Mamet: Auditions & Paint By Numbers

Auditions: First of all, this chapter was a little bit confusing at first. Basically, Mamet is saying that he hates the audition process; an actor is expected to pretend that this is the performance, when it is not, "For much of the beauty of theatre, and much of the happiness, is in a communion with the audience." Mamet seems to really not like auditioning, but it's an essential part of theatre. It may be hard at times, but how else would things get accomplished? Some of the advice in this chapter is kind of common sense, such as saying things like "I was terrible" is not effective self-improvement. Well, of course it's not...but we're actors and we're always self-conscious. Personally, I think I'm usually self-conscious because I don't want people to think I have a big ego. I try to force myself to stay grounded and humble.

Paint By Numbers: Mamet hates rehearsals. I agree with him; I also loathe the rehearsal process. He also does not like school; this seems to be an overwhelming theme in this book. I partly agree with him in the fact that if you have a group of competent actors come together and know their parts, they need not rehearse for months on end. Shakespeare and his fellows did not rehearse for long, for instance. They also typically did not attend school. I think that if you are going to study a specific field in theatre (technical, playwriting, directing, etc.) then school would be benefitial. But, if you're studying acting, school isn't necessary. I may go to graduate school to focus on Shakespearen studies; that's another thing that could be helpful simply because the language is so very different.