Kevin Confoy
(fall semester)
Fall 2005 Evaluation
It was great to have Gary in class. He was focused, prepared and made real contributions to our dialogue. The value of the analysis in this class is most clear when questions and observations are framed within the context of this specific approach to a text and performance. Gary’s commentary was always on point. Gary has a particular perspective and by sharing it with such clarity and respect, he enriched our conversations.
Gary is inherently strong on stage. He has no superfluous behaviour and his characters are clearly motivated. At the top of the semester, Gary brought a real honesty and immediacy to his characters. By the semester’s end, that poignancy had begun to be somewhat clouded over. Gary is very compelling. He does not need to present the strength of his characters; it is implied, if not evident. It is not unusual that good, intuitive actors think that they are not ‘doing enough.’ To prepare a character thoughtfully; to articulate his struggles and to determine for him a particular strategy for survival is ‘enough.’ Gary should be confident of his preparation and of his abilities. Gary understands his characters. He appreciates the extreme nature of their predicaments and he has access to a wide variety of ploys to insure that they get what they need. Remember; a character spends the play hiding his vulnerabilities (and fears) and fights to keep his secrets from being exposed. To reveal tactics is to illuminate the very weaknesses that a character wants kept hidden. And, to demonstrate an emotion on stage will only sabotage it.
Gary is a very good actor. His confidence will only continue to grow as he avails himself to more opportunities.
I wish Gary (and his new wife) all the best.
Submitted on 1/11/2006
Personal Evaluation
“Why now?” It wasn’t the question we asked of each and every line but it may have well been. Breaking the Code definitely broke the code. Typically the class runs for a full year but Kevin was scheduled for a spring sabbatical. Class did not feel rushed because of this. One of the better elements of the class was the free flowing energy. It never felt like a chore to work on a lines or a scene alone or with scene partners.
Kevin created an atmosphere that allowed for worry free expression. Whether it was a brief conversation about tickets to a baseball game or a line that explained a character’s goal the atmosphere was accommodating.
Looking back on the class I understand why someone reading a play can get caught up in the intellectual instead of the human element. A play is a play about human nature and the characters are simply going after something. It’s said often but to have the light switch go off in your head sure makes a play much more exciting to experience/read.