Gladiators of change

It’s a book of acting exercises, yes, but it also includes methods for understanding artistic interpretation as a way of personal and professional empathy. Hiller is well known on stage for his many years of success in acting, but above all he is known for his dramatic arts workshops; Among these is the workshop he led with Palestinians and Israelis at the Peres Peace Center in Tel Aviv, which has gained a special symbol today. actors.

Bernard Hiller (Buenos Aires, 1962) is the son of Holocaust survivors and lived in Germany and New York; where he trained to be an actor, singer and performer at the prestigious High School of Performing Arts and the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio. Sought-after dancer on Broadway and in Europe. He later rose to prominence as a prestigious instructor in artistic performance, dynamic communication and success strategies. A well-known “coach” whose fame and notoriety in the performing arts has spilled over into the business and personal sphere. “I have striven to live life in the most artistic and original way I could,” he writes, “and it has provided me with a life that is rich, interesting, fulfilling, and adventurous.” ».

There are almost forty chapters connected by a logical evolution from the first aspects of introspection to the completed projects for the necessary act of self-knowledge before discovering one’s best emotions. Performance of the future is surprising in that it is a reading workshop that goes beyond the usual self-help guides into a practical essay on the artistic medium that can be helpful in any other field.

Let’s think of famous actors like Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster, Al Pacino, Tom Hanks, Penélope Cruz or Luis Tosar and note their versatility in taking on antagonistic roles and making them quite believable. Behind this admiration there is a tremendous craft consisting of hours of work and rehearsals. Hiller argues that the difference between an actor and an artist lies between a legendary performance and a forgettable one. And to be an artist, regardless of profession, you must explore the unknown, step outside the compass to discover your true self.

Pay attention to what he calls the “openness” factor for players. Show yourself outside the box in five steps: A performance that shows more character; unique creative effort; be spontaneous and imperfect; constant devotion to the craft; and the best education possible, not to mention time or money: “you always overcome problems.”

The “transformative” exercises Hiller recommends begin as soon as you wake up. You need to stand in front of a full-length mirror, take a deep breath, separate your mind and quietly say: “I feel…”. Immediately after and after a brief rest, follow up with: “It makes me upset…”, where he recommends about eight minutes of detoxification and then continues: “It makes me upset…”. After a few minutes of silence, having eliminated all the negativity, you should jump into joy: “I will give my talent, my passions, my love, my energy, my heart, my creativity.” Finally, “beat your chest, stretch out your hand, and shout as loud as you can: ‘My name is ______ and here I am, natural!’ Repeat this three times with more energy and strength each time. Convince yourself how wonderful it is to be you, jump very high three times and say: ‘You more or less like it, that’s who I am!’

The book is full of positive aphorisms, so reading it is very therapeutic, as well as being an essential training guide for the performing arts industry. One of Bernard Hiller’s suggestions is this: “I believe that artists can change the world with their art, their talents and their voices. To me they are the gladiators of life; Artists have always been the engine of change in the world.