Theater

There are many reasons one can get into playwriting. One of the most common involves the urge to move your peers to some degree: whether through humor, high drama, or fantasy. Whether you believe...

Pierrot is the French version of Pedrolino, who was a stock character in commedia dell'arte. Commedia dell'arte (or Art of Comedy) was an improvisational art form that began in northern Italy and...

Writing a stage play requires more than just a vision. A writer must demonstrate his or her creativity, originality, genre, theme, storyline, timing skill, plot consistency, and character...

The process of auditioning for a play is always a battle against the odds; while many actors will audition for a part, only one will be selected. In order to win an audition, you must not only...

Harlequin is a character from the Commedia dell'arte (comedy of art). He is also commonly known as Arlecchino in Italian. Commedia dell'arte is improvised performance that makes use of several...

Having trouble landing a role? Maybe it is because you look fake up there. Let me help you find the character you want to become.

I have acted in dozens of plays, a few TV commercials and a couple of movies. I have directed plays. I am a very good cold reader and I am amazed by the number of actors who are not. I will give...

Memorizing lines is a necessary skill for an actor. Knowing his lines allows an actor to concentrate on the nuances of his character, to create a memorable performance. Being prepared shows...

Drama, from the Greek word meaning "action," is the art of acting, whether live onstage in theaters or for the camera. There are many factors that go into the making of a good actor and almost as...

Becoming an actress requires determining what type of character to be, whether it is the sexy lover or the quirky character actress. Learn how to play the role that best fits your personality and...

What is it that a character wants in a play? Learn about character motivation when writing a play analysis in this free literature and theater video from a college professor.

A character may have many obstacles in the play, but there's always one major obstacle. Learn how to determine a major obstacle when writing a play analysis in this free literature and theater...

Write down what everyone says about a character to determine their traits. Learn how to write a play analysis that addresses character traits and personality in this free literature and theater...

Polar attitudes represent a character's feelings at the beginning and the end of a play. Learn how to write about polar attitudes in a play analysis in this free literature and theater video from...

Character is a kind of offer that let's the audience know who you are and lets your fellow players know who you are. Learn how to use the "Yes, and" principle in improv to build ideas in this free...

With any musical, you have to not only sing but act in character. Learn tips for acting while your singing show tunes with this free video about online singing lessons.

Develop your character throughout the monologue when auditioning for a Broadway play. Learn about character development with expert tips from an actress in this free acting video.

Readers in a Broadway play audition are people who read the opposite character lines. Learn more about readers with expert tips from an actress in this free acting video.

A musical needs a solid story line; otherwise, it will end up just being a collection of songs. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but today's theater-going target audience will be...

Writing a script or play is tough but satisfying work. If you have ever wanted to see a story come to life on the stage or on the screen, though, writing a script is something that simply comes...

Theatrical makeup should align with the character being portrayed, so research is an important part of capturing the character's personality. Create drama through thoughtful makeup techniques with...

Emotions such as anger, sadness and joy, with the behavior that accompanies these emotions, are not difficult to portray on stage or on screen. Although they all have many levels and nuances,...

Puppets make interesting and unique book report props. Create a professional looking puppet using a few simple steps and common supplies. Your efforts create a product far more visually appealing...

Developing your character is one of the most important skills that you as an actor will need to develop. It is often up to the actor and director to make decisions about the way you portray your...

Movement is a basic part of acting. The way you move will reveal a lot about your character and what is going on in the scene.

Focus is one of the most important elements of a strong performance. Without proper focus, your performance will be lacking because you will not be invested 100%.

So you've finally landed the big role...now what?! This article will cover some basic tips on how to prepare yourself to play a character for the theater or on film.

With method acting, actors have the opportunity to give life-like performances while showing deep emotion and true grit. Most professional actors swear by it, and if you really want to get an edge...

As an actor, you will probably be called upon many times to deliver a prepared 1- to 3-minute monologue. It is a standard part of auditioning for a stage play or showcase. An agent or casting...

Being in children's ministry I've been around plenty of puppets. Here are some quick and easy tips for enhancing your puppeteer skills..

Many acting auditions require you to present a monologue: a single character speech that demonstrates an understanding of the character and the tone of the work being performed. Because you are...

Great stories deserve to be retold, and this includes adaptating them into new media. Adapting a novel into a stage play is one way of paying tribute to a beloved work and giving it life in a new...

When you’re writing a play, it’s important to make sure it has the elements of good drama. While some playwrights bend or break rules occasionally, no one has ever become a great playwright by...

Have an important audition coming up and need to freshen up on your cold reading skills? This article will help you get to the place you need to be mentally to pull through and give your best on...

Theatrical monologues are a specific type of theater, demanding intensive rehearsal, as there are no external prompts to aid in their delivery. To truly understand a monologue, it helps to read...

Do you long to write a script for a stage play? Is it your heart's desire to one day see your work performed on stage? Are you daunted by the technicalities of the whole process? What follows is a...

When they are performing in stage or film productions, actors are often required to appear in scenes that are charged with emotion. Whether the emotion is joy, love, fear, anger or one of many...

Community theater is a great outlet for actors of all skill levels. When you're acting in a community-theater production, there are countless ways to learn something new, tune up your performing...

How to choose a monologue for an audition.

Imrprov or Improvisational Comedy is the art of acting out scenes, playing characters, or delivering dialogue on the spot. Usually, hilarity ensues. Improv games can be performed on stage as...

For many actors, there’s nothing as scary as experiencing the fear of flubbing a line or making a mistake just as you are about to walk on stage. The thought alone can be enough to make a...

Theatre is a magical escape from reality and costumes are an essential part of that fantasy. They enhance the characters and actions onstage and add to the drama and intrigue of the story. By...

What's a beat? All stage plays have them. They're that moment in a scene when something big happens, when stakes are raised, when characters confront their foes and win. Or lose. It depends,...

For years you have been a big hit at parties. You are the one that can always be counted on for a laugh. Friends and family have said you should be a comedian, and you've finally decided to do...

If you love the singing and dancing of Broadway, than you can take a stab at writing your own Broadway music. Approaching this particular composition technique will give you the capability to...

Learn tips on how to get more character ideas for improv comedy int his free video clip.

Learn tips on how to develope a comedy improv character in this free video clip.

An excellent playwriting activity is to write an adaptation of a short story. Because short stories are written in the narrative form and plays are basically all dialogue, this activity presents...

Dialogue is cutting from character to character in a humorous interpretation. Get tips on performing dialogue for a humorous interpretation from a communications and public speaking expert in this...

Acting means knowing how your character acts. Is he or she introverted or extroverted? Learn to act in character from a performer in this free acting video.