Article August 3, 2009 Issue

'AND . . . ACTION!'

An actor's perspective.

BY LINDA FONTAINE

"STAY IN THE MOMENT! " an actor will hear a director or an acting coach say. These are considered the golden moments where the acting rings true, as if the actor were having the experience for the first time. They're the moments where inspiration bubbles up and fuels the performance.

As an actor, my training has taught me that one of the most important points is to stay present moment by moment in the performance—even while saying scripted lines—regardless of how many times a scene may have been rehearsed. That way, each performance is fresh and alive. Key for me has been trusting the fact that I'm working out from an infinite source, from God

who is the source of all being and inspiration. Since God has infinite ways to bless me, I can remain open to unexpected good. With this knowledge, I've felt greater joy, more authentic emotional expression, and certainly little or no concern over critical opinion. Just freedom.