Acting : Finding authenticity within the actor. Please share your thoughts! by Hidde Simons

"Acting. Let's face it, that's pretending. Should Dustin Hoffman not be allowed to do his role in 'Rain man,' since he's not a person diagnosed with Autism Savant?"

Hi all,

I am a Dutch acting coach, casting director and director. For a new project which I was asked for as an acting coach, I was confronted with the fact we don't have professional actors with a dissability in the Netherlands. Being frustaded about how much talent is getting lost because of this fact, the director of this film (who does have a dissabilty) and I decided to do something about this.

In a conversation I had with an other director about our new Wild Lam Foundation (www.wildlam.nl - I know, still only in Dutch...), in which we are preparing creators with disabilities for the professional film/TV/Theater world, the above quote is what he said.

In other words, it is fine to have an actor who does not have a disability play the role of a character with a disability.

After all, you don't have to be a murderer to play a murderer!

I didn't have an answer ready right away, also because indeed I once learned in theater school that I should be able to play basically any role.

But still. When I think about these propositions concretely, it is not so simple. When I cast, there are elements of the person behind the actors that help to make my choices. Elements that are not necessarily playable.

1. What character descriptions are there in the screenplay that are essential to the telling of the story? Male/female/X? Ethnic and social/societal background? (Non) Sexual preference? Physical and mental condition?

2. What does the director want to tell with this story? What about the Directors Vision and what does this mean for the interpretation of the characters?

3 a. What other characters are there in the screenplay? b. Does the character to be cast relate directly to these characters? c. What about the filling of these roles?

4. What does the entire ensemble look like? In a musical ensemble, you make sure you have the right variety of instruments to achieve the right sounds. In the ensemble of actors, it's no different.

And then you also have to deal with practical elements.

5. Which actor takes care of chair occupation? In other words, which actor brings the audience to the theatre.

6. Which actors are available? b. What do these points mean for point 4?

Let's assume that in professional productions, you get professional actors. And then when I walk past the above points, I do look at what authenticity and veracity the actor brings from within himself. Because (precisely) this too give the screenplay the complement that provides the depth and addition.

Of course you may not be able to satisfy all aspects. Then you will have to make choices (isn't that a big part of making drama productions...) between preferences.

But to have already slammed the door shut on one of the most artistically and substantively interesting opportunities for an actor to play a role that is relatable and recognizable - and can offer new perspective on a story is insane. Talent is plentiful, what we need is space for this talent to develop.

In short: in my view, it is too easy to just think "Acting is just pretending and actors should be able to play anything."

I wonder how this topic is being treated in your country? And I also are interested in your thoughts. All the best!