Tips for Acting in Theater

The beauty of theater is reflected in how it provides some of the best adrenaline in the industry. Just imagine, acting live in front of hundreds of people at a time, with only one stop in between! It is easy to see why actors are so highly respected and recognized for their endurance and consistency. When performing in theater, not only do your looks need to fit the role, but you also must have the ability to dance, sing and act. If an actor is lacking these qualities, it may potentially lessen their eligibility to be cast depending on the show and casting director. If you choose to perform in live theater, consider taking Improvisation classes to keep you on your toes, should something go wrong, which in live theater is almost guaranteed! However, once you learn to handle spontaneous occurrences and respond truthfully as your character, those classes will certainly pay off! To learn more, read the Actors Nook article on Improvisation. http://actorsnook.blogspot.com/search/label/Improvisation

Many actors find theater most appealing for different reasons. For instance, theatrical actors have more of a flexibility to play a wide range of ages, unlike in Film or TV. (In theater, if it is believable to the audience, then it can be done, thanks to a little makeup and costumes!) They experience the applause, or lack of, from their audience during their performance! Due to numerous performances for a single show, theatrical actors also have the advantage of becoming better molded within their characters as time goes by, as oppose to a film actor, where they must do a scene, and then move on, never to return again. Theater also provides the ability for the actor to truly be in charge of his or her performances and choices, where the director of a film may have a clearer cut, restricted vision. Whether or not you may be interested in theater, participating in it will open more doors then you think! Encourage yourself to get involved, perhaps by taking a dance, singing or acting class for starters (since acting in theater is very different from TV and Film.) To learn more, read the Actors Nook article on TV and Film Acting. http://actorsnook.blogspot.com/search/label/Television%20and%20Film%20Acting

When entering the world of theater, there are many paths available. You can start pursuing theater by studying it through school, performing in Community Theater, church plays, or diving right in by auditioning for as many auditions as you can! A great advantage of doing theater, especially in college, is it allows you to participate, not only in the acting aspect, but the production aspect! Remember, your main focus is to build your credibility, experience, and knowledge. No matter how deserving you think you may be of that Broadway stage, no one can choose how long it takes for them to get noticed, so it is necessary to make yourself available, and take advantage of any opportunities you have. During the waiting for an audition process, an actor can prepare by reading important theatrical, biographical and historical literature. Reading through theatrical books will expose an actor to different, new plays/monologue or song opportunities for upcoming auditions. Reading biographical books on different playwright’s lives will allow the actor to better connect and understand the relationship between the playwright and his or her play. Historical books will reveal different lives, cultures, and circumstances that took place during different periods of time, so the actor can better relate when performing.

If you choose to pursue theater, do it because you can’t live without it. Do it because you love it so that no matter what the pay, role, or circumstance, you will always be on your own “Broadway” stage until you finally hit it big! –Actors Nook Team