pantomime audition exercises?
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1997
Printed Date: 4/27/24 at 8:22pm
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Topic: pantomime audition exercises?
Posted By: SineQuaNon
Subject: pantomime audition exercises?
Date Posted: 8/28/06 at 10:44pm
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Hello, This will be my first opportunity to Direct a show, the catch is that its an original script never performed before. Its a 10 minute performance with no words, all action. The premise of the script is to create laughter. The actors dont know the audience is there, when they do things to create laughter, they are scared of them, then play with it and keep the laughter going. How can I create an effective audition in small groups and singles? Are their any references out there for auditions with physical patomimes or charade styling? Thanks! --Kevin ------------- Always do your best, it'll come back to you... |
Replies:
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:03am
You'll want to concentrate on movement and facial expression I'd imagine so in groups you could do something as simple as playing simon sez, or pair them up and have them play the mirror game. For singles you can find one or two monologues that will elicit a reaction and have an assistant read them. Tell them to convey their reactions silently. Hope this helps.  Come to think of it charades is actually a really good idea.------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: Shatcher
Date Posted: 8/31/06 at 12:16pm
| I took an improve class in college and one of the things we had to do for our final was make the class laugh with out talking. the only insturction from the teacher was "make em laugh and keep your mouth shut" if could work... |
Posted By: WSCT
Date Posted: 9/01/06 at 6:45pm
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Dear SineQuaNon and fellow Green Room Groundlings, Always keep in mind that Comedy is exicuted in three stages: Set-Up,The Gag (or Riff), and reaction to Gag.The glue that puts these 3 steps together is TIMING. I would create some situations ahead of time on slips of paper and put them in a hat. Have each performer take a slip on their way to the stage and have them perform a short piece demonstrating that situation. Examples could include "Slipping on a Banana Peel" or "Walking a Wild Dog"...Watch how each actor develops their scene through the Three steps I listed above. You will see some "naturals" and some who need work but all in all it is my experience that this can be trained. Good Luck
Philly ------------- Phillip E. Stommel Artistic Director West Sacramento Community Theater |
Posted By: SineQuaNon
Date Posted: 9/08/06 at 5:50pm
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Thanks for all your help. I have put together a random set of acts, all pantomime improv exercises. All of them have a change of emotion and therefore movement. As many of you suggested, it should create a lot of movement, character improvisation and timing to get it right. All of them are projected to portray honest comedy, which is what our script is based on. Thanks for all your comments and I will let you know how it goes and what I learn. ------------- Always do your best, it'll come back to you... |