The Theatrical Component

With the passing of David Bowie, the time is a great opportunity to explore elements of storytelling and the theatrical connection to the character's role through which the artist connects to the listener. When asked about his fans dressing up to come to his shows, David Bowie said, "nothing to do with me, but the idea of finding another character within themselves. I mean, if I'd been at all responsible for people finding more characters in themselves than they originally thought they had, then I'm pleased because that's something I feel strongly about, That one isn't totally what one has been conditioned to think; that there are many facets to the personality which a lot of us have trouble finding and some of us do find too quickly." Many artists are successful because they understand that there must be a personality or soul to their work which is not stagnant, a factor which evolves. That theatrical component of carrying out a story. This is a difficulty for any artist because until the artist can understand that there is a much larger picture developed over time, they remain in the past which creates a disconnect with the present moment. Time brings a dimension to music that can often be overlooked for the sake of telling the story because the story is that thing with which the listener can make a connection. While people do find connection to a moment of a song, you never really hear a crowd of fans say how much they love a certain second of a song. They connect with the beat, the melody, and the lyric. Those things which have a component of movement over time. I do not want to let time go without mentioning that the Visual contribution to a performance is also an incredibly important aspect which aids in the telling of the story. This is another one of those important truths that Bowie understood. So I encourage you to find and explore all of the characters within you without being consumed by that character. The bigger picture is the truth of your being yourself. Let the exploration begin, you may find deeper exploration rewarding. Don't let your "circuits die".

"Space Oddity"

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills 
and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom (Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six,)
Commencing countdown, engines on (Five, Four, Three,)
Check ignition and may God's love be with you
([spoken] Two, One, Liftoff)


This is Ground Control 
to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule 
if you dare

This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating 
in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past 
one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much 
she knows

Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead,
there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you....

Here am I floating 
round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do.