Acting Becoming someone else (for a little while)

What is acting ? is taking on the characteristics of another person.

What exactly are characteristics? What the character looks like What the character looks like What the character sounds like What the character sounds like How the character moves How the character moves How the character dresses How the character dresses What the character thinks What the character thinks What the character feels (emotions) What the character feels (emotions)

How do I begin? The first and most important thing to do is You will get most of the information you need by simply beginning at the beginning. The first and most important thing to do is You will get most of the information you need by simply beginning at the beginning. READ THE PLAY!

Know the story WHOLE Don’t just read your lines! Everything that happens in the story has an effect on your character’s motivations!

Why does he that? DO is the reason the character does what he does and says what he says.

Be a Detective Look for clues in the following places: Stage Directions Statements made by the character Statements made by other characters Relationships with other characters or objects

Stage Directions Usually in (parenthesis) Sometimes in italics (she walks slowly, with a limp) she falls to the floor, crying Examples:

Statements made by the character and others Look for adjectives Look for adjectives Look for likes and dislikes Look for likes and dislikes Look for explanations of the character’s emotions or feelings Look for explanations of the character’s emotions or feelings Look for ways he spends his time (hobbies, entertainment, etc.) Look for ways he spends his time (hobbies, entertainment, etc.) Be careful! Sometimes characters don’t tell the truth! Be careful! Sometimes characters don’t tell the truth!

Relationships with other characters or objects Where does the character live? Where does the character live? How does he live? How does he live? Who is his family? Who is his family? Who are his friends? Who are his friends? What is his job? What is his job? What does he own? What does he own? How much money does he have? How much money does he have?

Characterization characteristics are inner, personal, qualities, invisible to the human eye. characteristics are related to outwardly visible qualities.

Putting it together If you use the text of the play as a resource, you can find out almost all you need to know to play a character onstage. Learn to use both what is stated clearly and inferences to understand the character inside and out. If you use the text of the play as a resource, you can find out almost all you need to know to play a character onstage. Learn to use both what is stated clearly and inferences to understand the character inside and out.