Stories Filtered Through Characters

tyunglebower ♦ August 28, 2024 ♦ Leave a comment

A few days ago, I auditioned for a community theatre production, as I often do. I have also been to this venue a few times before.

Like many auditions, in consisted of what we call “cold reading from the script. In other words, we read the script, with as much acting as we could, with others to create scenes from the play, as opposed to having memorized speeches to deliver from elsewhere.

One thing about this audition that for me was atypical; I tried out for only one role.

I never do this, or if I have before, not above once. Yet in the case of this story, this script, so connected am I to one spec icic voice, one particular angle on the story, that I expressed the desire to be considered for that role and that role only. The story, the essence of the piece as a whole does not speak to me from the other characters.

I think this happens with stories sometimes, both as the author and as the reader.

We bring certain things to the table when we approach a story. Personal history, preferences, time of year, time of day even. These particulars allow for a specific reflection off of the stories we consume. Most often, I dare say, this reflection takes in the entire story as an experience. But everyone now and then, as is the case with the production I tried out for, what we bring into the table is distilled best through one particular point of view.

A memorable, resonant character that does and says things that move us can, in my opinion, make up for other lackluster aspects of work of fiction. It’s probably best when we can delve into all of the aspects, but let us not dismiss the odd possibility that any given day it is not so much the story, but the story as filtered through a particular person that calls to us.

It may not be the most complete presentation of the story. In some cases it may not even be the most objective, (if objective point of view in fiction is possible.) But it might just be the most engaging, interesting, and worthiest of our time as readers, (and writers on occasion. )

As of this writing I do not yet know if I secured the role I auditioned for. It was the narrower, probably riskier way to audition. But when you find a voice that matters to you specifically to such a degree, it’s worth the extra risk.

If you’re acting. If you’re reading? Well, there no risk at all in this approach.

Love the characters you love, and consume stories accordingly.