Posted on Jan. 8th, 2025

This is the thought that struck me today--the connection between grapes and the actor, the actor and grapes. Who knew? "The Grapes of [Craft]," we'll call it. 

That may not have gone over well with a Stand-up audience, but I promise you, there's gold here. So just hang with me in this peculiar thought for a moment. Your thirst will be satisfied.

This revelation arrived today in the form of an incomplete question, beckoning me to give an answer to this riddle: "if grapes could speak...Then what?" This is all I heard. And the creative thought process began to unfold from there.

So now I ask you, creatives, how could you complete this conditional proposition? What would grapes say if they could speak--speak in a manner which you understood? Furthermore, how would their conversation be remotely relevant to your craft as an actor, as an artist? 

I began to approach this riddle as an actor with a script that needed to be broken down. Once I locked in from this POV, I quickly decided that a brilliant, unknown author was utilizing the tool of personification to express some unexplored truth about this wholesome, extraordinary fruit. The grapes then began their ascent from a typical consumer mentality into the light of my childlike imagination. All I needed to do was watch, listen, and follow the story.

And here lies the gold I want you to receive. The treasure had lain between and underneath the words I heard the cluster of grapes whisper, saying: "respect the power of process... I'm not ripe yet...careful, skin still too delicate... I will be crushed soon but I'm made to be tasted, enjoyed... a painful process, yet a necessary sacrifice...just like Christ, I have a 'right time'..." Finally, I heard, "enjoy me responsibly... over do me to your own peril." 

The words the fruit spoke, the images they evoked were like snippets in a stream of consciousness film. The inner monologue went on further, but I needed to get back to you, the audience! Now, for gold's sake, here are the actor's connecting points. I hope they bless you as much as they've blessed me. Here we go:

1. Respect - everything begins here, or not - respect God, who created you and the gift(s) He's given to do good. Respect the fact that you are His chef-d'oeuvre, His masterpiece in creation! Respect His perfect timing to bring your destiny into fulfillment, respect yourself; your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit--so very precious to Jesus/Yeshua. Respect your colleagues, their time, and the craft itself. Respect the stage and the various mediums offered to share your gift. Respect the time and effort required to develop beautiful work. Respect the fact that your work will be viewed not only by an earthly audience but also by a heavenly one. Respect the craft as a team effort; it is not meant to be a self indulgent journey but a collaborative one toward excellence, telling great stories that transcend time. Respect the fact that if LOVE is not present in you, in your work, then it will be evident. An artist lacking in love cannot travel to the depths of the human heart and will always leave an audience languishing for lack of what truly satisfies. 

Now, for the sake of time, I will list in bullet points below the other fruit of the vine connections. I pray you follow along to receive the keys:

• Process
• Responsibility
• Humility
• Access

Who knew that grapes have so much to teach creatives? If actors and artists make time to look and listen respectfully to nature, we can glean immeasurable truth for our creative process. May your character and work develop like fine wine. ENJOY...RESPECT...LOVE!

Bonus info: Great Films on fruit of the vine:

(This short list of films have the adult actor in mind due to the themes involved...Parents use wisdom)

"Après Vous"

"Drops of God"

"Uncorked"