ANNA
Well. I mean … “friends” is a strong word.
REFLECTION
A temporary truce?
ANNA
Maybe.
They smile at each other.
REFLECTION
Go get ‘em, Anna.
ANNA
Right back at ya!
Being an actor is a funny thing. Dressing up, playing make believe, small rituals, doing warmups and exercises that may look strange to outsiders. There’s a sort of shared camaraderie. Theatre kids get an odd reputation for being wild and out there and having a general air of feeling like they’re better than everyone else. There’s the jealousy and the critique and the mentality of ‘I could play that role so much better’.
You see it in movies and TV shows and social media. But, like with anything else, there can also be a lack of self confidence, a lack of belief that you are good enough. The insecurity, the anxiety, the opening night jitters.
This is where Judy Klass’ Wounded Vanity comes in. Anna is sitting in her dressing room, in front of her mirror, and doing her makeup. Preparing for the show that she has been cast in when her reflection starts talking back to her. They argue back and forth about how Anna acts, how she is perceived, how Anna sabotages herself. And Anna is convinced her reflection is out to get her.
I was drawn to this piece for many reasons. Other than the fact it speaks to the experience of being involved in theatre, I found it was a compelling piece. The staging was a minimal design: two chairs, a table, and a frame to take the place of the mirror. The bare essentials of a dressing room, which leaves a lot of potential to customise the set. Due to the nature of an actor and her reflection, it also leaves the opportunity open to have both actors mirror each other. Or not mirror each other.
Wounded Vanity would make for an interesting piece to see staged, and the storyline mirrors one’s self doubt in their own abilities to play whichever role they have taken on- whether that be on or off the stage. As Shakespeare says, “All the world’s a stage, all the men and women merely players.”
Wounded Vanity would make for an interesting piece to see staged, and the storyline really mirrors one’s self doubt in their own abilities to play whichever role they have taken on- whether that be on or off the stage. All the world’s a stage, all the men and women merely players.
Lara Morgan, Drama Editor
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