Taking up space like Lance Reddick

a tribute to the late actor discussing the subtlety in his intensity.

This isn’t a deep dive into his life, but more a reflection on his phenomenal abilities as an actor.

He could stop a room with a word, and a single gesture.

One of the best compliments I’ve ever received in studying theatre was that my dance training allotted me a simple, yet effective, trick: planting.

The art of “planting” simply means that one is stationary, but still dynamic in form. The form able to become larger with intention, while not moving a hair in either direction. It’s the energy you project up and out like a flame. Luring someone in like an unsuspecting moth until its too late. Or perhaps creating a barrier, or wall, around you to keep unwanted advances out.

You can take the air out of a room. You can push someone out of it. You can lead them to you. The options are…endless.

Add in a mastery of your text and you have a bone-chillingly effective performance. And while my performance as Madame Lyubov Andreievna Ranevskaya in Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard is still up for debate, I tip my hat to actors like Reddick for showing us that it is ok to command space, forcing focus. Doing so intensely, but quietly. Subtle control through the subconscious, tapping into some of our most primal, instinctual fears. To be unafraid of using the whole voice and saying it with your chest.

Lance Reddick had a distinctive voice that did not growl, or gravel. It would “pop” almost. It was like a switch turned on and his voice started. No extra noises, always crisp and clean. He said what he said. And he meant it. Precise and devastatingly accurate.

Sensory wise, joyfully satisfying.

Physical acting is always something I find fascinating. In the latest Creed movie, for example, Jonathon Majors is hugely dynamic in his character, Dame, opposite Apollo. Now, Dragonball-Z-esque-movie aside (y’all that punch was ridiculous, lol) Mr. Majors has always been a physical actor. He uses his body in bigger gestures and unique movement paths to take up space and guide the eye. Mr. Reddick chose a different approach. He chose to stay still, and let his physicality resonate to us differently. Let his physical form manifest outside of our visual fields and into our deeper nervous systems. We understood that while his feet planted firm into the ground, he grew roots, downward. His energy directed wherever it needed to go. Never failing to hold that scene in a vis-grip that looked as easy as lovers holding hands.

Reddick was also a phenomenal voice actor, to no ones surprise. Lending his chops to some of our favorite characters in the Destiny and Horizon videogame franchises.

RIP Mr. Reddick, you will be sorely missed.

Also, do yourself a favor and remind yourself of this gem from Funny or Die:

stay tuned, stay diligent little ghosts.