Happy July 4th

At this time of Independence Day, I was thinking how, at one time – we were taught that being independent was the way to go. It is not strong and courageous to need, or rely on, anyone. I wonder that if a belief held firmly over 200 years ago, still speaks to us as strongly as it once did?
Actors know that it is all about being interdependent. We depend on our authors (scripts), our directors, our fellow actors, our imaginations, etc. Being a rogue actor doesn’t really get you anywhere. Even Lily Tomlin has her Jane Wagner, her theater owners and sound engineers, etc.
Perhaps actors are pointing society to where it’s going by reminding society that we all need each other. Now more than ever. When companies go for making profits independently of what is good for mankind – we get catastrophic oil spills destroying our oceans.
I did think of one way we actors are independent. It is important that we remain independent from stress, limiting beliefs and misunderstandings of our own power. As Stanislavsky said “At times of great stress, it is especially necessary to achieve a complete freeing of all the muscles”. Why? Because, he also said “The language of the body is the key that can unlock the soul.”