Texts for learning about Drama/Acting...?

Question

I'm wanting to go to college to study Drama, well, actually they call it "Speech Communications Concentration" but it's basically Drama... LOL...
Anyway, I won't be going this fall, but next, so I was wondering if there were any sites with stuff reguarding Drama/Acting... Like "voice projection", "how to write plays", "becoming your character", that sort of thing so that I can be better prepared for college...

Advice and links appreciated!

Answer 1

If you want to learn about drama and acting, do not go to a school that offers such topics under a Speech Communications umbrella. One needs to know why you are going to college to study these subjects. What is it you want to do with your life? Be careful, most schools and textbooks are worthless if you want to be an actor. Write and let me know your goals and I will try to help you. I mentor young drama students and aspiring actors.
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Answer 2

I don't have links for you, but I have advice. Right... let's start at the beginning:

Auditioning: They'll probably teach you all about this, but I have some special tips that I've deduced after years in theatre: 1) You will most often have to pick two monologues to do for an audition. You should pick contrasting monologues to show off your versitility, meaning one serious, one comic. 2) When you are called on stage to audition, restate your name. Like this "My name is Lucy and I will be doing a piece from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. 3) Resumes are easy to write, it's like a job resume, but fill in all prior theatre/performance experience. Dance classes, music lessons, any theatre classes/performances.

Right.

Getting into your character: is not a problem. First, read over all your lines and decide how your character is feeling in a certain scene. Recall a time that you felt this particular way, let the memory fill you up, and have it come out through your voice and body language. Remember that acting isn't about faking, it's about portraying.

Voice projection: is like singing. Do it from your diaphram. Also, when you are speaking, (this is kind of tough) don't act like your broadcasting your lines- this can make you sound fake and rehearsed. See above paragraph.

Other tips: 1) When you are acting, particularly on stage, "cheat out"- this means "always let the audience see you/never turn your back to the audience". Don't make a show of it, let it seem natural. 2) When you are in dialogue with another character, don't be afraid to take pauses before speaking or moving. This creates authenticity in the scene as well as your portrayal. 3) Never look at the audience unless you have a specific line towards them (an "aside"). 4) Play to your strengths 4) Don't think about how funny your character is being/ how sad your character is/how angry your character is- it makes the portrayal seem less authentic. Think about the other character you are in dialogue with, and what they are saying. Focus on the scene. 5) If on stage doing a monologue, do not look into the audience, speak as if you would to the back of the theatre, it helps nerves.

There you go! I hope all of this helped you!!

Answer 3

There is the Drama Bookstore in NYC. You can order online from them:

http://www.dramabookstore.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi

You will learn all of that when you study drama/speech communications, in college.

Enjoy your summer.