Why would analyzing a script be important to an actor? What would they have to know about the play to do well?

Question

No sarcasm, please. I die inside every time someone answers sarcastically...

Answer 1

The period, the setting, the plot, the characters, the lines, the blocking. Why does theatre productions go through the process of rehearsals? To become familiar with the script.

Call it analysing, memorising, researching, what-ever. There are so many different things an actor has to know in order to play a part well. One important aspect for me both as a director and actor is how the lines make me feel when I read them, when I say them. I also learn how many different ways I could play the lines or words and which ways are definitely not going to work.

Another thing is words or phrases that I may be unfamiliar with. Heck, I want to be able to say them right otherwise the meaning is lost, so I read the script to find those bits I do not understand then I research them.

Reading into the script can also tell you a lot about the author and what they wanted to convey. What blocking do they offer if any? Or do they leave a lot of the interpretation up to the actor? What sub-plots underlie the overall message/plot/them of the play? What are the possible relationships between the characters?

I am about to direct a period piece and even for me as the director, knowing;
where we are setting the play
the dialogue of the piece (ie period language)
possible character traits or idiosyncrasy's
and so forth are just as important as learning the lines. These come firstly from the script.

Answer 2

Hallelujah! An acting question that is actually about acting!

(My sarcasm is most assuredly not directed at you, my dear).

Analyzing a script, like analyzing a character, does not mean a full deconstruction a la Freudian Psychoanalysis, it merely means that you take the time to fully understand the setting of the play and your place in it.

Any time your character speaks, it is for the first time and for a reason. Why? Why those words and not others? What does your character intend those words to do? What reaction does your character expect to get from those words? Why even bother to speak those words?

Please do not say "it's in the script". Lazy,lazy,lazy. Real acting is tough work. If you want me to believe you when you talk to me, you had better tell me the truth. If you do not analyze the words you have been given to speak, how can you know you are telling me the truth?

I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for asking an Acting question in the Acting forum.

Answer 3

Well you need to know what the story you're doing is about and the characters in it...
That might be why.

Most actors analyze their characters the most so they can portray them in a realistic way (basically if in real life you're a valley girl and you're playing a serious role like... Anne Frank, you have to learn how the character is, how they act, how they talk, even how they move).
When they analyze the script, it's just analyzing the story more than anything. So that they know what they're doing on the hole.

Answer 4

Actors need all the information they can garner from the script about their characters. They also need to be able to know how to inflect the right speaking into the phrasing of their lines by reading the script through. Is it a comedy, a drama, etc? Plot, intensity of dialogue, areas they may have problems with down the road and want to address, what demands on the actor are there beyond reading lines...? There are many factors to consider by reading a script. You can't just commit to be in a play and "phone in" the lines.

Answer 5

Just one perception. An actor is foremost an interpreter for the playwright, who has created a world, a universe, and all elements of its production are in service to creating that world in public, before an audience. Acting is a craft, and there are many tools, ways of working, including 'analyzing' the script. You should expose yourself to as many different ways of working as you can, and eventually you begin to discover what works best for you. There is no end to studying, and developing your craft. It is infinitely varied and faceted and the more tools you have at your disposal, the more you are valued as the actor. Analysis, however it's done, is taking apart the character as written, and putting it back together again for performance. You have to learn how the play (and your character) works in order to ultimately forget it all and to then live the play in performance. Analyzing is simply one the building blocks used to achieve your goal.

Answer 6

The key to put in writing a play is that you just first of all all must describe your entire caracter and your environment(s) which might be one or 2 scenes similar to a dwelling room or something. Then its simply to put in writing the discussion among your caracters and all well performs are discussion pushed. This is completed level for level and also you begin with a head for each and every scene describing scene quantity and who's on level and if whatever has converted considering the following level. Example Scene 14 act I. LIVING ROOM INT. Jane is sitting within the couch while John got here in and sees that the crismas 3 is long gone. JOHN (Surprised): Where is our chrismas 3? Jane: I requested Ben to throw it away considering the chrismas is over considering a month. John (Upset): No! You cant do this! I wish my chrismas 3!! And so on... Johan

Answer 7

I don't know about analyzing the whole script, but I definitely think you need to read and understand the whole thing. Know the story well and know your place in it. I think it's most important to analyze your own character. Who she is and what is her place in the story. How she further's the story along. What's her purpose, etc. You need to understand her all you can so that you can become her while you're waiting for the show to begin, or on your drive to the theatre or whenever you choose to get into character.

Just my two cents :-)

Answer 8

Don't worry!Analyzing a script is the best way to get a take on the character you're playing,the realtionship to the the characters&why she/he behaves&says the things they do.It's important to know this,it will deepen & enliven your performance.After all,no one wants to sit in a darkened theater&watch one-dimesional characters for ttwo hours.Study all you can!:-)

Answer 9

Well, maybe they know their limitations and want to make sure they can do justice to the part. But more than likely, I'd say that they wouldn't want to do something that they were morally against.