There seems to be some confusion about what listening means. I’ll often watch actors fixated on their partner’s every word listening like there were going to be a test at the end of the scene only to give the line reading they’ve prepared in advance when it’s their turn to speak. Bravo for trying but they’re not really listening.
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Listening is much more than hearing. Beyond the words, we see and feel what is being said to us. Inflection, volume, tempo as well as facial expression, posture and gesture are crucial to the information we gather when we listen. Listening is hearing everything that’s said and unsaid.
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Listening is receiving. When we allow ourselves to receive what we “hear,” it makes an impact that resonates on our face in our throat, heart, gut or groin. Listening is physical. Everything we hear, see and sense about what is being said flows through us, touching and informing us how we feel as we process and evaluate on our way to making decisions about how to respond. This kind of listening must take place in every exchange, verbal or otherwise, if we are to respond truthfully.
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All my best,
Philip
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Philip Hernandez is a respected acting teacher and singing coach in NYC. He is also the only actor in Broadway history to play both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. He created principal roles in Broadway’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Paul Simon’s The Capeman. You may also know him from his many television appearances: The Blacklist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, The Path, Bull, Nurse Jackie, Elementary, Person of Interest, Law and Order, Hostages and Damages to name a few. For information about acting lessons CLICK HERE or singing lessons CLICK HERE.
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