1. Be open to new ideas.
2. Be an active listener and stay present in the moment.
3. Give yourself a challenge and dare to be different.
4. Listen, listen, listen!
5. Stay focused and avoid distractions on stage.
6. Learn the script backwards and forwards.
7. Give the best performance you can give in every rehearsal.
8. Know your character inside and out…and let it show on stage!
9. Perform for your audience, not for yourself or others on stage.
10. Accept constructive criticism from directors, teachers and others who can help you improve your skills as an actor or performer.
1) Enjoy yourself.
2) Know your character.
3) Know your character’s objectives.
4) Stay in the moment.
5) Never act.
6) Be truthful and honest.
7) Make strong choices and always have a reason for everything you do on stage.
8) Listen to what the other characters are saying and respond accordingly.
9) Find out what drives your character’s behaviour and motivation? Why is he/she like that? How can you make him/her more interesting and complex? What are his/her fears, weaknesses and strengths? What makes your character unique? If you are playing a specific person, then research that person as much as possible. What was his/her life like? What were their dreams, ambitions and disappointments? Imagine what it would be like to live that persons life. Playwrights try to create layers of meaning with their characters, so find these layers in your character’s dialogue and behaviour.
10) Do not underestimate the importance of vocal work before rehearsals begin!
1. Love the show and the playwright. If you do, it will come across in your performance.
2. Do not complain about the quality of the material or the director’s notes.
3. Never attempt to change a line or an action without first asking permission from the playwright and/or director.
4. Do not be late for rehearsal unless you are dying.
5. Know your lines!!!
6. Trust that you are where you are supposed to be on stage at all times, even if it seems weird to you at first, especially if it seems weird to you at first! You may discover that it is right on! It takes a while to learn how to trust your instincts and your training as an actor, but this is when it becomes fun; when you can let go of all fear and just be in the moment onstage – then magic truly happens!
7. Do not make up business or actions unless permitted by the director. This goes back to number 3 above: if there is something that you don’t understand about a scene, ask the director rather than make up something on your own and hope he doesn’t notice!
8. Never use profanity before, during or after a performance with other actors or crew members
1. Don’t let nerves get the better of you
The biggest mistake actors make is to think about their performance when they should be thinking about their character. You can’t prepare for anything in acting; all you can do is allow yourself to be ready for everything. You’ll only know what your character needs if you are truly listening and reacting in the moment, not concentrating on what you think your character needs. If you have done all the work necessary to know your character inside out, then it is much easier to stop worrying about yourself and take care of your character.
If you are nervous before going on stage, take a moment to look at your fellow actors and remind yourself that they are the most important thing in the scene. If you’re playing a role where your character is angry or upset, don’t blow off steam by hitting the wall or screaming. It just reinforces in your mind that this is an upsetting experience and will make it harder for you to play the scene objectively. Instead, try laughing at something funny that someone just said, even if it’s out of context. This will lower your adrenaline level and allow you to concentrate on being present with others on stage rather than worrying about how nervous
The world of theatre can be a pretty scary place for a new actor. You’re standing onstage in front of a bunch of people, and you have to make the audience believe you are someone else. What’s more, you have to make the audience believe that you are someone else while also remembering your lines and moving around onstage in the right place at the right time. It’s no wonder that many actors find being on stage nerve-wracking.
But there are ways to keep yourself calm and focused and ready to deliver an amazing performance, no matter how scared you might be feeling inside. Below are ten tips for staying cool and collected while on stage.
1. Know Your Lines
The best way to make sure you don’t forget your lines is to memorize them as early as possible. You don’t want to be scrambling around backstage last minute trying to remember what comes next because it will distract you and take away from your performance. If you can memorize your lines early, then you will have time to focus on other things such as character development, blocking, etc.
2. Know Your Character
And I mean really know them! The more background research you do into who your character is as a person
Drama classes are an important aspect of a child’s development. Through drama, children learn how to communicate effectively and clearly in a fun way. They improve on their language skills, through the use of phonetics, expressions, written and verbal communication. In drama classes, kids learn how to express themselves clearly and have confidence in what they say.
Above all else, drama enables them to accept who they are and helps them be more confident about themselves. It also helps them overcome shyness and become more outgoing in social situations.
With all the activities that kids participate in these days, there is hardly any time for them to just relax and enjoy themselves without any pressure or expectations to do well. Drama lessons provide that environment where they can let loose and be creative without being judged or criticized by anyone else but themselves.
1. Learn to breathe
2. Love what you do
3. If you don’t love it, give it up
4. Take responsibility for your own development
5. Listen as if your life depends on it
6. Commit 100% to every task no matter how big or small
7. Don’t worry about what other people think of you (but do take note of the effect you have on others)
8. Say yes to everything that scares you (within reason)
9. Practice is the key to success – so practice, practice, practice!
10. Fake it till you make it – even if that means making a fool of yourself
