Introduction

In the theatre, each actor must find a way of embodying a character and a certain degree of latitude is inevitable, the result of the individuality of the actor. Each actor allows their experiences to filter through their work, influenced by the capacities and limitations of their bodies and voices. Physical manifestations are revealed through tempo, rhythm, gesture, and body language. Voices vary in prosodic combinations of pitch, volume, inflection, resonance, and rhythm. Experience is also subjective and a result of the unique history of the individual. One might be inspired when they apply a physical gesture to an action they are trying to play, while another might discover that paying attention to punctuation helps them articulate thoughts more clearly. Any entry point is acting. In playing a piano, the performer is making music whether their attention is primarily focused on finger flexibility, pedal dynamics, or sight reading.