How do you get and keep yourself in character while acting?

Question

I really mean like the whole imagination thing, in front of people without looking silly or boring the audiance.

Answer 1

Become your character. You don't keep yourself in character when you aren't acting or offstage; it's just second nature to act like yourself. Well, your character is yourself now; they've taken over your body. Study your character and their throught process. Listen and respond to what is happening around you, and it will be easier.

You look more silly sitting there not doing anything. Don't be afraid and think "Oh, I'll look funny" or "What will my friends think" or "Do they like what I'm doing?". People aren't always going to like what you're doing anyways, we've learned that in life. It's no different in theatre. But you have to act your part, even if you feel "silly". Trust me, you look sillier with a blank look on your face when you hear your boyfriend died than if you have a look of fear, anguish, and sadness.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If you bring the reality of the character to life, there should be no problem at all.

It means accepting the circumstances of the character and letting them be their own reality -- not necessarily how you would react in a situation, but how the character would.

Think about your "circle of attention." Who and what is your character paying the most attention to at any moment and what does it make your character think about? If you keep doing that, every moment of your character's life will be filled with something and you will be in the world of the play.

I've found the best thing is to keep deciding whether or not I believe what the other actors are saying is true and does it mean they want to kill my character. That keeps the stakes high in my mind! =)

Of course... it doesn't always work and sometimes you do feel silly and boring. For that, and to keep my attention on the other actors, I will sometimes imagine what they would look like with purple skin and green hair -- it's using imagination in another way and keeps me involved in the scene.

Answer 3

To get yourself in character, you need to really know your character. Know what she is doing, why, and how she's feeling about it. Ask people to do excercises with you: Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and have them ask you questions about your character-- while you answer as if you were that person. Imagine yourself looking at your reflection in a mirror: You're stepping into a different person. Breathe in your character, breathe our yourself. The lights are your audience.

Answer 4

Learn your lines ASAP so you have time to answer "why am I
saying or doing this" and "why are they saying or doing that".
And keep up the good work. This gives you the confidence to relax and multi-task on stage (be the character, moniter audience, act and react, take direction, cues, find marks, enjoy the experience, etc...) while maintaining a role on the
surface. Good luck

Answer 5

if it works fall or pretend to hurt your self. My friend during a play by accident dropped five hard cover books on this guy and they laughed so hard. I was trying to pretend to kiss this guy and i leaned to far off the bench and fell off.LOL it really isn't that hard just do what you do in front of your friends.

Answer 6

Babygirl, it known as getting into character. It's why good actors make big money.

Answer 7

Use what you learned in acting class.

Answer 8

know your character very well. then it should actually come naturally once you start.