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Dear Class of 2020…
“We have never needed you so badly…”
Declan was invited by Nick Hern Books to contribute a message to the Drama Graduating Class of 2020.
Read his message and the rest of the collection at the Nick Hern Books blog
You know this already but…
At the heart of making theatre is acting.
Acting is not just a job; it is also an art.
Acting, live acting, is increasingly important in an increasingly commoditised world.
For the actor says to the audience: ‘Sometimes I act being me, but sometimes I also act being someone else’ – it reminds us of a very important fact, that we are all many different things. Accepting this can keep us all a bit saner.
In fact, whenever in your life you feel a little bit fake, don’t feel alone or ashamed, it’s often the most precious part of you in revolt.
Only the ad men and politicians want you to believe you should be one thing.
None of us is.
Your job is not to tell the truth. Your job is to make illusions. You will make them as well as you can and you will try not to lie. You will end up lying but you must forgive yourself and try again better, tomorrow. In fact, if the illusion you share is good then it may help people to destroy delusions.
But art like love depends on equality, so we will not make good art if we place ourselves either below or above the audience.
Above all, hang on to your common sense and develop it. It is a better friend to you than logic ever will be.
Keep wondering what is the difference between acting and pretending.
You are not a luxury.
Acting and art is our way back to reality, away from a delusional world.
We have never needed you so badly.
