In Act 2, Scene 1 of The Tempest, the character of Antonio declares to his comrade, “What’s past is prologue, what to come / In yours and my discharge.” Though fairly sinister in its context — Antonio is trying to convince his companion to commit a murder! — the statement has since been adopted to convey the dialogue between past, present, and future. How many of us have looked back on the events that shaped our present moment, or considered how a choice made today would influence “what to come”?
As adult as these concerns seem — however mature this relationship to time — these kinds of questions are also helpful when working with young actors. Think, for instance, about how challenging it can be for children to relate to the roles they take on. If and when this happens, you can ask them: Are there moments in your background that remind you of the character’s situation? What memories of past experiences can shape your approach to the future performance?
Playing a part in a play is not just about discovering a character; it is about an actor discovering more about themselves.
So much of Theatre evokes a world of imagination, possibility — and even hope — for the audience. All of these elements call upon the actor’s own connection to the role: “what’s past is prologue” to their interpretation of a given part . . . “what to come” is in their control.
©2019