Acting in One Dimension

For the first time we rehearsed part of the final scene in the play (scene 4.) In many ways, this part of KATB* defies explanation; at the risk of revealing spoilers, I'll try to keep it brief. Suffice to say that everything comes to a head at once; all of the characters's emotions and thoughts are expressed in their rawest and most explicit way.

When I first thought about playing a part in KATB, I wanted to play the antagonist (I won't tell you his name for the sake of the plot.) Frankly, an actor portraying him has got it easier. His lines are rarely delivered sincerely, and much of the time it's easier to display sarcasm than pure besotted infatuation. Plus, he's a very complex character. What was his past? Why is he so incredibly bitter? Has he always been this way? There's a lot of leeway for a correct portrayal of such an ambiguous character, probably because we've all acted exactly like him at some point in time. In a way, he's unique in the play as being the only nonspecific allegorical character. He doesn't "stand for" any one individual; rather, he's a kind of combination of the deceptiveness of Satan and the destructive pull of earthly guilt. Perhaps nowhere else is this made more clear than in scene 4, when he says,

"You can't be something if you're nothing!...And that's all you are...nothing."

In contrast, I was cast as Jesus's allegorical character, Sam. If there was a single more concrete, pre-formed character, I would love to hear who it is! Every aspect of Sam's character can be traced back to a Biblical reference. In addition, he's never angry and certainly never sarcastic–in fact, the only emotions he regularly shows is a doggedly persistent besotted infatuation and an innocent wonder at the sheer beauty of His marvelous Creation.

So as I've been struggling to accurately play Sam, I've grown to realize that exactly this sort of "one-dimensional" character is what we're called to be as Christians. Men and women who constantly spill over with faith, forgiveness, hope, wonder...and love. And as hard as it is for me to overcome emotional boundaries on stage and show only one emotion (for lack of a better word)...it's what we must do every day of our lives.

Rehearsal went brilliantly, and I was reminded again how truly fortunate I am to work with such great and talented (and experienced) people! Even the Tyrant herself seemed pleased by the end of practice. :)

And until next time, your wishes await!

–William

*P.S. "KATB" is my very convoluted acronym for "(The) King And The Bride." It's pronounced "Cat-bee." Thanks for bearing with me.