Other than acting what other skills are necessary to be an actor?

Question

In Shakespeare's time

Answer 1

the art of kissing ***.

Answer 2

Why specifically in shakespeare's time. perhaps I misunderstood the question but I will answer as I understand it. You had to be male first and foremost. women were not allowed to act. this changed afetr 1660 when Charles II was restored to the throne and women were allowed on the stage. Realistic acting had not been invented yet, so you had to have a good voice, able to project and of cousre you had to be able to read. if you were an actor you could not be part of the bourgeoise. Actors were not considered proper enough, or writers for that matter. They were still revered but there was a huge stigma attached to Acting. there still is. how many times have you heard people say "Yes but acting is not a real job, anyone can do that." You had to be able to make large gestures and know what gestures accompanied which emotions. You had to have a very good memory. sometimes a company would be called on do do a show and they had only one day to learn their lines. and if you wre performing for the queen (Queen Elizabeth in this case) you ceratinly did not want to apologise in the middle of a scene because you forgot your lines. Those are the basic requrements. much tougher requirements today.

Answer 3

Although it would not have been called as such in Shakespearean times a good Psychological insight in to the other Characters so you can assess the action reaction action on them and your own
It may have been handy not to have been to Masculine with all those frock parts
Also running a very close gamut between political Exposure of bad things an society and still keeping within the Chamberlains stringent rules would have taken a craftsman of Psychology English which I Hope you agree Shakespeare or whoever wrote his plays was

Oh and one more Thing Turning up on time for cues , blowing ones nose before going on stage , projecting the voice and making sure ones '' Doublet'' was done up !!

Answer 4

I think you need a lot of self-control, an ego fueled by rejection, a very tough skin, and an attention span slightly greater than a gnat's. It's a brutal business, not one for the weak or timid. Good example - Mary Tyler Moore. For as long as she's been in the business, the roles she has chosen have influenced the public's perception of her. The public's perception is that she's a caring, sensitive, and fragile woman. Reality check. Cold as ice, tougher than nails.

Today we have "personalities" appearing in movies and on the telly. We've very few authentic actors anymore.

Authentic actors check their egos at the door, throw caution to the wind, delve into their characters, and create credibility that can be appreciated and loved by cast, crew and audiences everywhere.

Who can forget Elizabeth Taylor's Virginia Wolf or her character Maggie, from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? Who can forget Laurence Olivier?

Now THAT's an example of acting.

Answer 5

You must be a little whacky, to be an actor. You must want to feeeeeel the love and liiiiive for the applause, and be so desperate for love and attention that you would make a fool of yourself to get it. And no matter how much love and attention and praise and money you got, it would never be enough, for fame is fleeting, my friend, and you'd end up more neurotic than you were before. In Shakespear's time or anytime.

LR

Answer 6

Marketing and self promotion. To be a working actor, you will be constantly looking for work.

You must be comfortable networking and selling yourself, and must be pleasant to work with, so people will cast you again.

Answer 7

Empathy and sensitivity plus keen observational skills.

Answer 8

Facial expressions

Answer 9

A man. Parts were played by men even the women's parts.

Answer 10

Confidence, passion, projection, i think you should be empatheic because when you are a charactor in order to act naturally you have to feel what they are feeling.

Answer 11

The ability to see in yourself what others see. You must also have the ability to absorb a character and walk in his or her shoes. Break a leg.