My little girl is an acting genius. The ramblings of a proud dad, you say? Though she’s only memorized two lines (“hoo-hoo,” and “ha-goo”) the proof that follows is irrefutable.
Her world is full of wonder and her desire to explore it is insatiable.
Great actors are innately fascinated by and curious about their surroundings.
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She desperately wants to communicate.
She is passionate about what matters to her, especially getting fed and needing to have her diaper changed.
She lives completely in the moment.
She is always present, listening and responding, even when she should be sleeping.
She always knows what she wants
And she usually wants me to help her get it – RIGHT NOW.
She loves language
She is always finding new ways to communicate, explore sounds and the impact they have on her audience.
She explores her world through her senses
All five of her senses are vibrating with the need to know. Her favorite sense right now seems to be taste since, sooner or later, everything ends up in her mouth.
Her voice is completely connected to her breath.
Every sound she makes flows effortlessly from her desire to speak. No holding her breath, no artifice, no tension, just pure honesty.
She understands the power of actions
The intensity with which she pursues every objective is awe-inspiring. When she doesn’t get what she wants she works even harder to get it. When at first she doesn’t succeed she tries other actions like insist, demand, exclaim or looking super cute.
She is fearless and not afraid to fail
She’ll try anything regardless of how risky or embarrassing it might be. She instinctively understands that failing is the way we learn.
Even with her obvious gifts for my profession, I realize she may choose another path. Perhaps she’ll become a great spiritual guide for millions of people, become president of the United States or discover the cure for cancer. Whatever she chooses to do she is my teacher and wonder to behold.
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All my best,
Philip
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Philip Hernandez is a respected acting teacher and singing coach in NYC. He is also the only actor in Broadway history to play both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. He created principal roles in Broadway’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Paul Simon’s The Capeman. You may also know him from his many television appearances: The Blacklist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, The Path, Bull, Nurse Jackie, Elementary, Person of Interest, Law and Order, Hostages and Damages to name a few. For information about acting lessons CLICK HERE or singing lessons CLICK HERE.
Follow him on twitter @philip24601, on Instagram @philip24601 and on Facebook at @philip24601.