Playing JAKE in A LIE OF THE MIND by Sam Shepard

Where do I start? I read this play during January and was moved by how Sam Shepard had written it. I didn't know what character I was playing, but wanted to challenge myself as an artist to portray someone who'd be way out of my morals and perceptions.

And that brings me to how I had to empathize on the character Jake. Jake in this scene tries to justify his actions to his brother about killing his lover.

Why? Primarily because of his insecurities.

We all deal with insecurities and try to hide it as much we can or try to hold it deep down within. Now it depends on the individual how they channelize this form of energy into their growth or not. Unfortunately, Jake chooses the latter by throwing off his negative energy during his snap moment against his lover.

Playing this character made me realize that there are no such tags of good or bad people. There is good in each and every single person in this world, but it is the choice of the individual at a vulnerable circumstance or in the loss of hope that truly defines a person's character