What is a Melodrama?

Question

We are doing a melodrama western at our schools, and I was wondering what I should do at my auditions. Any tips? Any info about melodramas? Thanks!

Answer 1

The kind of melodrama you are talking about is best called a mellerdrammer because it is a comic spoof of the 19th Century plays of excitement. With it's stereotyped characters, contrived plot, and speeches to the audience, it should be played very broadly with the actors always facing the audience and mugging and acting out every word in an exaggerated fashion. Nothing is more fun. Just keep the corn going.