More Actors` Exchange Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Actors` Exchange
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Arlene Schulman
Expertise
As a professional director, dramaturg, acting coach and actor for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I can help with questions on acting technique, character development, audition and rehearsal techniques, dealing with directors and stage managers, what directors are looking for, and other aspects of the acting and directing professions.
Experience
A professional director, dramaturg, acting coach and actor for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I have directed in professional, university and amateur theatre and have directed and acted in dramas, comedies, musicals, Shakespeare as well as collaborating closely with playwrights in the development of original plays and musicals.
Organizations
SSDC associate member
Advisory Board - Isle of Shoals Productions
Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America associate member
Shakespeare Association of America
The Shakespesare Institute -
MA "Shakespeare & Theatre" candidate, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Movies > Actors' Exchange > Actors` Exchange > Character type
Expert: Arlene Schulman
Date: 10/1/2007
Subject: Character type
Question
I am so tired of people saying I can't play the girlfriend type. I'm 17, people have told me I look around 17-22. In plays they give me a Motherly role because "I seem independent" so I've been told. I'm getting into shape, I look pretty usually, and I'm dressing trending this year so I can look more my age. How can I change others' perceptions of me? Right now I just do High School plays, After my Senior year I'm moving to try my luck in the business while attending a college.However, I don't want this Motherliness to follow me anymore! I'm too young to be a grandma!
Answer
Hi Allie,
Since I don't know you personally, there is no way I can judge how you present yourself or the particular look you present on stage. And there is no way I can guess what you might do to change that image.
However, I do want to say that being 17 and looking 17-22 is a great way to look. It means that you are appropriate for all the leading roles. In fact, if you actually look 17-22, then you decidedly do not "look" motherly or grandmotherly. You look your age. Believe me, no one looks just one age - everyone can play a "range" - I can currently play anywhere between 50-70 (I'm 59), depending on how I'm dressed and made up and the kind of body language I use. Seeming independent is not a bad way to be, either. There are many strong woman leads that are far from elderly.
While there is such a thing as "types" in theatre and film, they are much less important in theatre, where the audience is at a distance and costumes, make-up and body language can make a huge difference. And while there might be a "girlfriend" type, not every girlfriend is the same. There are sexy girlfriends, pretty girlfriends, evil girlfriends, romantic girlfriends, nasty girlfriends, and more. Just what is it that you want to project?
Some people are just naturally character actors. I am. Even when I was younger I always got the character roles - the mothers, best friends, the boss, the crazy one, the talkative maid, Yente, the matchmaker. And I was a pretty girl with a good figure, a good speaking voice, popular and never without a boyfriend. But I just came across as more "interesting" on stage than a leading lady. Character roles aren't always old, and certainly aren't boring. They are the roles that are the most fun to play.
If you want roles that are less matronly, your job is not to change others perceptions of you in your daily life, but rather how you come across onstage. And there is a difference. I know people who are very unmemorable in real life, but when they get on stage they exude a charisma, a presence that you just don't see in their real life. I know others who shine in real life, but who simply don't project that on stage. And it's onstage that is where you want to change if you want to change the way you are cast.
You say you are getting in shape. That's great. You say you are dressing "trending". I'm not sure what that means, but what you wear in your daily life has little to do with how you are cast in a play.
When you are going to audition for a play, read the play. Decide what role you want, and then work on projecting that character when you audition. You don't have to (in fact shouldn't) try to dress in costume, but you can dress to suggest the character - perhaps a skirt rather than pants, a pretty blouse or sweater rather than a sweatshirt or t-shirt. Wear some make-up if it is appropriate - not stage make-up, but just enough to bring out your best points. Fix your hair so that you look nice - not fancy or fussy, but appropriate to the character you are auditioning for in a general way.
Read the play, if you can, and study the character. Who is she, what does she want, how does she feel, how does she approach life? Use those attitudes when you read for the audition. If she is sexy, think of yourself that way. Romantic? Likewise. Don't go overboard or overact. Just let yourself read as if you were the character. Don't worry about yourself or how you look or how others perceive you. Just focus on the character and what is happening in the scene. Know that you've done your homework and you will be wonderful. Much of presence on the stage is simple confidence.
And if you continue to get character roles, don't despair. Understand that those are truly wonderful roles and ones that you will never outgrow. "Girlfriend" types last for a few years and then can't get cast. Character actors can always get roles. And often the best actors are character actors - they are harder roles, with more depth, more difficult to create and portray. And they are so much more fun than boring romantic leads.
Enjoy all your roles, Allie, regardless what "type". There's no such thing as a bad role.
Best,
Arlene (MsDirector)
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
