In almost every script there is that one scene in which the actor really has to take a big emotional leap into the great beyond. Often in the scene this is where the character either digs his heels into the ground and claims his freedom or perhaps drops down the guard and finially lets the waterworks roll. How do you rehearse this scene? Do you just tell the actor, “Here is where you have to cry. Damn it.” and then you just wait for it – – and when it doesn’t happen you hold the actor accountable to the dry face. This really does present a tough place for the actor because he will so easily win or lose the moment. And when the actor sees only a win or loss they take no risk and make no movent. He is just so afraid to get it wrong. It does present an interesting Catch-22 that they will never overcome.
The other option is simply to avoid this moment. Every time the script gets to this moment you simply stop the rehearsal and jump to someplace after this big moment. The problem is gone because the problem is never tackled. It certainly make the rehearsal process less stressful – but as opening night comes closer it becomes a bigger and bigger obstacle. Those things ignored now become quite a monster a few days down the road.
Option three would be for the director to just step away from the moment. The director could just stop talking as the work approaches this moment. The thought here is that if you don’t intimidate the actor or push them to a win or loss they might just stumble on the moment. Accidents can happen, and perhaps both will get lucky. But, must we rely on luck?
I am working through these approaches for my big moment in Shadow Box in which a character has been holding in all of his fear and love and then suddenly drops months of keeping it in. Tough. Really tough. I so want the actor to just do it and so afraid that WHATEVER I am doing I am going to add confusion and drive the actor even further away.
My plan for this moment and this actor in this play at this time is to make the chore a bit of a game. Lower the need to get results and TRUST that an understanding of the who, what, where and why will lead to a “HOW” that will include the needed explosion. All things are made easier in a game.
Both the actor and I want to get there. We are just a bit unsure which map will get us to our destiantion. Where is the GPS when you need it?
3 comments on “That Moment”
Ha-ha!! This is the ultimate problem, isn’t it? You’ve got to be real, but you also have to satisfy the moment. So you can’t keep ignoring it in rehearsal and hope for the best. It has to appear natural, and I’ve seen what happens when you just ignore it in rehearsal. (Yuck.)
The idea of making it a game intrigues me, and I’ve never seen anything like that done. Games are used in TAGteaching, where the subject is learning new skills, such as gymnastics or dancing, but I’ve never seen it used in acting.
I wish I could be there to see the rehearsals and see how you develop this very important moment. I bet it will turn out wonderfully, though, given your passion and experience with kids and theater. 🙂
An actor has to be willing to put their emotions on display. I think it’s typical for a person to hide their emotions inside, keeping them penned up. We keep our emotions inside by tensing our bodies without realizing it. I would think that relaxation exercises would be a great help.
Are there times in the actor’s life that they were expecting something terrible to happen and got themselves all worked up about it and then it didn’t happen? Trying to remember that moment of relief and how to express it might help.
I’d love to hear how your production turns out! I hope you let us know.
That’s a tough one. I don’t even cry in real life! I have no idea how to turn on the waterworks when a script calls for it.
Maybe if I were more sensitive I could do it? But I’m really not that way.
Anyway, I hope that you all figure out something that works. I admire people who can do this sort of thing.