Fear and Boundaries: Acting in the Shadow of Trauma

Returning to an academic setting to study acting after 12 years of working professionally has led me to a singular discovery: Trauma has impacted my life and my way of working so deeply that I could not see the forest for the trees. The role of the Mechanic in Will Enos Middletown presents the opportunity to challenge my habitual self-censorship. My entrenched fears of inadequacy and my lack of boundary setting have prevented me from finding depth and honesty in my work. I intend to use somatic practices including The Batdorf Technique and Fitzmaurice Voicework to attain a level of tolerance for the physical sensations that are associated with my trauma. Ive chosen the role of the Mechanic as it presents challenges that include physical violence and the depiction of addiction. I hope to transcend my past and move steadily forward as an artist and a wholly thriving human being