When We Don't Like the Notes

Taking notes.

Receiving direction with... grace. 

Many, many, many times we actors are on the receiving end of notes.  We work for small productions, with one director, one stage manager, and accordingly get messages from 2 humans.  Affecting our work, the staging, safety, tone, style, blocking, and, of course, the scene work objectives.

Or we work in gigantic enterprises with multiple layers of authority, directors, movement,  SMs everywhere. There can be notes coming from 5 or more humans, often conflicting with each other. 

Anyone giving us notes has an agenda that we are not fully privy to....

We have an agenda also.  To be excellent. To keep this job. To show someone something. To impress someone. To be the character fully. To appear supportive. 

To actually Be supportive.

There is no judgement here - we truly cannot control the thoughts that surge into our mind as we receive notes.

We can resist them. 

That is not what the scene is about.

You are misinterpreting what I am doing.

You don't understand my choices.

I am confused.

You don't like my work.

You don't like me.

I don't see the scene/character/moment that way.

I give up.

Sometimes, we can say things We Do Not Mean, just to people please.

But this is people pleasing in the workspace, so...is it OK?

No. It Is Still Not Good for Your Emotional Health.

It is people pleasing if it Feels Like Lying.

Here are some simple steps to take when

You Don't Like The Notes.

Ask yourself:

What am I feeling?

If it is something akin to....Judged. Rejected. Defensive. 

Then ask 

What is true here?

There is very often something true in a note that rankles.  Some particle you can agree with.  Find that. 

And then, give yourself the grace to be curious.

How can I use this note to make my work evolve? The scene more clear? Support the story.

Give yourself time:

It is always appropriate to say 'Thank You'. And even, 'Thank you, let me think about this.'

Or further clarify, and ask:

What is the story we are telling here?

I understood the moment this way, can we talk about this?

Take the Note.

You may discover a different path that works for you and the director/SM.

You may dislike the result.  Keep space for yourself where you Know you can Revisit this choice.  If you try more than once to deliver the note, and either cannot satisfy the director, or yourself, write down your thoughts.

What I was asked to do. How I feel about that moment/scene. How I endeavored to deliver the note. What I want to do about it.

Then ask

Is this going to serve the play/production moving forward? Or just me. 

Directors, with the pressures from producers, audience feedback, and their own agendas, marry the integrity of their notes to their vision.  As creative professionals, there are rarely quantifiable results where we know 

I was right.

You were wrong.

That is the magnificence and the weight of what we do.

If taking a note chafes. Feels like lying. Know that. And allow the feeling to work through you.  

Ultimately, it is our job to serve the story, and bring breath to the vision of the director and life to the writing.

None of us will take the identical note the same way. 

Directors are also finding their way to express their vision to us. The show is dragging, you are milking a moment, this needs clarity, the scene lacks focus.

Or. I don't know what is wrong here so let's change something.

The best directors. The greats (many of whom are unsung).

Know how to communicate to actors.

Know to not patronize. Not damn with faint praise. Or cascades of praise.

They tell us what they need and give us a wide berth to explore. 

Then they shape and refine and help us focus.

This toggle back and forth is the process. Not always smooth. Why should it be? 

Taking notes is receiving the idea from the director and giving it life. Giving it a chance.

Release yourself from any judgement here.

Know this. Every actor with talent and integrity has delivered on notes they emphatically disagree with...

Not because their point of view is less valuable. Not because they gave up, or in.

Because they are professionals in a professional world and pick their battles.

What you need to do is Like Your Reasons.

You always have a choice. To Not Take the Note.

This may have blowback. You know this. You may feel

I always give in. I hate this choice. I don't feel right.

Don't let this fester.  Get coached. Coach yourself.

Decide how you want to feel in this moment.

Curious.... how will this work for the show?

Supportive.. I disagree but want the rehearsal to move forward.

Evolving... There are bigger elements for which I would like to advocate.

Peaceful...I made my opinions known.

If you ignore a negative feeling, that is freight to carry forward. Pushing it down adds to your psychic load.

Process it. And let it help you evolve.

And let it go.

The growth will continue.