I have, in some ways, saved characters that have been marginalized by society by playing them - and having them still have dignity and still survive, still get through it.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
In my stories, I controlled what happened in a way I couldn't in real life. My characters lived through the horror and degradation of the cruelty of others and they not only survived, they thrived. They gave me hope and laughter, and they kept me going in spite of everything else. They were my heroes.
Always when I directed the play, I was always trying to cast people not who were necessarily like the characters, but people who I felt had the essential component that the character had, some kind of soul for it.
In the old days, I just could not leave characters alone. Now I just try to keep the ones that still have something in the way of stories to tell.
I've never really played everyday people. I've played realist roles, but not mere daily life. There was always something incredible happening to my characters.
I'm not in the business of meddling with people's destinies - and yes, my characters are real people to me. They have histories and thoughts and yearnings and hurts and misgivings and pleasures that don't belong to me.
I know that some of the characters I played were trash. But then, I chose to take up those roles, as I enjoyed doing them.
Having done a lot of theater, I'm used to sustaining characters over long periods of time.
I've worked all my life to shed myself of any character.
I guess you could say that no matter what the characters are enduring, I try to make them retain their humanity. Their self-absorbed, grouchy, selfish, aggravating humanity.
I've played many characters that have consumed me and owned me.