Discover our 5 tips to make you stand out from the crowd!
Introduction :
Theater, the true art of the stage, has been captivating audiences for centuries. Even in ancient times, it was a popular form of entertainment. Today, with its spellbinding dialogue, grandiose sets and intense emotions, a successful play is the fruit of the hard work of a talented team. At the heart of this harmony is the stage actor, a true actor-craftsman who breathes life and soul into every character he plays. In the darkness of the auditorium, the spotlights come back on, revealing an imaginary world unfolding before our astonished eyes. Behind this magic, however, lies a complex and demanding process, in which the actor's role is paramount. But what are the traits that distinguish a good stage actor from others? In this article, we take a look behind the scenes of this fascinating art form to discover the qualities that make an actor an exceptional performer. From raw talent to mastery of body and voice, every aspect will be explored to understand the secrets of this noble profession.
Passion:
Getting into acting, just like any other artistic profession, requires hard work and talent. To succeed in this field, it's essential to be driven by an all-consuming passion, which will enable you both to persevere in the face of obstacles and to create a deep connection with your audience. If talent is a subjective notion, passion is what will make your work truly magical. The world of theater is highly competitive, and it's crucial to stand out and persevere. If you don't live your passion to the full, you risk becoming easily discouraged or losing confidence in yourself. Working as an actor means accepting intermittent employment, dealing with periods of unemployment and sometimes working for free, especially at the start of your career. So it's vital to maintain constant motivation, whatever stage you're at in your career, even when you're tired. In fact, the key to finding work as an actor lies in not overlooking any opportunity and taking part in numerous castings, forging links that could work in your favor.
Open up to emotions:
Whether you want to make people laugh or cry, acting is all about conveying emotion. As an artist, your talent is largely based on your sensitivity. This is especially true in comedy, where you need to be able to capture and interpret a character's emotions, regardless of your own. It's essential to be able to make the character's emotions your own, whether or not they resemble you. To achieve this, you can observe the people around you, study them, and then ask yourself the following questions:
What does this person think about this or that?
How would this person react to this or that?
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Although you have to accept a scenario as it is, and understand it, as well as interpreting a character imposed on you, it's up to you to bring that character to life. Feel free to add your own personal touch, as long as it's consistent with the rest of the piece, and explore those sensations deep inside yourself.
Versatility
This is where your talents as an actor come to the fore, but you also need to learn how to cope with the stress of different elements:
Costume changes, the emotional interpretation of several characters, the variety of texts to learn and perform...
What's more, backstage, your role may also be to help your colleagues, whether actors or not. So you need to be able to get your hands dirty in a number of areas without losing focus. In addition to your acting skills, it's always a good idea to have other artistic or sporting talents. Indeed, you may find it easier to land a role if you can also sing, dance, play a musical instrument or practice one of the many disciplines of the circus arts, for example - don't hesitate to take circus classes from an early age!
Last but not least, many brilliant actors also have other theatre-related jobs, such as director, scriptwriter, producer...
The more versatile you are, the easier it will be for you to find work in this field. Fluency in English is also a real plus in an acting career, and to help you along, there are English and theater stays that combine business with pleasure. In short, as an actor, you need to be able to adapt. Finally, learning to make films or direct plays can also sharpen your eye for acting and give you decisive keys to improvement.
Memory, like a muscle:
Whether for film, television or theater, having an excellent memory is imperative for acting. Indeed, a large part of your work will consist of learning and rehearsing texts, and this is all the more crucial if you're a stage actor. Plays can last for several hours, and live performance doesn't tolerate memory lapses. While it's possible to glance at your script between scenes, it's vital to memorize your lines. If you've landed an important role, you may spend little time backstage and be responsible for interpreting long monologues, for example. Memory is a skill that needs to be worked on! So you need to be rigorous and work hard. You may have the opportunity to play several characters at the same time, and you'll need to memorize everything without getting confused! And what if your colleagues forget their lines? You can make up for it by helping them find their words, which could win you praise. Finally, if your memory is playing tricks on you - which can happen even to the best actors - give free rein to your imagination and creativity to improvise. If you're talented, you just might surprise everyone!
The team
Acting in a play isn't exactly like shooting a commercial, series or film. It's live! You're part of a troupe that rehearses and performs together for long periods. Within the same theater company, you'll work with the same actors on different projects, and you'll all go on tour. What's more, the company also includes make-up artists, costume designers, directors, set designers, stage managers and lighting technicians. You're all part of a big family, and must work hand in hand. Successful teamwork means a successful play. If there's tension between company members, it's likely to be felt by the audience. Finally, teamwork also means helping each other out when problems arise, and as an actor, this means being able to improvise and collaborate with other actors.
Theater at Apolline?
At Apolline, we offer acting classes at all levels and we listen to the needs of your children! Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs.
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