I'm not 'blank' enough: A look at vulnerability

 I have been researching vulnerability as an aspect of acting, and what values it has in every day life. 

Brené Brown Ph.D, LMSW, is an established and respected American professor who describes vulnerability as 

"the core of shame, and fear, and our struggle for worthiness, but it appears that it's also the birthplace of joy, of creativity, of belonging, of love" (1)

 in her TEDtalk 'The Power of Vulnerability' (see link below). She links vulnerability to connection, saying "connection is why we're here. It's what gives pupose and meaning to our lives'(1). Her research showed that, often, people struggle to be vulnerable and subsequently struggle to form human connections. The idea that there might be something about you that someone might not like often prevents you from showing that aspect at all, however 'in order for connection to happen we have to allow ourselves to be seen. Really seen'(1). A vast majority of people are bound to feel that 

I'm not pretty enough 

I'm not clever enough 

I'm not thin enough 

"I'm not 'blank' enough"(1)

a thought that is underpinned by vulnerability, but allowing yourself to take chances despite this is what opens up the possibility to foster deeper human connections. 

How does this relate to my practice? 

As an actor, I am often required to use emotional recall to reflect on my past experiences, and manifest them in a way that is useful to the performance. This often means opening myself up in front of people to access experiences and emotions that are not always comfortable. 

Award-winning actor-director-producer Anthony Meindl agrees with Brown that 'vulnerability leads to connection'(2) and discusses the idea that we, as humans, are prone to shutting ourselves off from the possibility of connection when it requires us to be vulnerable. He uses the example that he was once leaning on subway doors while daydreaming and did not realise the train had reached a stop. The doors opened causing him to fall backwards out of the train. After jumping back on he realised there wasn't anyone around, but observed that had there been, most people would have buried their head in their phone or perhaps tried to look busy doing something, to avoid engaging with someone who had witnessed the 'epic failing of being human'(3). However he notes that he would not have done this, saying instead that he would have attempted to engage with someone about the event, because of the countless possibilities for connection had he done so. Meindl describes the basics of vulnerability in everyday life and then says that

 "in acting it's the absolute surrender to the moment and allowing yourself to be available in ways that go beyond your planning or exercising an agenda or playing an idea"(2)

 

(1)  The Power of Vulnerability|Brené Brown (3rd Jan 2011) YouTube Video, added by TED [online]. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o . Last Accessed 22nd Feb 2021.

(2)  Meindl, A. (2014). The 1 Reason Actors Need to Embrace Vulnerability . Available: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/reason-actors-need-embrace-vulnerability-11013/. Last accessed 22nd Feb 2021.

(3) The #1 Way To Achieve Greater Connection In Your Life - Anthony Meindl Acting Lesson (29th Jun 2014) YouTube Video, added by Anthony Meindl [online]. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuNVNM6zA-A&feature=youtu.be . Last Accessed 22nd Feb 2021.