Basic Acting Tips

Basic Acting Tips

There are some very basic tools an actor needs to bring to a stage performance. Vocal and physical qualities help an actor in his/her portrayal of a character. The idea is to be a person or entity that is not the actor.

Multiple Choice

When acting, it is important for an actor to

• not show emotion with his/her voice.

• not use hand or facial gestures.

• both of these

• neither of these

Fill in the Blank

The character is given the stage direction to wave to the people at a table across the stage. The wave is a __________gesture.

Multiple Choice

When performing, an actor can enhance his/her character by using

• hand gestures

• facial gestures

• neither of these

• both of these

Fill in the Blank

If an actor is directed to smile, that is considered a ______gesture

Multiple Choice

True or False: A script is read just like a book--all the words are read aloud.

• True

• False

Stage Directions

Stage directions are a beginning guide to let the actor and director know what the playwright had in mind for how things happen in the story (script). Directors and actors can build on the basic stage directions, but they should be used as a way to honor the work of the playwright.

Multiple Choice

SUZY: (whispering) We can't let them know we are here!

BOB: How are they gonna find out (gives Suzy a little push)?

The words in the () are

• stage directions

• lighting cues

• characters' lines

Fill in the Blank

________tell an actor how to say a line or what to do, physically.

Multiple Choice

BOB: (bites into the lemon) Whoa! That is sour!

What should the actor portraying Bob do to add to his character?

• Throw the lemon off stage

• Smile and lick his lips

• Pucker his lips and squint his eyes

• Nothing. The line says it all.

Multiple Select

The lines actors speak help the audience know (mark all that apply)

• what the story is about

• who the characters are

• what the conflict is

• where the actors had dinner

• all of these

Multiple Choice

The Time, Place, At Rise in a script helps the actor know

• A) where to be when they are off stage

• B) what scene it is so they can prepare

• C) what the characters are doing

• D) remember their lines

• Only B and C

Readers' Theatre

Performing with a script

Multiple Choice

Even though scripts are used in a performance of Readers' Theatre, it's still important to _________ so it can be performed instead of just 'read'.

• rehearse

• stage direction

• block

• pantomime

Multiple Choice

True or False: Readers' Theatre scripts need to be memorized to be performed well.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False: The scenes we were preparing were a form of Readers' Theatre and needed rehearsals done out loud.

• True

• False