The Actor Communicates: Practice Familiarity
- Lachlan Stuart
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
A short blog on the concept of familiarity
Hi Actor,
This post is really about connection. How do we connect to the outside world? Do we feel a disconnect perhaps, in the way we communicate with others? Do we feel like we're more operating out of what we believe others/ society expects of us? Or do we feel like we are unapologetically ourselves.
I have a visualisation I would like you to go with me on for a moment:
When you go to a cafe, restaurant or shop and talk to the people working, do you talk in a different voice to how you speak to your friends? Do you say hi with the same warmth and familiarity? Or do you feel like it is another version of you talking? When they ask you about your day, do you hear it and when you ask them the same, do you listen for their response? Do you look them in the eye? Do you notice anything about them?
One practical thing that I recommend you do is to start talking to these "strangers" in the same way you would a friend. This can be challenging particularly if the other person is in a "customer service" voice. But really challenge the urge to disengage your own sense of familiarity. People are always communicating more than what they speak. They tell you more in what they don't say. So keep an eye out and be curious.
Often life is busy. We have work, family, friends, goals, dreams, insecurities, bills, rent, plans, shopping, events, appointments. It can be oh so tempting to just get in and get out with what we were there for. High paced society prods us into this state of "once I get what I want I can start living".
But life is happening now.
Stop thinking of life as one big race and make sure you have time to smell the roses. Connect with people. Even those strangers you'll never see again. Spend less time "on your way to the next thing" and more time "in this very moment". Next week we discuss One Minded Connection so stay tuned! Feel free to comment or reach out directly. Always happy to hear from you to continue the conversation.
Talk soon,
Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry nearing a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.
I really like what you suggest here Lachy😊I will try that instead of thinking “ please don’t ask me what I’m doing for the rest of the day” I will ask them what they have planned for after work😌