this is the exact e-mail i got back--- word from word, copy and paste.
Looking at my notes - I think your piece from Our Town was solid - good focus, fairly relaxed movement. Vocally projection was good - some minor diction to work on. My overall impression was that of a technically sound monologue that I didn't feel you were quite connected with emotionally - I would have liked to have seen you increase the stakes a bit more.
That being said, I thought your work was strong, but without being a singer - I really had no real place to put you in our season - the opportunities this year for folks your age are really in the Christmas show and require strong singers.
what is "diction" exactly and does it sound that they would have taken me if i sang and was a good singer?
2007-08-21 15:59:15 · 13 answers · asked by ashley k 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Kudos to you for asking for criticism! I admire your moxie :-)
Everyone has already explained diction, I don't think it necessary to harp on that any more. The director said it was a minor issue anyway. Just don't "throw away" any of your lines. Honestly I don't necessarily think they would have taken you had you been a good singer, but that is definitely an issue. He said you didn't connect with your character emotionally and that's a problem. You need to know why your character is where she is at that moment in your performance and why she's saying what she's saying. How is she feeling and why? What is she discovering or revealing? Then you need to take all that and SHOW it through your acting. In your voice, your face, your actions... everything you do as the character. You need to be her.
My suggestion is to go to acting class and if you already do, find another one and/or ask your teacher about your monologue in conjunction with the comments you received. You also need to get voice lessons. You cannot do theatre these days without being able to sing. Theatres generally choose their season according to what sells and what sells are musicals. One who does not sing is not likely to get a role.
On the bright side of course you were given some very positive feedback so keep at it!
Break a leg!
2007-08-21 19:47:46 · answer #1 · answered by Marianne D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diction is the proper enunciation, pronunciation and volume of the words in the script. Fudging a word or stumbling over a line are typical diction problems. Its a problem faced by many stage actors actually. Practice and rehearsals are the best way to overcome it.
That being said, it sounds like you had all the right moves, with the notable exception of not being a singer. From reading the casting director's notes, it sounds like you would indeed have gotten at least a call-back if you were a singer as well. Basically it was kind of luck of the draw in this case. I can relate, I'm not a singer either.
For future reference, taking singing lessons might not be a bad idea. It will open up so many more parts for you. SO many of the popular stage productions are musicals. Good luck!
2007-08-21 16:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by integritas83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None of them quite have it. Diction is speaking clearly and distictly. Your speech is apparently a little sloppy. Otherwise you had a good monologue except you did not express the emotions very well. Increase the stakes a bit means take a chance and let the emotions come out of you. however there was no place for you in the shows this season because the only show you really were suited for would have been the Christmas show and you were not a singer. It does sound as if they would have taken you if you sang well, however, it could just be tact and PR. Letting you down gently as it were.
2007-08-21 17:04:38 · answer #3 · answered by Theatre Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diction means pronounciation, perhaps you have a noticeable accent or you speak too low or you slur some of your words or have a slight lisp.
First of all you have to know that the fact that he emailed you is a great thing. They don't owe you an explanation and most don't bother or they'd spend their days reviewing actors. You should be happy.
Yes, it sounds like if you sang well that you could be a part of the company. They can not just make a part for you if there is none for your type. Theater troupes have set schedules and usually audition for each play as it comes up unless they have an ensemble cast.
Keep acting and if you have any type of voice at all take singing lessons as most theater tends to be in the musical arena. Try other venues perhaps improv or take a speech class to find out from a professional what is distracting or different about your voice. Do not take anything personally if you are trying to be an actress. Find something else to audition for and go to it right away. Don't ever get stuck on "why they didn't like me". Your catch phrase should be "NEXT".
2007-08-21 16:12:43 · answer #4 · answered by Creole38 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diction is pronunciation of words and word endings.
What the letter is actually saying is you need to work on diction and singing. They make it clear that you are a great actress, but the character is obviously not someone you can relate to. That's okay! It just wasn't a good match.
Try auditioning for a part you understand better. Don't give up! I'm sure you are a fabulous actress, find a part that fits you perfectly. Become the character. Good luck!
2007-08-21 16:18:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will go piece by piece:
"Some minor diction to work on," indicates that you must work on the pronunciation and/or the speech pathology itself.
"Technically sounding monologue that I didn't feel you were quite connected with emotionally," says that you must work out of the heart, it may mean that you were speaking without meaning, moreso a monotonous version of speech. The feedback says that the director would like you to take some risks, and act out more.
And in response to your second question, it is a toss-up. You performed most likely a monologue involving speech alone, with minimal, or no singing. Therefore, it can not be said for certain.
I wish you luck in the future, and hope that you will go into the theater!!! Enjoy, and BEST OF LUCK!!!
2007-08-21 16:12:47 · answer #6 · answered by Tim 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
diction is like articulation. I would deffinatly work on articulation, when you audition for something they want to be able to understand every word you say. Also you can not really say if they would have taken you because a lot of the time they are looking for an exact type, you may not be that type of person they want. You will never know unless you build up your voice and try again! Good Luck!!
2007-08-21 16:11:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since your question was answered by everyone else, I will say something else. Apparently you are a good actor. You will be turned down many times for many reasons most of which you have no control over and are nothing to take personally. In acting and in life, you have to play YOUR game. No one does everything well. Do what you do best as best as you can. If you know you did that you can never be disappointed by any failures you may experience. This isn't the only theater group on planet earth. Find another and do your best. What happens, happens.
2007-08-21 20:31:12 · answer #8 · answered by Big R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diction is how understandable you are. It sounds like they thought you did a pretty good job but needed singers.
2007-08-21 16:10:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diction is being able to pronounce words correctly. The rest of the note is pretty self explanatory. You did o.k., but they need a singer!
2007-08-21 16:10:16 · answer #10 · answered by Tiss 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋