Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/25/2008

Question
Hello Mr. Sheppard. I am a sixteen year old girl who lives in Kansas City, Kansas. My main question is what are methods/strategies/etc. that I can use everyday to improve my acting. I have been practicing monologues and honestly not much else other than learning about the industry and so forth. I approach a monologue by first giving it a cold read then I proceed to practice it. Sometimes I even tape myself to hear how I sound and see how I look. So, do I even "attack" a monologue in the way it should be done? I am enrolling in an acting class this year for the first semester. It will be my second acting class that I have taken in school. After this semester I have seen a credible acting class nearby on Craiglist that I would I like to look into. But my current short-term goal that I would love to achieve this year is to perform in my school play. I have only perform once in a school play back in middle school with few actually only one line. I am now currently a junior. I wanted to wait for the spring play and skip fall all together, but even if I get a small part in the fall play it would be great opportunity to get more experience, no? Also, one last bit, I'm really drawn to dramatic roles. Not to be vain but I am often told I am funny but I really don't see much interest in comedic roles. So if you have any tips that help portray very realistic dramatic performances they would be extremely appreciated! Sorry about the long introduction but I just wanted you to see all of where I am now and where I would like to go at this time. Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

                      Sincerely,
                         Mariah  

Answer
Hi Mariah,

Why skip the fall? Other interests?

I wouldn't limit myself to any kind of role. Often there is comedy in drama and drama in comedy -just like life. In the old Yiddish theater, there was a saying: "If you can't laugh and cry in the same evening, then the play wasn't that good." Yes, any chance to perform is credit and experience. So are auditions. I go to them even when I am not terribly interested in the part, just to practice my craft.

I watch movies with the sound off to zoom in on the physical part...it's a great exercise. As to monologs, try to learn them in various ways -even contrary to the way it looks. You need to be able to do that if a director asks. If you only know it one way, you will find that you can't perform it because your brain "locks it in" that way...and you suddenly can't find the words. I saw this happen to half a dozen actors at a workshop once!

Best,

Taylor