John VesselsMay 29, 20193 min"What script were you reading?!"Actors: There are about as many ways to read a script as there are people reading said script. The beauty of approaching a new work is...
John VesselsMay 24, 20193 minThat's how it's always been doneActors: Never imagine that a brilliant performance of a work or of a character is so sacrosanct that you must emulate it in your work. ...
John VesselsApr 29, 20195 minNailing the DismountActors: My brilliant husband Jay teaches at a university where he changes lives and plays piano a LOT for a LOT of people. He was...
John VesselsApr 25, 20193 minWinning the gameActors: The performing arts is an EXTREMELY competitive field. There are a zillion of us, and there are three roles available. What are...
John VesselsApr 24, 20192 minSo you didn't get the part . . . you wanted . . .Young Actors: when you get cast--but not in the role you wanted: A. YOU GOT CAST, CONGRATULATIONS! B. Suck it up, and either do the...
John VesselsApr 23, 20192 minThat little voiceActors: In most of our brains is a little voice that serves a couple of purposes. Its main aim is to aid us in stage business: "Pick...
John VesselsApr 10, 20192 minYour last day . . . Actors: only do work you can be proud of. Read that very carefully. It's not only do work(s) you are proud of. It's not only produce...
John VesselsApr 10, 20191 minSo, how did it go?Actors: At the end of any exercise I usually ask, "How did that feel?" And almost invariably I get back, "My breathing wasn't good." or...
John VesselsApr 5, 20191 minDecisions and DiscoveriesActors: because life is a collection of decisions and discoveries, our portrayals benefit from a mix of the two types of event. Often in...
John VesselsApr 3, 20191 minObserving the mastersActors: by all means watch the actors you like and learn from them, but if you really want to learn how to play a human, watch a...
John VesselsApr 2, 20192 minPick a Team? When I was coming up in theatre, I worked with two women, great friends, one of whom was fiercely "method" in her approach and the other...
John VesselsMar 28, 20191 minNew technology!I've finally joined the 21st century and created a website. I've attached this blog to it to share my journey with you and to...