#313: Take the Note
I love this thought provoking piece from Corey. My last blog also fell under the topic of receiving feedback and I enjoyed the process of reflecting on what I learned from one specific professor I had and what I did with her critiques. But I think Corey brings to light yet another compelling outlook to consider when receiving an evaluation from someone, no matter how big or small. I've slowly learned that constructive criticism doesn't have to be personal 1, because someone is simply believing in me to grow and be better. But 2, because the feedback helps in thriving as "part of the whole." Specifically, after reading Corey's writing I consider more deeply how my own growth can benefit the cohesiveness of the entire unit or mission I play a role in, as each part needs to be doing their best to flourish as one unit. Thank you Corey. Your sharing of your experiences and lessons from different points in your life help to broaden perspective in my own and to try to keep in mind the bigger picture as I walk through it.
- Amanda
Take the Note
I went to school for theater. Like any field and discipline, there are some experiences unique to that space, somehow shared by all who study it, regardless of when or where. I’m currently in a local production of a musical, and find life lessons from school and professional theater bubbling up to the surface of my mind. One that’s been present for me recently is being able to “take a note”.
Actors in a production receive "notes" (bits of feedback) from the director all the time. In the beginning weeks of rehearsal when decisions are still being made, it’s spoken directly to each actor in the moment of rehearsing the scene. Then, the practice changes toward the end, and all notes are given in sequential order of when they happen in the show, in front of the entire cast.
One of the things I learned as an actor was how to “take a note”. I was coached to listen, write it down, maybe ask a quick clarifying question right away, confirm receipt with a “THANK YOU!” and move on. If I disagreed, or it was a longer conversation, I would talk with the director privately, after all other notes had been given.
For a while, it was hard to remember that the director wasn’t giving me a note to pick on me — it was to make a scene flow better in the whole of the piece, or help me to sync up with a lighting cue, or get out of the way of a set piece or a someone entering. It got easier; the more notes I got, the more I could see my performance as part of the whole.
Learning this practice was harder for some of my colleagues. They would sometimes take up precious rehearsal minutes explaining WHY they were doing it differently, or talking through their perceived impediments to fulfilling the request, all in front of the entire group. It’s not that actors can’t have differing opinions, but the custom I learned was to always accept feedback when given publicly, and clarify or politely object to it privately. This shows respect to the director, who's looking at how each piece fits into the big picture, and also to the entire cast and crew by respecting their time. They probably have notes to receive and apply, too. And every minute is valuable as Opening Night approaches.
In school, when someone took time in clarifying a note that was subtle or minor, the director would sometimes reply simply, “take the note”. I remember once when, after a couple rallies to clarify, an actor persisted in their questioning, which moved most of the cast, in unison, to remind them to “TAKE THE NOTE”. (It probably didn’t help that it was quite late at night after a long rehearsal.)
This practice of regular, consistent feedback taught me how to gracefully accept it, and see others' "notes" for what they truly are: a benevolent observer’s perspective on how I might improve. And sometimes when I fight the flow, or sense someone’s statements as stings, I hear my past cast mates voices ringing in my head — “TAKE THE NOTE”.