The Power of a Strong Point of View
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Mental Notes with Matt, I reconnect with my former Mason Gross School of the Arts acting teacher and longtime inspiration, Kevin Kittle. What begins as a conversation about performance quickly becomes something deeper - a reflection on voice, identity, courage, and the challenge of showing up fully in today’s world.
We unpack the idea of having a strong point of view, not just in art, but in life, and how the fear of saying the “wrong thing” can sometimes keep us from saying anything at all. Kevin brings decades of wisdom as a director, educator, and founder of The One One Project, sharing how he's adapted the Meisner technique to help artists reclaim their voices in a culture that often demands conformity.
This is a grounded, thought-provoking episode about truth, nuance, and the quiet bravery of being yourself.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What it really means to have a strong point of view
- How fear of being “inappropriate” can suppress authenticity
- The cultural shift in how young people express themselves
- Kevin’s new acting exercise and how it helps unlock honesty
- Reclaiming your emotional core and value system as a foundation for expression
About the Guest:
Kevin Kittle is a director, educator, and the founder of The One One Project in NYC. With decades of experience teaching and directing, including collaborations with legends like Arthur Miller and Sam Shepard, Kevin is known for pushing artists to dig deep, speak honestly, and embrace the full truth of their experience, onstage and off.
Follow his work on Instagram: @theone1project
Check out his podcast: It’s Not NOT A Meisner Podcast (@meisnerpodcast)
Let’s Connect:
Email: mentalnoteswithmatt@gmail.com
Instagram: @mental_notes_with_matt
TikTok: @mental.notes.with.matt
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