- Don't force a character onto the script. What you say and do make the character and, as long as you've done the preliminary work, the rehearsal will reveal the character naturally. Forcing a character will make your performance melodramatic.
- Achieve dramatic tension, not physical tension. Speed is achieved in theatre by sustaining the audience interest, so if the actor maintains a constant state of discovery, the audience will never feel like the time is dragging.
- Make sure to ask, What am I doing? instead of brushing over with emotion. For example, "I'm trying to get the guard to give me the keys to my cell" instead of "I'm feeling claustrophobic".
- In a serious drama, find the humor within the dilemma.
- Three definitions for the word blocking:
- On stage, blocking is when you're standing in front of another actor.
- In Improvisation, blocking is when you fail to accept a suggestion from another improvisor.
- In rehearsal, blocking describes your movement around the stage.
- At any time in the rehearsal process, you should be able to stop and state your objective and obstacle.
- Acting is behaving naturally in a make believe situation.
- Acting is reacting.
- Acting is interacting. Really look and listen to the person you're acting with.
- Look through the script for words that have a sound. For example, 'bright' should sound bright, 'dull' should sound dull, and 'ascend' should vocally ascend.
- Quote: "The most natural, the most seemingly accidental effects come when the working of the mind is seen before the tongue gives it words".
- Practice reading out loud. It will improve your enunciation. Another method to improve your speech habits is to put a cork between your teeth and speak around it.
- Auditioning: Auditioning can be nerve wracking but I always try to look at it as a positive experience (if all I have is that 10 minutes to perform in a year, then damn it, I'm gonna perform my heart out!). Frankly, the worst thing that can happen is that you'll learn something about yourself. Also, see the note below on stage fright.
- Stage fright can be daunting for beginning actors, so here's some tips for getting past it:
- Stage fright always feels much worse than it looks.
- The audience doesn't want you to fail, they're out there supporting your success.
- Nervousness and excitement, physically, are very similar. Focus on being excited.
- Breath deeply.
- Forget about yourself and focus on what you have to do.
- Be BRAVE, be CONFIDANT, be HONEST.
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