Help with Acting!?

Question

I am in a play for my summer school class and I am winter. She is depressed but a little feisty. How can I act that part? And other sugesstions would be great!

Also it is just a short 5 min play about how the seasons became 4. *It says that the seasons were all one at once.* I am (in real life) a very happy and hyper person so how could I calm my self down? :)

Answer 1

first of all when u speak u have to be loud but not cheerful. ur physical has to be close together and collected. These type of characters usually see the world outside themselves. they like to stand back and watchthings happen all the while thinking about them. So when u arent speaking, watch the action take place and soak it in. look solemn and complex.

if i want to calm down before a show, i take a walk with friends. we talk and practice lines and just have a good time. it calms the nerves and lets u connect with ur character.

dont drink sodas before a show!
thats my advice

Answer 2

As you read the script you should be able to feel how the words were said; whether up beat or down beat. Example: "Some day I'm going to fly in the sky and get away from this." Unless the script indicates a way to say that you should sense from the words and their surroundings that it's an up-lifting and energetic statement. "Some day I'm going to FLY IN THE SKY and get away from this" If the script says something like, Winter looked down as it said, "Some day I'm going to fly in the sky and get away from this." The words, looked down, should tell you that Winter was not so sure or enthusiastic about it. For some reason it was not an up-lifted spirit.

Put emphases where you sense it. If you are a true performer, you will sense it; but, you will still have to search for it. You do the best you can, and the director is there to make any changes even when you got it perfect.

Answer 3

You don't mention how old you are? What level is the summer class?

Anyway, me personally, as it is a five minute play trying to get any real detail will be difficult, but not impossible. All things mentioned above are some very good tecniques to getting to where you may need to be. But essentially I reckon if you think about winter, how you feel during winter and how you can imagine winter may feel you will go a long way. Remember with anything you are doing in acting you must BELIEVE! Buut also remember and try to not make it too hard for yourself. How you perform winter in this class is not going to stop you becoming successful.. but .... it may help you understand yourself a little more.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Well, it's hard to tell what exactly you should do, it really depends on the play. Try experimenting with the character, interact the way the character would in certain settings. If the play is contemporary, go somewhere maybe Winter likes to go.

But...for now, when I get stuck about a character I sometimes watch good movies to see how another actress interprets a character similar to mine or is in the same setting.

Some characters I can think of that are depressed but fiesty, are Winona Ryder's character in Girl Interrupted and Lauren Ambrose's character Claire on the HBO series Six Feet Under.

Try watching them and you might get a feel for the context in emotions, but, trust me, this is one of the funnest parts. Just relax, play and experiment. The more you explore, the more firm a hold you'll get on who you think the character is.

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

I've been involved in "theater" for more than 40 years, probably beginning even farther back in Garage plays.

Winter need no be anything but COLD, although you might insist into that character that Winter also aids SPRING, and after FALL, gives the planet a time to REST and regenerate.

Since you don't state the play,,, IE: The Ice Princess, etc, magic Flute, etc. I'll assume it's designed to be rather superficial, and if you aren't strictly interested in being the Hero,,,of Heroine,,, Then add to the Season, and its character,,all you know and feel about WINTER.

It need not be gloom of doom, and soooooo much of life, survives through WINTER,,,even if it is percieved to be HARSH, in nature.

ACT!!!! is my best advice... Place yourself in that PLACE,,, BE the SNOW and ICE, the WIND and COLD, and be cute while you do it,,,,smiles.

Break a Leg.

Rev. Steven

Answer 6

Try writing a depressing poem. Get into a depressed mood -dont stay there for to long- and have little things get you riled up. Not to explosion, just snappyness. I"m not creative enough at the moment, but if you gave me more details of your character, i might be able to help more.

Answer 7

I imagine winter as "Sighing" as is like sigh...a lot kinda always looking down and pouting, but whenever she is confronted by another element she gives them a little bit of attitude.

Answer 8

think of how you feel when you are very tired and somebody wants you to do something you do not want to do. think of being irritated and not wanting to move.

Answer 9

If you are a good actor, you can decide it yourself.
GOOD LUCK!