In these steps you will learn a few ways to prepare you for the stage. With this information you will be ready for anything with singing, dancing, and dialogue.
1Learn your lines. Practice makes perfect, so think of learning your lines as studying for a test that if you fail everyone knows and you can not take it again. Use a highlighter to make your lines jump off the page. When studying, say the words out loud. Have a friend run your lines with you when you're not in rehearsal.
2Learn your song. Singing memorization is just as important as dialogue. Lyrics can be tricky. Study and go over them as much as possible. Sing in the mirror so you can see what you look like while singing, this helps correct any mistakes you may or may not have made.
- Learn your notes and harmonies as well. Even if you know your lyrics, it won't sound as good unless you get the notes right.
3Practice any dancing. You must have the patience and time' to work at it everyday. Take your time and learn the steps the right way first so you do not have to go back and slow everyone else down.
4Decide how you want to affect the person you are talking to (or singing to) with your lines. Do you want to charm them, offend them, destroy them, etc.? This is called an objective and may change as you go through the rehearsal process and discover new things about the piece.
5Always make a strong choice about your character. In other words, I "kind of" love the other person is a weak choice. I'm crazy about the other person is a strong choice. Ambiguity does not work on stage. Remember to exaggerate all character choices so that the story and your character come across clearly.
6Next is blocking. This means learning where you are and where you have to go during a scene. In any play you've got to know what's going on around you so you can hear your cue to give a line or move in the scene.
7Drink a lot of fluids and (most importantly) have fun! Acting is work, but you can let loose, and have fun.
8On the night of the performance everyone is always nervous - it's a sign of sanity! Besides, being too relaxed can hurt your performance.
9It is best to get into character at least 10 minutes before the first scene, even if you aren't in it.
What should I do before opening night?wikiHow ContributorGet everything ready and prepare yourself for an amazing night. Go to bed early and sleep well if possible and just try to stay calm.
What do I do if I forget my lines on stage?wikiHow ContributorIf you know roughly what the line is, find a way to weave in the basic idea. Otherwise, if you know that one of your fellow cast members has a line to say soon after the one you forgot, find a way to prompt them to say that to get past it. Standing there silent for any longer than a few seconds will tip the audience off that something was missed, so you want to resurrect the situation one way or another quickly so the audience does not realize anything was off. Learn your cues - it's all well and good knowing your lines, but if you don't know where to say them, there's no point.
What is a good thing to help with a sore throat before I get on stage?wikiHow ContributorGargling mouthwash might help, and it may help to take cough medicine too. Lozenges made for sore throats can be used but some can only be taken at two to four hourly intervals; read the instructions first.
How do I get everyone to slow down during the performance when they are nervous?wikiHow ContributorWhen you say your own lines, say them slowly, so that they get the hint to slow down too. Make the most of dramatic pauses too, to slow things down. You could also give your fellow actos a pep-talk right before you go on stage.
How do I get super excited for my very hyperactive role?wikiHow ContributorYou could think about something to look forward to, such as Christmas, your birthday, or even what you're doing after the performance. Maybe you have a crush to think about?
What should I do if I think I'm going to forget my lines before I go on stage?wikiHow ContributorIt often helps professional actors to have a page of only their lines and queue lines, to help them get it right before or during the show.
What should I do before performing on stage?wikiHow ContributorMake sure you have your lines memorized, practice a couple times backstage or bring a script to read.
What if I'm so nervous I can't fall asleep?wikiHow ContributorTry realizing you have the awesome privilege to actually be onstage and others aren't even close to doing that. If you mess up, oh, well, you just created a funny memory to keep for when you are older.
When I'm singing, I often lose my breath from nerves, is there any way to stop this?wikiHow ContributorIt happens to me too and I often notice that my legs are stiff and tense. It's best to try to get in a relaxed position, whether it's sitting or even letting your body hang loose. Next, remember to breathe from your diaphragm and in through your nose, out through your mouth. Finally, know where your notes are being held in your body, such as your head voice, chest voice, and the overall body voice. Try not to focus on the audience when you're performing, just pick a spot at the back of the room and stare at it.
What do I do if I have a costume malfunction, such as a tear, rip or stain?wikiHow ContributorDon't panic and try to find a remedy backstage, like a safety pin. Most malfunctions will not be visible to the audience.
- Speak loud and clear so that the people in the last row of the theatre can hear you.
- If your stage partner messes up, do not react. This will make yourself and your stage partner panicked - so just continue the show.
- If you mess up, just keep going or say something similar to it. After all, the audience doesn't know what your lines are supposed to be and if you do mess up and they hear you clearly, just laugh it off and say the correct one! Improve.
- If you mess up a line or a move keep going. When you stop or freeze up is when the audience notices something is not right.
- Own your character.
- Keep a positive attitude.
- Listen to the song you have choreographed so you know which steps match which lyrics or musical cues.
- Have lots and lots of energy, you don't want to lose your audience.
- "There are no small parts, only small actors", so don't be down if you "Get a small part".
- If your heart is not in it, you shouldn't be either.
- Turn a small maybe boring line into your creation and make it yours.
- Practice and memorize your cues, lines, and songs. That way, when you get up to the stage, it will seem like second nature to you.
- For choreography, it helps to know the meaning of the song (especially if it is in a different language) so you can express the emotion of the music.
- The only way to look like a fool is worrying about it.
- "Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art".
- Own your lines.
- Try to have a character close to your personality. May be this can't be helped but ask the director for a similar role to yourself.
- If you're going to Ad-lib, be sure to do it during rehearsal and get the director's approval. You don't want to do it on show night without approval first.
- Breathe! It is a good way to get rid of nerves. Try counting to ten and breathing slow, deep breathes to calm down and focus on the task at hand.
- Don't let yourself be directed by other actors. That's the director's job.
- Never underestimate others and do not be over-confident.
- If you drink a lot of fluids, be sure you have access to a restroom before you go onstage (this is especially important if you are very nervous). We don't want any "accidents" onstage...
- Don't think negatively.
Categories: Before Show Preparation
In other languages:
Español: prepararte para una actuación en escena, Русский: подготовиться к выступлению на сцене, Italiano: Prepararsi per una Performance Teatrale, Português: Se Preparar para uma Apresentação no Palco
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