AboutJohn T. Aney Expertise I hold a Masters` Degree in Theatre History and Dramatic Literature - I can help with any question on non-Musical theatre, including acting technique, dramatic literature, theatre history, etc.
Please note - I do not answer questions regarding song choices for musical theatre auditions.
Experience Experience: 25 years as actor and student of the theatre Masters` Degree in Theatre History and Dramatic Literature Certificate in Acting and Directing from Moscow Art Theatre Stanislavsky Summer School
Education: MA - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature, Indiana University BA - Lewis and Clark College
Clients: Wooden O Shakespeare Company (Actor and Dramaturg), Menlo Players Guild (Actor and Dramaturg), Bus Barn Stage Co, Dragon Productions, City Lights Theatre
Question Hi my name is Elizabeth, I am 16 years old and I have been in theatre productions since I was 10. This year my school is doing "The Crucible" and I play the role of Mary Warren. Now I do not know if it is because I cannot relate to the character or if I'm just having trouble conveying emotions, but everytime I read my script at home I have so much emotion and feeling, but then during rehearsals something happens and I lose all the emotion. The emotion feels and sounds very fake. Do you have any advice on how to change that?
Thank you
Answer Elizabeth,
It sounds to me like you are trying too hard. Don't worry too much about the fact that it feels different at home than it does during rehearsal. For one thing, when you are at home by yourself, you are the only judge of your performance, and its very difficult to be impartial about your work while you are doing it. Also, when you are in rehearsal, you have a lot of other things that affect your work - other people, the stage itself, etc. But those things are present in performance as well, and you have to learn how to work in that environment.
Check with your director. Get guidance from your director as to how your work is coming across. Rest assured that all work is good work, and the work you do at home helps to fill out the work you do in rehearsal. Don't worry about how you "sound" or about emotion or feeling. Speak the words, communicate what the words make you feel, and be there for your fellow actors. Let everything else just happen.
