On this day where we celebrate one of the most influential humans in our history, I want to highlight an interesting story about Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, and how it relates to the artistry of acting.
A few years ago I was talking with a friend about how we could really use someone like MLK in our world of leadership today. As we spoke about his iconic speech, my friend let me know that he actually wasn’t supposed to include the “I Have A Dream” component of the speech. King had incorporated the phrase in his speeches several times prior to the March on Washington. However, his advisers discouraged him from using the same theme again, and he had apparently drafted a version of the speech that didn’t include it. But as he spoke that day, the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson prompted him to “Tell them about the dream, Martin.” Abandoning his prepared text, King improvised the rest of his speech.
As I thought about this last minute audible Dr. King decided to make, I couldn’t help but ponder what would have happened if he hadn’t made this shift? What if Mahalia Jackson never had that conversation with him? What if he did what his advisors told him to do? How would the world be different if he didn’t follow his instincts, improvise and make the bold choice he made? How would our story have gone?
In our world of acting training, one might argue that the most important components of this artistry are being able to follow your instincts, improvise in the moment, and make risky choices. As a coach who has worked with so many amazing creatives, I can’t imagine an actor authentically executing a scene at the highest level without applying all of the aforementioned philosophies. Great actors are so much more than talking heads on a screen. They are the storytellers who bring life…TO LIFE! These empathetic warriors open their hearts and their souls and share their innermost attributes with the entire world, applying what Stanislavski would refer to as Public Solitude. In essence, these artists do what most are not willing to do, in order to wholeheartedly tell the stories that need to be told.
As we celebrate MLK Day, and remember the man who made such a profound impact on our world, I think there is value in exploring how we can adopt and apply some of the attributes Dr. King so beautifully embodied. Ask yourself, “Where can I make more bold and risky choices in my life? How can I get more in touch with my instincts? What is a passion that lies inside of me, as a dream if you will, and how can I bring this dream to life?”
With so much gratitude,
Erik Lingvall
Catapult Founder/Chief Talent Thrower
