Elle Shaheen in Becky Shaw

I’ve often struggled with the idea of realism in theater, more specifically writing a piece of realism. To clarify, I do not struggle with the idea of portraying something “real,” but it’s the oxymoronic idea of theatrical realism that confuses me. Because, after all, isn’t realism inherently not theatrical? I think there’s a reason why musicals aren’t often classified as theatrical realism. It is difficult to justify an outburst of song and dance. Whereas, in a play, there is room to justify an outburst of emotion from a character or some other theatrical event that may advance the plot or conflict, whilst still allowing the characters to remain relatable on a day-to-day level. While the material is considered “realist,” there are elements incorporated by the writer, director, and actor(s), to establish theatrical qualities that make the piece entertaining to watch.

The play Becky Shaw, written by Gina Gionfriddo, uses realism to display characters that personify human qualities that are deemed unlikeable or undesirable. In this clip, Becky is trying to reconcile with Max after a bad first date. Max is an inconsiderate, thoughtless, try-hard who plays with Becky’s “fragile” heart. Becky is a somewhat helpless romantic who emotionally blackmails others. In order to digest both of these characters, it is important to understand them in a realist context. Realism allows the audience to better understand the human experience and the nasty reality (trying not to repeat myself here) of people’s inherent nature. The genre provides an alley for understanding the real world and the people we interact with every day.

In terms of acting preparation, it was important to focus on the relatable qualities within the characters though they may seem unlikeable. Becky, in particular, is often described as crazy (especially by readers, viewers, and other characters in the play). However, she doesn’t believe she is crazy or has a problem. Especially when working under the realist umbrella, it’s important to not approach any character with judgement for it clouds your ability to relate to the person you’re trying to portray. For me, I tried to focus on her desperation. Based on her nature throughout the play, it seems to me that her desperate need to be liked and receive emotional support from others is what fuels her and pushes some of her negative qualities to the forefront of her character. When attempting to perform the scene, I looked to attribute her very real and human qualities to my own issues.