"Just being yourself" vs transforming on stage

Do actors still need to be able to transform or do they just need to be themselves?

In this question there is something misleading: the idea that to transform you are not yourself.

If you try to “just be yourself” – all your characters will look like you or you might just play the ones that could. If you are happy with that then don't read further. This post aims to encourage actors that want to challenge themselves and be remarkable.

Your transformation is your own. Your starting points are your body and your imagination.

Develop your imagination and take good care of your body.

Through moving and playing you can practice the connection between both your body and your imagination. Play is a conversation with your character.

A child can be anything, so can you.

Actor Louis Pierris playing with transformation at the Summer mask Workshop'22 at The Bush Theatre. Photos by Lidia Crisafulli