Archived Questions.

Question #1.

Question:

Playing a role which half the time, you're talking to the audience is a lot different than the other.  What are some good techniques to prepare for that?

Thanks!

Answer:

Chuck,

One technique you can use for this is to include the audience in your imaginary circumstances and give them an identity.  For instance, if you are confiding to the audience about what is going on in the family, make them some friends or relatives and relate to them in that way.  Or pick a particular person in the audience to be your confidante if that is appropriate to the play.  If you shape the audience to have the perfect relationship to you to serve your communication, it will be easy to talk to them without breaking your frame of reference.

Question #2.

Question:

I have just started a meisner class and am having trouble coming up with activities that are very meaningful. Do you have any advice on this?

Thanks.

Answer:

There are several ways you can approach the activities to find more interesting and meaningful activities.

The most important thing is to think of the activities as part of life, not as an acting exercise.  The second is to get in touch with your impulses for the activity - in other words, what attracts or compels you about an activity?  What is interesting to *you?*  Most people try to find the "right" activity, instead of finding one which they really want to do and which holds their attention.  The third is to find a really compelling imaginary reason for doing the activity, that makes it both more personal and urgent.  If you are ironing a favorite shirt to get ready for an exciting date, that is more compelling than ironing the shirt because you discovered it was wrinkled.  A reason that inspires you to do something fully is a major key to acting.

Pay attention to what you and others do, start observing activities "in the world."  You will see the kinds of things that people actually do and what is interesting about them.  Any activity can be meaningful if it is done for a truthful reason, and if it is something that comes from you and your life, not something that you brought in to satisfy a program or a teacher.

Hope that is helpful.

Best,

Robert Epstein