He says that they begin the day with “Yoga first thing and then scene work with lots of questions on intentions and relationships onstage.” Rehearsing is something done with a director present, where the actors work together to create relationships that feel honest.
Performance days include “long warmups of voice and body and plenty of snacks and water backstage for energy. The job is to learn the lines so well you can ‘forget’ them and focus on the moment.”
Acting, like a lot of careers in the arts sector, tends to require auditioning or writing proposals for a project and moving from one gig to the next, like a contract job. According to Mr. O’Conor, “Between gigs is auditions and whatever day job you might need. I'm a tour guide!”
In order to get a bit more perspective on careers outside of the arts, I asked him if Irish people value vocational routes equally to college routes. He said "Traditionally yes.There were technical schools and apprenticeships in trades (electricians etc.), though those have waned in recent decades as college education is seen as a necessary step in the economy. Boo.”
This made me reflect on my own high school and college decisions. In Garrard County High School, there are vocational paths of carpentry and electrical studies offered. Is it the same in Greenup County schools?
“Fight the good fight. It's a dark time for America but the young people are more empathetic and more solidified than many of their forbears. Look out for your neighbours. Look out for each other. Don't believe everything you read. Keep art and nature close and you can't go too far wrong.”
