🎭Acting for the Stage Unit 10 – Acting in Classical Plays

Key Concepts in Classical Acting

• Understanding the historical and cultural context of the play is essential for accurate interpretation and portrayal of characters
• Analyzing the text involves examining the language, structure, and themes to gain insights into character motivations and relationships
• Maintaining proper posture, alignment, and breath support is crucial for projecting voice and conveying character
• Gestures, facial expressions, and movement should be purposeful and reflect the character's inner thoughts and emotions
• Connecting with scene partners through active listening, eye contact, and responding to their actions enhances the authenticity of the performance
• Embracing the heightened language and poetic nature of classical texts while making the words sound natural and spontaneous
• Developing a clear understanding of the character's objectives, obstacles, and tactics is essential for creating a compelling performance

Historical Context of Classical Theatre

• Classical theatre encompasses works from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as plays from the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras (Shakespeare)
• Greek theatre originated from religious festivals honoring Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, and evolved into a sophisticated art form
  • Greek plays were performed in outdoor amphitheaters with a chorus that commented on the action and provided exposition
  • Greek theatre introduced the concepts of tragedy and comedy, which have influenced theatre for centuries
• Roman theatre was heavily influenced by Greek theatre but also incorporated elements of mime, pantomime, and spectacle
• Renaissance theatre, particularly in Italy, France, and England, saw a revival of classical texts and the emergence of new dramatic forms (commedia dell'arte)
• Elizabethan theatre, exemplified by the works of Shakespeare, was characterized by a blend of classical and contemporary themes, complex characters, and poetic language
  • Plays were performed in open-air theaters like the Globe, with minimal sets and elaborate costumes

Analyzing Classical Text

• Close reading of the script is essential to understand the language, structure, and themes of the play
• Identify the key events, turning points, and climaxes in the plot to understand the arc of the story and character development
• Examine the language for clues about character relationships, social status, and emotional states
  • Pay attention to word choice, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices (metaphors, similes, alliteration)
• Analyze the use of verse and prose, as shifts between the two can indicate changes in character, mood, or tone
• Consider the historical and cultural context of the play, including the social norms, values, and beliefs of the time period
• Identify the central themes and motifs in the text and how they relate to character actions and decisions
• Explore the subtext, or the underlying meaning beneath the spoken words, to gain a deeper understanding of character motivations and relationships

Voice and Speech Techniques

• Proper breath support is the foundation of vocal technique, allowing for greater volume, clarity, and emotional expression
  • Engage the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to control the breath and support the voice
• Articulation exercises help improve diction and clarity of speech, ensuring that the audience can understand the text
• Vocal warm-ups, such as tongue twisters and lip trills, help prepare the voice for the demands of classical text
• Explore the use of pitch, tone, and inflection to convey character emotions and intentions
• Practice speaking in verse, maintaining the rhythm and meter of the text while making it sound natural and conversational
• Use pauses, phrasing, and emphasis to clarify meaning and highlight important words or ideas
• Adapt vocal technique to the performance space, considering factors such as acoustics and audience distance

Physical Characterization

• Posture and alignment should reflect the character's age, social status, and emotional state
  • Experiment with different centers of gravity (head, chest, pelvis) to find the character's physicality
• Gesture should be purposeful and connected to the character's thoughts and emotions
  • Avoid superfluous or unnatural gestures that distract from the text
• Facial expressions should be authentic and responsive to the character's inner life and the actions of scene partners
• Movement patterns, such as gait and tempo, can convey character traits and emotional states
• Use the performance space effectively, considering blocking, levels, and proximity to other characters
• Incorporate period-specific movement and mannerisms, such as bows, curtsies, and hand-kissing, to enhance the historical authenticity of the performance
• Explore the use of costume and props to inform physical characterization and create a more fully realized character

Rehearsal Process for Classical Plays

• Table work involves reading the script aloud, discussing character relationships, and analyzing the text for meaning and subtext
• Blocking rehearsals establish the physical movement and positioning of characters on stage, ensuring that the action is visible and meaningful
• Scene work focuses on developing character relationships, exploring emotional arcs, and finding the rhythm and pacing of the text
• Run-throughs allow actors to experience the flow of the entire play and make connections between scenes
• Technical rehearsals integrate lighting, sound, and set changes into the performance, allowing actors to adapt to the production elements
• Dress rehearsals provide an opportunity to perform the play in full costume and makeup, making final adjustments before opening night
• Continuous reflection and refinement throughout the rehearsal process help actors deepen their understanding of the characters and the play as a whole

Performance Challenges and Solutions

• Maintaining the clarity and intelligibility of the text, particularly when using heightened language or unfamiliar vocabulary
  • Solution: Focus on articulation, phrasing, and emphasis to ensure the audience can follow the story
• Conveying authentic emotions while speaking in verse or elevated language
  • Solution: Connect the language to the character's thoughts and feelings, making it feel natural and spontaneous
• Adapting to the physical demands of period costumes, such as corsets, doublets, and hats
  • Solution: Practice moving and speaking in costume to develop comfort and ease on stage
• Engaging with the audience in a larger or more distant performance space
  • Solution: Project the voice and use clear, purposeful gestures to communicate effectively
• Maintaining energy and focus during long performances or demanding roles
  • Solution: Develop a pre-show warm-up routine and practice proper self-care to sustain physical and mental stamina
• Handling unexpected challenges, such as prop malfunctions or missed cues
  • Solution: Remain in character, improvise when necessary, and trust in the support of fellow cast members
• Balancing the demands of classical text with the need for authentic, relatable performances
  • Solution: Find personal connections to the characters and their experiences, making the story relevant to contemporary audiences

Famous Classical Roles and Interpretations

• Hamlet (Shakespeare): A complex and introspective character grappling with questions of morality, mortality, and action versus inaction
  • Notable interpretations: Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh, Jude Law
• Medea (Euripides): A powerful and vengeful woman who seeks retribution against her unfaithful husband
  • Notable interpretations: Diana Rigg, Fiona Shaw, Helen McCrory
• Richard III (Shakespeare): A ruthless and manipulative king who will stop at nothing to gain and maintain power
  • Notable interpretations: Laurence Olivier, Ian McKellen, Al Pacino
• Antigone (Sophocles): A young woman who defies the state to honor her family and her beliefs
  • Notable interpretations: Katharine Hepburn, Juliet Stevenson, Juliette Binoche
• Lady Macbeth (Shakespeare): A cunning and ambitious woman who encourages her husband to commit murder for power
  • Notable interpretations: Judi Dench, Jeanette Nolan, Marion Cotillard
• Cyrano de Bergerac (Rostand): A skilled swordsman and poet with a large nose who loves a beautiful woman from afar
  • Notable interpretations: José Ferrer, Gérard Depardieu, Kevin Kline
• Oedipus (Sophocles): A tragic hero who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that leads to his downfall
  • Notable interpretations: John Gielgud, Christopher Plummer, Ralph Fiennes