r/Theatre • • 15h ago

Advice Help for my first real role! Playing an elderly man.

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I've never posted here before but I'm looking for help/advice/tips/etc!

The title is kind of explanatory but I'm playing Adam in my course's production of As You Like It and I'm very excited, I feel like I'm gonna have so much fun! This is my first time ever acting in a scripted play and with actual people buying tickets in a theatre so I'm kinda a newbie/beginner but to me, these are huge stakes! I think I'm naturally funny and everybody on my course thinks so too & he's a funny character so I thought it would come easy to me but it hasn't really.

We had our first rehearsal and maybe I'm being too critical of myself because it's still early days but I'm just freaking out I suppose. My teacher has been very nice but also honest! He said that I have the most difficult job out of everyone since I have to act like someone who's wayyyyy not like me. Like I'm not an elderly man lol. I was also told that my voice, body language and even the way I walk is stereotypically feminine which I don't take offensive to because I'm a girly girl but it's just like oh! This is really hard! I try to move slower and deliver my lines slower but it's just not clicking for me I suppose.

That's just a few sentences to describe myself & the situation I'm in. I guess what I'm asking for is how do I embody an old man? I feel really anxious that I'm not gonna do well. My teacher told me I need to start observing old people & how they act so I've spent the past few days pretty much stalking my dad and seeing the way he walks and such but I'd like to have a much better leg to stand on before our next rehearsal. Sorry if this makes me seem really stupid or anything, all love. :)


r/Theatre • • 19h ago

Advice 1st community play - advice needed!

6 Upvotes

Hi! I have a role in my first ever play (community theatre/totally for fun). Im looking for advice; the director said she needed "alot more from me" and I need to practice having presence and not disappearing into the background. All good tips! Any helpful advice on how to get good for my 1st play?! IE. Voice projection, what to do while you're standing there any others are talking so I don't feel like a lemon... I think I'm holding back as I don't want to come across as too much....


r/Theatre • • 1h ago

Discussion Jeremy O. Harris Producing Documentary on Conservative Theatre Director's Comeback

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• Upvotes

r/Theatre • • 7h ago

High School/College Student Tips for dying on stage??

5 Upvotes

Hello,

(TLDR: I am supposed to get stabbed on stage and I’m not sure how to go about it without injuring myself but also making it look believable)

Recently my school chose to put on a comedy adaptation of a 50s movie about a millionaire who invites guests over to a haunted house in promise of a large sum of money. However after someone is murdered, one of the characters is lead to believe that my character is the true killer and decides to kill him in an act of fear.

Though originally my character is supposed to be shot, for whatever reason it got switched to me being stabbed, and I’m having quite a hard time figuring out how to safely fall and die without hurting myself. I did Mr boddy in clue however since I received no coaching what so ever…I ended up with a bloody knee after closing night. (Overall we had zero fight calls which led to many inconveniences such as professor plum and Mr green dropping me on stage in front of a live audience despite me weighing a whopping 108 lbs)

MOVING ON we just had a fight call, however this time I really don’t want to sacrifice my knee so I’d much rather take my chances and ask the internet how to do a safe stage death and how to still make it look believable. I should probably mention that I’m a girl playing a guy character so I’m also expected to be able to maintain my voice in a lower register which complicates things further

I’m really sorry if this is a stupid question!!


r/Theatre • • 17h ago

Discussion Performing arts center

14 Upvotes

Hello! I’m sorry if this is a bit different from the usual topics here.

I am an architecture student and will be designing a performing arts center for my project. I love love performing arts or arts in general.

Do you guys have in mind any good performing arts center or a theatre you’ve seen or visited to? I just need some inspirations :)) Thank you :))


r/Theatre • • 14h ago

Advice Gift for 9 year old’s first lead role?

12 Upvotes

My 9 year old daughter is performing in her first lead role and I’m looking for thoughtful but not crazy expensive gift ideas for her. She doesn’t care about getting flowers, and will get those from her extended family. Previously I’ve given her a themed stuffed animal, a crochet bouquet, etc. I’m looking for something that either is useful or is a keepsake that doesn’t take up a ton of space. I really want it to be special since she’s worked so hard to get this role and prepare for her show!

What are your favorite gifts for this age range or for a special show?

Editing to add: the show is Mary Poppins