Losing Interest in My Charecter! Yuck.
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Acting
Forum Discription: Q&A about auditions, character development and other aspects of the craft
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4348
Printed Date: 5/19/24 at 12:53pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Losing Interest in My Charecter! Yuck.
Posted By: marybridget12
Subject: Losing Interest in My Charecter! Yuck.
Date Posted: 11/27/09 at 5:49pm
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I have an awesome role in an awesome show. I am only in a few scenes, but it is a really phenomenal character.
But here is the issue. I have stopped feeling my lines. I can't really mean them anymore. This is our tech week and we open next week. 
I don't know why this is happening. I have really good material to work with, and my character is well established. My director has noticed something wrong, but he wont tell me what to do! Please help, seasoned actors! ------------- ~Proud Character Actor~ |
Replies:
Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 11/28/09 at 1:24pm
| The only advice I can offer is to start listening to the characters on stage with you. It sounds like you've got your lines down and they're beginning to lose their meaning to you. Listen to what is being said to you, and stay in the moment. React. Even if your character's reaction is to ignore what others are doing or saying, you'll be actively "in" the scene. You've got to listen. It's the only way to remain fresh. |
Posted By: bethanypithan
Date Posted: 11/29/09 at 2:59pm
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Opening Night! I think the audience will rejuvenate you again. edh915 is exactly right also. Stop trying so hard, just listen and react.
But I really think having an audience will help get you energized and focused again. Attention, Interest, Decision, Action HAVE FUN!!! 
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Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 11/29/09 at 9:26pm
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It IS amazing what a live audience does to (for) people who love acting! The advice offered above is sound and well worth heeding.
HOWEVER, I played John, the witch boy many years ago in the play DARK OF THE MOON. We had a VERY LONG rehearsal schedule, and I found myself in that same unenthusiastic predicament. Everything seemed stale and disengenuous. There was a scene I had with a trio of witches and we all got in that same rut, so we agreed to 'stir it up' a bit. Before every performance we would decide which ONE of us would change a line or two slightly, always making sure the content of the line was the same and the cue line was unchanged. We all knew the lines so well it was easy to 'improvise' and nobody ever got 'blindsided.' It also made us 'think on our feet' and react to each other fresh anew. Now, I would NEVER suggest you or anybody do the same (hey, we were young and looking for a boost), and I'm sure we gave the director royal fits, but that scene was always fun and something I looked forward to. By the way, I was awarded 'best male actor in a leading role' for that part, so it wasn't just my imagination that what we did worked. And yes, that could very well have been the exception that proves the rule. ------------- Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. |
Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 12/02/09 at 12:15pm
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Amen on the listening.
Another way to put it is to be engaged with the other characters and hear what they are saying for the first time. If you're doing it for the first time you won't loose interest. ------------- KEB |