Reading more naturally
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3952
Printed Date: 11/27/24 at 7:14am
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Topic: Reading more naturally
Posted By: chel
Subject: Reading more naturally
Date Posted: 4/17/09 at 11:13am
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The Loudspeaker role for "1984" needs to sound pretty enthusiastic. While the audition I did for my actress was not bad, I really need to work on her sounding more natural. She sounds like she's reading, unethusiastically, she's off stage the whole show with script in hand. I think she'll sound more drone/metallic-like when we get her on a sound system.
Anything I can do to "teach" more "natural" reading? I'm having a special, (fun) rehearsal with my newbie actors to work on some pieces with them. I have taught acting before, but not professionally.
Any ideas out there? ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Replies:
Posted By: imamember
Date Posted: 4/17/09 at 2:27pm
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You could have her pretend different situations like say "Read it as if you're giving a first grade class a tour of a candy factory" or something suitable to how you'd like to hear it. Having her memorize it also might not be a bad idea, she could get lazy if there's no pressure to memorize. |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 4/17/09 at 6:42pm
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I'll try a Richard Simmons sound-alike. That could be fun. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 4/18/09 at 7:32pm
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She should DEFINITELY have it memorized. She can have her script with her as a crutch, of course. But, even if not seen, she's still ACTING. If she can't concentrate on character, how can she act? I've played Zack in Chorus Line twice. And I've always had to be memorized. I've had the script with me at the mic - but I had it memorized. IMO reading is reading, acting is acting. One can certainly read with energy and excitement - but it's not acting. |
Posted By: boogie
Date Posted: 4/18/09 at 11:00pm
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I like to start all my new actors by having them come with an object to class that is special to them (I do not tell them why they are bringing it). I then ask them to get up and tell about it. I have them sit comfortably in a chair with the rest of the class seated around them. This generally gets them to just tell about their object; being completly themselves. I then ask the group what was great about what the person did and what needed improvment. Usually the improvments are things like saying: like or um or fidgeting. When we are done I ask the group was this person interesting.. they always say yes (because it is true) and then I point out that the audience loves to see you being you because YOU are interesting and that, that is the antithesis of being a great actor or actress just being. This accompanied with lots of fun improv which helps loosen people up and get them in the moment and comfortable being themselves, I find always helps create great natural acting. Hope this makes sense and helps. |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 4/19/09 at 10:38pm
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Fantastic. Thanks. I had honestly not thought of making her memorize, I figured that as time went on she would be so familiar with the lines and paying attention to the cues it wouldn't be so much of an issue. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: lalunabella
Date Posted: 4/22/09 at 7:55am
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Great ideas already mentioned, but I also like to keep in mind that action creates emotion. When working with her encourage and experiment with movement that will help pump her up. Creating that schema of emotional memory will give her a place to return to during performance without having to perform the movement/physicality that was rehearsed. Does that make sense? ------------- "Yes I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one that can find his way by moonlight and sees the dawn before the rest of the world." ~Oscar Wilde |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 4/23/09 at 9:57am
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She already has to do the calistenics with them from offstage to keep rhythm. I'm going to wear this woman out...she thought she was signing up for something much easier. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: Rorgg
Date Posted: 4/24/09 at 2:57pm
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I know how that goes! Last winter I played George Bailey in a radio play of "It's a Wonderful Life." I got so worked up during the alternate-universe section at the end that by the time the show finished, I was utterly beat -- even though I didn't have to do anything but stand at the microphone and read. Reminds me of something else relevant -- by the end of the run (6 shows) I was pretty well able to be off-book and was really only spot-checking my script from time to time. That DID make it much easier to actually act. On the downside, during the final show, I managed to skip a half-page of dialogue since... well, I wasn't reading it and made the sort of mistake you make when you're off-book. |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 4/26/09 at 12:58pm
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Her Richard Simmons sound-alike helped a bit.
She's listening to clips of "Tokyo Rose" for some inspiration. One recording Tokyo Rose said "the voice you'd all like to cut her throat". I told her if she can make people feel like they want to cut her throat, then she's done her part just as I hoped. ------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |