HOW A DIRECTING STUDENT BEGAN TO LEARN TO PUT THE HORSE BEFORE THE CART

AFTERTHOUGHT:  a few weeks ago a former NYU Directing Student of mine joined me/us at my School of Visual Arts - The Art of Connecting (with people) class. She was there to demonstrate an exercise with me for that class. But, here's what happened (summarized). 

NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

Oh, José I feel so stupid. 

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Me

How come? 

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NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

Because you taught us all this same stuff at NYU and I thought it only had to do with  ACTING or DIRECTING. 

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Me

Well, yes, because if I had taught it this way at NYU they would have tried to get rid of me a lot sooner. 

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NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

What do you mean? 

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Me

I mean that all art has to do with human relations. The artist with themselves and their connection with their audience; the craft of acting has everything to do with a quality of connection between the performers and how that connection reflects the human condition of relationships, which in turn connects the performers with their audience.

Directing actors has everything to do with understanding this and being able to connect with actors about connecting with each other, in order to connect with the audience. 

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This work of "Temenos 12 - The Art of Connecting with People" is about all that. We are putting the "horse before the cart,"  where it should be. 
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NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

How do you mean? 

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Me

That's a great question. People who learn about human connection for art purposes before they learn how vital the quality of face-to-face human connection is to our everyday lives are being shortchanged. 


In "art school" the only place that I've seen embrace this concept whole heartedly is at the School of Visual Arts, where I teach now. 

Also, the reason your sitting here now, and why so many of my NYU students loved our work together is because I was modeling this all the time. I was showing you all how to create an atmosphere that was conducive to excellent collaboration. While at the same time sharing with you all these vital principles. 
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NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

That's right. 

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Me

Since you were in "art school," of course, your focus was on making art. Here, I say, the focus is on mutual understanding between you and your fellow human beings. If one can do that, all good things will follow. 
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NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

How is that?

Me

Because in order to understand anyone else, one has to understand the lens through which you view them. That is "you." 
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NYU DIRECTING STUDENT

Oh, that's groovy. I want more. 

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Visit: https://www.facebook.com/Temenos12

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"The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king."