Performing Art
I was talking with a friend last night about my show (Dec 11-13 at Links Hall in Chicago) and how I’m feeling conflicted about the way I’m portraying my life. As I’ve been mentioning, I’ve had trouble feeling excited and confident about the show. In the show, I don’t end on a pure or undiluted high note – I acknowledge that transitioning is hard, and I’m still struggling with a lot. But I do end on a hopeful note, something I’ve had difficulty really feeling as of late.
My friend was reminding me that it’s a show. My portrayal of myself on stage is obviously complicated and difficult. But I am allowed to take artistic liberties without needing to feel like I’m being dishonest or misrepresenting the truth.
And I’m allowed to give my performance-self a happy ending, in the hope that reality just might reflect art.
Themocracy
I think that if you can’t find fault with what you’re doing artistically, then you’ve already failed.
The terrible writers and performers are the ones who think they’re doing things perfectly.
If you go in there knowing you may do something wrong then you can accept it and realize it happens. It won’t be the end of the world. What happens happens.
An old bushido goes: Go into battle expecting to die and surely you will succeed, but go into battle hoping to live and surely you will not.
Hope this makes you feel better.
Oh, I agree. And I don’t have any worries on not finding fault…