy, tragedy and satyr. Consequently, the theatre became a part of all human civilisations worldwide, creating a place to tell stories, share ideas and evoke emotions. Many people are involved when creating and performing a theatre play - directors, actors, light and sound engineers, set designers and more. So, in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll explore the qualities, virtues and skills that permit Theatre Actors to bring a character to life. Oscar Wilde explained, “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”
1. Communication
Theatre Actors must communicate with the crew to create the best rendition of the story. Even though only the Theatre Actors stand up on the stage to tell the story, they must communicate with their director and crew during the rehearsal period to develop and execute the envisioned version of their character. The constructive criticism and sharing of ideas with the director, the development of hair, makeup and costumes, and the construction of a relationship with other actors are some elements that require good communication skills to excel and shape their performance. So, as Theatre Actors do, communicate with your team, co-workers or partner when developing an idea. Sharing new ideas and feedback can only help the team prepare better for their execution.
2. Emotional Intelligence
Theatre Actors rely on their emotional intelligence to comprehend their character. When tasked to step into the shoes of a character, sometimes it is hard to grasp who they are, their intent, and why they feel in a particular way. Therefore, Theatre Actors trust their emotional intelligence to understand the shoes they are stepping into. If it’s the hero, villain or anything in between, Theatre Actors must study and learn who they are becoming, as well as their fellow actors, to create the best version of the character for the story. Similarly, we must study and understand who we are and who we must become in pursuing an idea. We must understand what makes us who we are, who we are surrounded by, and how these factors shape our minds.
3. Discipline
Theatre Actors lean on their discipline to excel in their industry and performances. Beyond a particular performance, a Theatre Actor’s discipline helps them pave the way towards building their career. Auditioning and being turned down, struggling to find their character’s voice, or even memorising lines and movements are the challenges they face daily. Theatre Actors must be disciplined to succeed in every step of the journey - from standing up and auditioning to memorising lines and performing in front of an audience. Discipline is their best tool to get roles and succeed in their performance of them. Hence, when proposing an idea, leading a team or chasing something on your own, remember to be disciplined about your process. Once you commit, see it through as best as you can. If you have an idea, find the discipline to develop it, present it and execute it.
Theatre Actors have allowed us to explore new worlds and teachings since the fifth century. Their passion and ability to tell stories and create pathos in the audience to make them learn or remember something they’ve lost are admirable. So, when bringing an idea to life, remember to communicate it effectively to your team - no one can do anything alone. Use your emotional intelligence to tap into yourself and those surrounding you as you build the identity of your idea, and be disciplined in every stage of the process. Now, we invite you to adopt The Theatre Actor’s Mindset in your life as we create and share ideas for a better place to live.
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