Acting 101

What is an Actor?

Multiple Select

Acting is, and will always be, a paradox. Why?

• It is pretend and real at the same time.

• It is a story about a story.

• People are never who they say they are onstage.

• You are present for a moment that cannot happen again.

Presentation & Representation

Both ways work, most actors will pick and choose from each

• Inside -> Out

• Use your heart

• Focus on organic response

• Mainly what you see onstage

​Real

• Outside -> In

• Use your head

• Focus on voice & body

• Usually associated with TV​

​Pretend

Multiple Choice

The purpose of "Method" acting is...

• to fully become your character in everyday life

• to stay in the moment onstage and deal with self-consciousness

• to be the best actor you can possibly be without real-life limitations

• to have an excuse for pulling crazy pranks on your co-stars

Focus on action, not emotion

- If you are trying to "be happy" onstage, you are not using The Method.

- Framework "I am [-ing verb] (scene partner's character)​"​

​The Method

Emotion & psychologically driven

- This is DANGEROUS and has cost people their lives

- If you are playing with YOUR emotions, you are harming with yourself​

​Misconceptions

Fill in the Blanks

The most important thing about an actor is that THEY believe what they are doing onstage. Why do you think that is?

​"Paint with the colors you have"

There is no "fake" onstage

• If you have a task for your character, you should actually do that task

• Instance​s where action is not enough occur

  • Relate something from life, but do not fully overlap your imagination with reality

  • Use narratives, stories or triggers ​(journaling, playlists, memories)

Be safe. Take care of your instrument.

Multiple Choice

Before you step onstage, it is important you make sure you...

• Stretch your body

• Warm-up your voice

• Memorize your lines

• All of the above