What is this things called Acting?
Fri, 8 Sept 2006, 07:23 pmUPstageWA35 posts in thread
What is this things called Acting?
Fri, 8 Sept 2006, 07:23 pmLarge Meeting Room, Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St, West Perth
Seen any theatre lately? Been in a production?
Did you enjoy it? Was some of it, well... y'know.
UPstageWA is a company that wants to raise the bar on theatre. The aim is to provide opportunities for community theatre practitioners of all levels to learn from industry professionals and respected community theatre practitioners including fantastic networking opportunities for people in community theatre.
There will be a series of Discussion Panels and Master-classesi that "tell it like it is" on various topics. You may be confronted, you may not necessarily like everything you hear, but we assure you of the most interesting theatrical panel discussions you will ever experience.
Panel members will consist of industry professionals, respected community theatre practitioners, and people who have experience, background and credibility to shake us up a little. One week later, the panel will be followed by a Master-class which will deal with the issues raised at the panel discussion.
When: Our first Discussion Panel will be on Acting, Tuesday, October 17th at 7.30pm.
Cost: Discussion Panel is $10 per person ($5 for students)
Master-class is $15 per person (10$ for students)
Master-class bookings will be opened at the Discussion Panel – Places limited for the Master-class
Contact: Use the Write to Author link below to request more details.
UPstageWA - Refer to this link
The Craft
Mon, 18 Sept 2006, 08:49 amIf there is anything specific lacking or I feel needs to be addressed, it is stage craft. How to move your character around stage without upstaging yourself or other actors. How to make those movements appear natural, fluid and without stiffness. How to appear "Involved" in the scene even though you may not have any lines for the next four pages, etc.
The way an actor moves about the stage, in relation to the set, fellow performers, the lighting arrangements can completely change the presentation of the character. A Director can help to guide the actors through basic movement dynamics, but it is the development of the character itself that these dynamics can have either a supportive or destructive.
In nearly every show, there has been at least one or two performers whom have struggled with these concepts. Masking themselves unintentionally, not confident enough to move into a better position, etc. Common mistakes I have seen include;
- Take a step forward, speak your line, take a step back.
- Turning upstage presenting your back to the audience while speaking.
- Not paying attention to the scene and drawing (inadvertently) the audience away from the main action.
- In addition, not being "In The Moment".
- Telegraphing Queues - Actively listening for your key line.
- Leading with the down-stage foot when making big moves (turns your back on the audience).
I was involved in one production some years back where the male Lead walked like a Thunder-Birds Puppet. No joke! It was monumentally distracting for both the audience and the actors. The story was quickly lost and the focus was his style of walking.
Absit invidia
Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing ... and occasionaly dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
http://au.geocities.com/labrug
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