Preparing for a Role in Upcoming Play Advice?

Question

Gotta play Jonathan Harker in upcoming production of Stoker's Dracula.... I need some words of advice, like what I should be thinkin about and whatnot.

OH YEAH...I'm also a GIRL, playing this role, and havna played the opposite gender before...

Answer 1

Harker is the Good Guy (or in your case, Gal)

Think Moral, Upright, and the guy who is Scientific. You are the guy (girl, in your case) who refuses to believe the old Legends. Science, not superstition.

Be analytical, sure of youself, and Scientific.

Think about your character. Harker is rather strait-laced, but is the kind of chap that can be relied upon. Stiff upper lip and all that. Harker is a prototypical Hero.


Stand tall, get your shoulders square, and do every action deliberately, as if that action is what Harker meant to do,

Answer 2

This young man has given you some excellent advice. If you want to be very serious about it, read AN ACTOR PREPARES by Stanislavsky (or any of the others), ACTING WITH STELLA ADLER, or THE ACTOR AND THE TEXT by Cicely Berry. These are all excellent texts on the craft of acting. In the meantime, the power of observation is the actor's ultimate tool. Study guys. They walk differently. They hold themselves differently. Don't get too hung up on that aspect of it, however. Your job is to create a believable, truthful character. The gentleman above has described Mr Harker very well.

Answer 3

If my memory serves me, you do not have to play the role as a man. Isn't Harker the madman who eats spiders? I don't see why it couldn't be a madwoman who eats spiders. It wouln't take much change in the lines. I think your director ought to consider it. Tell you the best way to prepare for the role is to see the Bela Lugosi film of Dracula, it is the best one ever made. I am sure they have it at your local movie rental.