Forget That You Know the Words: Trusting Your Instincts as an Actor

In acting, mastery doesn’t come from memorizing lines—it comes from forgetting you know them. As Brian Cutler puts it, “You know the words, now forget that you know them.” This essential shift transforms actors from thinking performers to responsive and instinctive ones, elevating their craft to new heights.

The key lies in connection and active listening. Brian emphasizes, “If you’re really listening to [your scene partner] and really connected to him, then you can’t help but naturally, instinctively respond to what he’s saying and doing.” Acting isn’t about anticipating your next line—it’s about reacting authentically to what’s happening in the moment. By putting your full attention on your scene partner and following their lead, your performance becomes dynamic, natural, and compelling.

This process is rooted in comfort with the material and trust in your instincts. Brian references Anthony Hopkins’ advice: “You have to have the willingness to learn the words and the courage to forget that you learned them.” By trusting your body and instincts, you move away from overthinking and instead allow the scene to unfold organically.

Brian highlights the transformative power of this approach, sharing his own experience: “Once I studied with Charles [Conrad], he took me from being a co-star to being a guest star and starring in my own series.” This process equips actors with an invaluable advantage: the ability to perform reactively and responsively, setting them apart in the competitive world of film and television.

In the end, acting is about being present, responsive, and fully connected. Forget that you know the words, and trust your body to guide you. This is what takes performances from good to extraordinary.