The acting process asks us to go to some unpleasant places sometimes.
A phrase that is said by some actors in training: "I would never do that."
When this is said, it means that the actor cannot truly imagine themselves in the "Given Circumstances" of the character. It is a big problem for someone aspiring to play complex and challenging roles.
The reply is: "But your character does. How will you square that with yourself?"
Thus we arrive in the realm of difficult subject matter.
We know we cannot judge a character if we want to play it fully. We cannot think ill of a person we are trying to play who is struggling to achieve something, whether or not we find it distasteful.
Likewise, there are themes , topics, experiences and ideas that characters live in that we might find personally repugnant, painful or even traumatizing.
What to do?
Each actor must decide for themselves if they are willing to explore the darker places of the human experience in order to represent them with authenticity. No one can make that decision for you. If there are things that you cannot get over, carry, or have experienced in your life that will prevent you from playing a character who also experiences these events, know that early and decide how far you are willing to go to be an actor. No one is forcing you to do this, nor should they.
Back to the statement: "I would never do that."
In acting, we are the character and the character is us. the actor takes on the circumstances of the character and must be willing to live their life for a while. That is what Stanislavksi's "Magic If" is all about: "...if I am in these circumstaces, with this background and experience, what would I do?"
I prefer if the actor, after a "getting to know you period," begins to use "I" when referring to their character. It helps identify oneself with the true circumstances.
Of course, the challenge for the actor is always how to go there, how to live there, and most importantly, how to get out of that reality.
The acting process teaches us that our creative imgination is the key to this dynamic. Imagine, then live fully the life your character lives.
You are them and they are you.
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