How to put yourself in the mindset of a little boy?

Question

I'm a highschool girl who has to play a little boy in a play (specifically Prince Henry in Shakespeare's King John). Does anyone have any tips/ exercises for me?

Answer 1

Boys are just like girls! But instead of Barbies its Trucks! Let go. Have fun. Don't think. Just "be"!

Good Luck! Let me know how it goes!

Answer 2

Well, it's not hard. I know in voice acting, just about any boy is voiced by a girl because girls don't get deeper voices as they mature. Bart Simpson/Nancy Cartwright ain't an exception to the rule. In terms of mannerisms though, be aware that no matter what some people say scientists know that the minds and behaviors of girls and boys are very different!

Boys do tend to be roguter then girls, probably due to upbringing. For example, boys who cling to parents are mama's boys while girls are not so penalized. Studies show that in situations women emphathize better. In one study, both men and women where bilked by another person in a laboratiory setting. The man then pretended to reviece an electrical shock. Women emphathized with his pain, while men tended to feel vindicated.

Boys have better spatial ability. They don't usually communicate as well as girls. They also tend to play rougher. Part of these differences are nature, partially nuture. But studies have shown that even when raised to be neutral, boys tend to prefer toy trucks, for instance.

Exercises include studying how boys walk, talk and play and comparing it to what you know. Use stereotypes, that is stay typical. I do not mean stereotypes in the negative sense, but if you see a chef's hat wouldn't you assume the person was a chef? I mean it in the artistic sense, aniamtors for instance exaggerate characters to make them more easily recognizable to an audience. everyone is just a little different, and may learn towards one side of the spectrum or the other.

Because this is theatre, you might have to charicatureize a little to get the point across. Studies have shown that human brains find charicatures to look more like the subject than an actual photo, it's just the way our brains work.

Even in the very young we can see little hints of what they will become. Obviously, as a small child he would be very immature. Also, the younger the child the more selfish, as a general rule. it takes time to larn societal rules.

Answer 3

You don't say how old Henry is, but my suggestion would be to go to a school playground, and watch kids that age. Or check out the little brothers of some of your friends. The best teachers are real life examples. Once you have the basics down, your director will help you refine the character. Have fun, and break a leg!

Answer 4

it's quite simple: just remember your own infancy and you''l thing and act like your little friend. It's easy! Try it Regards