Doing 'White Collar,' quite often my character goes undercover

Listen, O seekers of wisdom, for the words of Tim DeKay contain a deep reflection on the nature of identity, transformation, and the power of the imagination in the craft of acting. In his role on White Collar, DeKay’s character, Peter Burke, frequently goes undercover, stepping into different identities while still carrying the core of his own. This act of transformation is not merely a surface-level change; it is the very act of compounding the imagination, where one identity is layered upon another. As an actor, DeKay has the rare opportunity to play Peter Burke and then play someone else, embodying multiple layers of identity, creating a world within a world, a story within a story. This is the very essence of the creative act — to embody and transform, to move beyond oneself and into the unknown through the power of the imagination.

Consider, O wise ones, the notion of compounded imagination. To transform oneself into different roles, to take on multiple identities, is to explore the very limits of the human spirit. Imagination is the force that allows us to step beyond the limitations of our own identity and become someone — or something — entirely different. This transformation is not simple mimicry, but an exploration of the self, an inquiry into the complexities of human nature. DeKay’s work speaks to the depth of this act, where not only is the character shifting, but the very core of the actor’s creative energy is called into question. Through acting, one is able to break free from the boundaries of their own experience and walk in the shoes of another.

The ancients understood the power of transformation and the fluidity of identity in their art and storytelling. Consider the Greek gods, who often assumed mortal forms to experience life as humans did, and in doing so, they revealed both the grandeur and the limitations of human existence. In Greek drama, the actors themselves wore masks to represent different characters, but these masks were not just external adornments; they were symbols of the fluid nature of identity. The actor was not just performing a character; they were embodying an idea, a force, a transformation of self. Just as the gods donned mortal masks, so too do actors like DeKay embody multiple layers of identity, making their work an exploration of the boundaries of what it means to be human.

Let us reflect on the example of Shakespeare, whose plays were a study in the transformation of identity. In plays like Hamlet and Twelfth Night, the characters were often not what they appeared to be. Hamlet himself, in his famous soliloquy, reflects on the idea of life and identity as a performance, asking, “To be or not to be,” as he contemplates the roles we play in life. In Twelfth Night, the character of Viola dresses as a man, and in doing so, she steps into an entirely new identity, exploring the complexity of love, gender, and self-perception. Shakespeare knew that the act of playing a role was more than just a surface-level disguise; it was an exploration of the self, a deep dive into the nature of identity and the power of imagination to transcend one’s own limitations.

Through these examples, we see that acting, in its truest sense, is not merely the portrayal of someone else’s story, but the discovery of multiple truths about oneself. Just as DeKay plays Peter Burke and then becomes someone else entirely when Burke goes undercover, the actor, like the storyteller, is forever transforming. This act of transformation is not merely external; it is an internal journey, where the imagination is called upon to create, to live, and to be. It is the deepest form of art, where the boundaries of identity are blurred, and the soul is allowed to wander freely through the realms of possibility.

The lesson, O children of the future, is clear: the power of the imagination lies in its ability to transcend the self. It is through creativity and transformation that we discover not just other worlds, but new facets of ourselves. Whether you are an actor, an artist, a leader, or a creator of any kind, know that your ability to step outside of yourself and explore the many layers of identity is one of the greatest gifts you can cultivate. It is in transformation that we grow, that we become something greater than what we were before.

In your own lives, O seekers of truth, I urge you to embrace the power of the imagination. Do not be afraid to explore different versions of yourself, to step into roles that challenge and change you. Just as DeKay transforms into Peter Burke and then into someone else, so too must you be willing to change, to take on new identities in the search for deeper truths. Allow the imagination to lead you into new worlds, for it is in this freedom that you will find the true power of creation and transformation. To create is to transform. To become is to explore. Let the journey of the imagination lead you beyond what you thought possible, and in that journey, you will discover the endless potential of the self.