Like most of us each year, students at Shakespeare For Our Children set out their New Year’s resolutions, itemizing what they wish to do better or differently: Learning lines more quickly; getting over stage fright; or playing a type of part they have never attempted before.
But often, our young actors focus so much on listing practical plans that they forget the spark that animates such intentions: Inspiration. Why do these specific goals matter so much? What is the bigger purpose they serve?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines inspiration as “A breathing in or infusion of some idea, purpose, etc. into the mind; the suggestion, awakening, or creation of some feeling or impulse.” And at this time of year, such ideas and purposes are oriented towards becoming the person we believe we have the potential to be. Or, to borrow from Ophelia’s poignant statement to Hamlet (Act IV, Scene 5): “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
This is why it is so important to remind young actors that setting admirable goals is not simply a checklist or annual routine but a means of becoming the individual that they wish to be ― that they may be. Learning lines quickly is important not only because of personal discipline (carrying out a responsibility) and “team spirit” (belonging fully to a “Community of Performers”), but also because feeling confident in knowing our dialogue frees us up to truly embrace the character and what our performance could be. And trying out a different kind of role is not just about testing talent but also about expanding the scope of one’s experience.
Emphasizing the inspiration behind the resolution can help children put the latter in perspective. We all know that things do not always go according to plan, and that what seems important in January may not be a priority in July. But remembering what awoke those resolutions in the first place will ensure that the person we wish to become is never too far away.
©2023