ActingActingBecoming Becoming

someone else someone else

(for a little while)(for a little while)

WhatWhat isis actingacting??

is taking on the characteristics of another person.

What exactly are What exactly are characteristicscharacteristics??

What the character What the character lookslooks like likeWhat the character What the character soundssounds like likeHow the character How the character movesmovesHow the character How the character dressesdressesWhat the character What the character thinksthinksWhat the character What the character feelsfeels (emotions) (emotions)

How do I begin?How do I begin?

The first and most important The first and most important thing to do is thing to do is You will get most of the You will get most of the information you need by simply information you need by simply beginning at the beginning.beginning at the beginning.

READ THE PLAY!

Know the storyKnow the storyWHOLEDon’t just read your

lines! Everything that happens in the story has an effect on your character’s motivations!

Why does he that?Why does he that?DO

is the reason the character does what he does and says what he says.

Be a DetectiveBe a DetectiveLook 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 DirectionsStage Directions

Usually in (parenthesis)Usually in (parenthesis)

Sometimes in Sometimes in italicsitalics

(she walks slowly, with a limp)(she walks slowly, with a limp)she falls to the floor, cryingshe falls to the floor, crying

Examples:

Statements made by the Statements made by the character and otherscharacter and others

Look for adjectivesLook for adjectivesLook for likes and dislikesLook for likes and dislikesLook for explanations of the Look for explanations of the

character’s emotions or feelingscharacter’s emotions or feelingsLook for ways he spends his time Look for ways he spends his time

(hobbies, entertainment, etc.)(hobbies, entertainment, etc.)Be careful!Be careful! Sometimes characters Sometimes characters

don’t tell the truth!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?

CharacterizationCharacterization

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

Putting it togetherPutting it together

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