Why “Sin Boldly!”?

I’m sure that many people wonder why I keep saying Sin Boldly! So I thought that I’d take some time and explain why I include this at the end of every post. The saying, Sin Boldly is taken from a letter by the Christian reformer Martin Luther to Philip Melanchthon in 1521. Luther told is his colleague, “Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world.” And now you’re no longer wondering why I say Sin Boldly, you’re wondering why I’m spouting 16^th century Lutheran doctrine. What does this have to do with acting, you ask? It’s not so much the subject of Luther’s words that apply to you and I, it’s the sentiment.

I always say that I have no time for timid actors. It’s a trait you can’t afford to have on a stage or in front of a camera. It’s a liability in our line of work. You have to possess the strength enough to march out on stage and give your all no matter what the consequences. Martin Luther doesn’t preach avoidance of sin, nor does he preach sinning. What he saying is that if one is going to sin at all, one might as well do so the best you their abilities, because the power of their God is stronger than any sin. Like Martin Luther, I say that if you’re going to make a fool out of yourself, do so boldly, do so with gusto! Never be afraid to make your choices bloody and bold!

I was told through out much of my training to Sin Boldly and now I pass that on to you. I always found it to be a wonderful motto. But perhaps this saying isn’t to your liking. Perhaps you go for something a bit more rock ‘n’ roll: “Walk tall or, baby, don’t walk at all.” As Bruce Springsteen said. Or perhaps you like the sports adages more: “Play hard or go home.” It’s all saying the same thing. Do what you do to the best of your abilities or don’t do it at all. When I detail a way to work through a monologue and end that article with the words Sin Boldly! I mean it to be a battle cry. Those two words are my way of saying go out and try it for yourself! You have to try the things I suggest before you can decide it they work for you. I encourage all who come to this site to have the courage to Sin Boldly! I encourage everyone to try my suggestions and my exercises and decide for themselves whether or not they work. And I encourage everyone to send their own suggestion and exercises; to find what work for them and share it with others. This is a place of learning for actors, a place of sharing. So go out and discover what works for you. Go out and never again be afraid to make a choice! Go out and be Bold, Specific and Constant!

Go out and . . .! Now you’re catching on.

Want to Share? Bookmark this Post to: