Performing from a Text

Understanding the Text and Characterization

Understanding the text: The first step is fully appreciating the narrative, characters, themes, and structure in the piece. This requires reading and analysing the script multiple times.
Characterization: Develop your role by understanding their motives, desires, relationships, and personality. Consider their physical characteristics, body language, vocal ability, and accent to achieve a believable portrayal.

Ensemble work: Learn how to co-operate and work effectively in a group. Every member has a role and should actively contribute to the collective creative process.
Rehearsals: Regular and productive rehearsals are necessary. They give the opportunity to refine all aspects of performance, from blocking and voice work to characterisation and timing.

Use of space: Consider your positioning on stage, and how to make use of the whole space for creative effects. This includes the way your character moves and their body language.
Stage directions: These need to be interpreted and applied accurately and effectively. They offer insight into the playwright’s vision, including character behaviour and feelings.
Blocking: This is the process whereby movements of all the performers are worked out. It includes the planning and practise of actor positioning, movement and stage business.

Voice and speech: Allow for suitable projection, clarity, and tone to communicate characters and narrative clearly. This may include the use of accents, pitch, pace and pause to create characterisation and mood.
Use of props and costumes: Items and clothing chosen should be appropriate to the characters and the story. They contribute to the illusion of the drama and the conviction of the performance.

Interpretation: Develop an understanding and perspective on the script that you can communicate through your performance. This will involve a creative thought process.
Improvisation: Whereas it’s essential to adhere to the script, you might find times when spontaneous creativity or problem-solving is needed on stage.
Feedback: Be receptive to criticism and willing to refine your performance based on constructive comments. This is key to growth and improvement.
Performance: Finally, the culmination of all the hard work is the performance itself. Here, the focus should be on maintaining character, delivering lines genuinely, and engaging with the audience confidently.