Audiences Are Peeking Into Your World
Good Friday my fellow artist. Being in the industry for over 25 years as a professional artist, you sort of pick up a few things along the way. (Not to mention an entire college degree on the subject) I would be considered as an easy director, but I do have a short list of pet peeves. You know those things that can drive a director absolutely crazy??? You know those things that can make an already insane person throw a chair across the room and walk out of a rehearsal? lol Well I have never seen this on a set or in a rehearsal that I have been in, but I have heard horror stories and although that seems a bit extra, it’s usually because we, as directors, have the passion to match such over the top antics and want perfection.
With that being said or typed, the audience members are privileged to peek into the world in which has been created by the writing, director, actors and crew. They are the spirit and soul of what makes theater great, they bring life to the stage and something happens within an actor that can’t be explained when a full house is gazing up at the displayed art of choice. It’s a beautiful thing when theater and audience get it. But what I as a director cringe about is when the fourth wall is broken because an amateur actor begins to play to the audience for laughs, instead of staying in character and allowing the audience to take that natural journey with him/her.
So here is the acting tip for today: Actors as brilliant and cunning as you may think your character is, please don’t go "ham" and allow your ensemble work to become a one woman or man standup comedy act. It’s rude and disrespectful to your scene partners, the writer, director, and it shows your lack of professionalism. The theater goer is intelligent and when something funny occurs on stage, they will laugh. But coming out of character to be silly for attention, well that’s a big "no no" in a professional setting. And often times, because the actor is being selfish, those misplaced giggles can throw off an entire scene, and it may take too long to get back on track. Don’t get me wrong, the audience can perceive comedy in places that weren’t there either, my tip is simply not to force it when it isn’t naturally there. Until next week, Act On!
L.A. Holts
