Anne Bogart is also known for work, "A Director Prepares." Written in 2001, the book consists of seven essays exploring art and the theatrical world. Bogart defines each of these areas as the potential and fundamental obstacles in art-making, fundamental in the acting process. In her work she states that, "Art is violent. To be decisive is violent. ...To place a chair at a partial angle on stage destroys every other possible choice, every other option."
Each of her essays are built on the obstacles including:
1. Violence
2. Memory
3. Terror
4. Eroticism
5. Stereotype
6. Embarrassment
7. Resistance
In reading Bogart's work, I chose to examine the sixth essay, “Embarrassment.” Bogart begins talking about a creative leap to access hidden potential and that you must “leap into the void.” However there are no guarantees on if the leap was correct which could lead into embarrassment. She then states, “If your work doesn’t sufficiently embarrass you, then very likely no one will be touched by it.” It is important to understand that embarrassment does not hinder us, but is a teacher that actors need to utilize. She states that good actors will risk embarrassment and expose themselves in order to avoid natural human tendency.
Bogart, Anne. "Embarrassment." A Director Prepares. 1st ed. Vol. 1. New York: Routledge, 2001. 168. Print.
I would love to read more about the other essays Bogart wrote. We did not delve much into many theatrical practitioners' vulnerability this past semester and it is refreshing to see a famous, successful director who is willing to write extensively about embarrassment and the necessity of being vulnerable and afraid. I think it could be interesting to read more material in this vein in this class to paint a fuller picture of these artists.
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