how to be a shakespearean actor.. i mean what qualities do you need to have?

Question

i need to find tips so that i can preform romeo and juilet for my drama class. and i need this asap so if u can help that would be great!

Answer 1

Performing Shakespeare is not very different from performing a modern play. You need a strong voice with good breath support, a willingness to explore the character's wants and needs, and the ability to connect with other actors and communicate with an audience.

In addition to the normal requirements, Shakespeare requires an actor to really take time to study the meaning of the text. Modern audiences do not easily understand Elizabethan English, so it is vital that the actor does understand it. Then, the actor can bring the meaning through to the audience through performance, body language, and other non-verbal cues. A good Shakespearean actor not only understands the text - they can make the audience understand it too.

Also, treat the text as much as possible like it's not written in poetic form. Make the sentences flow together like normal speech. Follow punctuation - don't pause after every line. Make the words your own and use them like a normal person would!

Answer 2

Most actors, I believe, would not categorize themselves as "Shakespearean" actors or "Comedic" actors or any other specific type of actor because a good actor should be able to do any type of role in any type of play. However, there are many actors who's talents lend themselves better to Shakespearean roles than, perhaps, other actors. Most good actors come by their talent naturally, although a great deal of study & practice is needed to refine & fully develop that talent. I have been an (amateur) actor since high school (I'm over 50 now) and have only done Shakespear twice - Julius Caesar & as McDuff in McBeth. I found Shakespear to be the most challenging acting experiences for me for 2 basic reasons. Mastering & interpretating lines & memorizing dialog is very challenging. Because the language is so different from today's conversational English, it doesn't flow easily and makes it difficult to interact, listen to, reply to & converse with the other characters. Also, Shakespear's plays have been performed time & again for several hundred years. The dialog is classic, well known and unchangeable. You can't ad lib, change a word, mis-pronounce a word, etc. Further your performance can & will be compared to the countless other actors who have done that role. Mel Gibson did a film version of Hamlet a few years back and was criticized, compared, & measured against every other well known actor who had done the role in the past - including the great Lawrence Olivier. Not many actors are willing to take on that challenge. If you really want to become a "Shakespearean" actor, my advice would be to just become an "actor" first. Study acting, practice acting, perform in school plays, community theater, college theater, etc. and develop your skills as an actor. Then any role, including Shakespearean, can be an open door for you.

Answer 3

A good , strong voice, a sense of drama and a good memory.

Answer 4

A presence of self confidence and clear diction. You'll be great!

Answer 5

PRACTICE POETRY!!!!!! Touh need to have tis a talk from the bountyless sea since my love tis touh deep.

Answer 6

Be strongly emotive

Answer 7

good acting ability