Do you have any tips on how to be a good actor/actress?

Question

This is for all of the experianced actors and actresses. I`m in a play, and need some advice. You just type down all of the good acting tips you have, and the best way to get the "Best Answer" prize is to answer the bonus question: how do you act well with congestion?

Answer 1

You have to love it--you have to know that it is the only thing that you can do to make your life fulfilled. If there is anything else that you can do, do it, because the theatre is a cruel mistress. Get some skills--singing, dancing, perhaps a good grasp on history, these things will help you have a wider range so that you can audition for a wider range of parts. Learn automobile repair so you always get to auditions and rehearsals. When you start to learn about acting techniques (Method, or Miesner, or Susuki, or Grotowski etc), know that all techniques are learned to be forgotten.
On stage, never TRY to make a punchline work--LET it work.

AS for congestion, the best thing is warm lemon water-- cough drops have sugars in them which tends to make the congestion worse, coffee and tea has caffeine, which tends to dry out the vocal cords. The acidity of the lemon water tends to cut through goo, without drying out the cords--and it gives you a little Vitamin C.

Answer 2

Get rid of your nerves. That's what slows you down the most. For the next few weeks/days/however long until your play, keep taking over the counter congestion treatment. Honestly, if it's like my nose that is congested, I eat a Halls cough drop. It's like the BEST thing that gets rid of it. Lol. Anyway, practice different facial expressions in the mirror. Yea, your mom will look at you weird, but that's where you turn around and say, "I bet you can't rock as hard as I do." Lol. But yea tips::
1)HALLS COUGH DROP lol
2)GET RID OF YOUR NERVES, tell yourself you can do it. Of course you can, otherwise you wouldn't be in this play. Just remember it's YOUR play and YOU can rock it the way YOU want to.. it still may be a good idea to follow MOST of the script though. lol
3) PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, look in a mirror, see what you need to improve and you'll improve by sooo much
4) HAVE FUN WITH IT! :]] you'll enjoy it sooo much more :]]

hope i helped! :]

edited: okay fine forget the cough drops lol.. it worked for me! :]] lol

Answer 3

Just become the character.As for the congestion, maybe try taking ziacam or mucinex or something.Cut down on dairy.Halls cough drops are HORRIBLE for your vocal chords and so is that chloraseptic spray or whatever that red stuff is called.I havew that problem sometimes too, usually I just drink alot of tea at night with those little ziacam spoons.That makes me feel a whole lot better.

Answer 4

Don't act..fall into the part