Developing skills for Performance Essay Example

are portraying the character rather than just acting. Along with this, other skills such as vocal and movement training are important, however, overanalyzing the performance should be avoided, as the saying goes - "less is more". Additionally, patience is required as actors may often go through periods without work. It's also important to decide how to scale a performance depending on the situation.

When preparing for a role, it is important for actors to be observant of the character's behavior. However, it is also crucial for them to limit the amount of research they do to prevent overthinking and delivering an unnatural performance. Possessing versatility can greatly benefit actors as it enables them to play various roles, including comedy, drama, and classical. Restricting oneself to one genre can lead to being typecast by directors and missing out on opportunities to perform in other genres. Timing is critical for many types of acting, especially stand-up. A sense of timing is necessary for most live performances since it ensures smooth conversations and a successful show.

Comic timing is an essential skill for engaging audiences in stand-up comedy or comedy plays. It is also necessary for actors to maintain good health and physical fitness. In the past, actors at the Globe theatre had to do their own stunts, including sword fighting and convincing falls. Acting involves communication and actors serve as the medium for writers' ideas to reach audiences. Therefore, it is important that actors thoroughly read, analyze, and interpret scripts before learning their parts. Rehearsals take up a significant amount of an actor's time, and are guided by experienced directors who possess knowledge in acting, design, and stage management.

Directors

guide actors in various acting techniques including movements, gestures, vocal skills, pauses, facial expressions and more. These techniques are practised and repeated to deliver memorable performances. To succeed in any area, including performing, a vital step is to identify one's strengths, weaknesses and personal goals through a skills audit. By conducting a skills audit, one can understand their own capabilities and aims, and progress in their learning process. One of my strengths is confidently assuming roles outside my own personality. As an example, I played a character emotionally out of control in my GCSE drama exam.

Wearing a costume boosts my self-assurance by enabling me to detach from myself. The diversity of characters I play enhances this skill, allowing me to portray various roles without constraint. As an actor, I rely on personal emotions, memories, and sensory perceptions to craft a character. Therefore, relaxation is vital for me to fully embody the character's mindset and release any physical or mental tension.

My ability to swiftly and smoothly alter the tone and dynamics of my voice is one of my strengths. This skill proves particularly useful when I need to vocalize different thoughts compared to what I am communicating to other characters. I exhibited this talent in my GCSE piece, and it also benefits me in voice work. To enhance this ability, I practice diverse voices and create unique original characters. It is crucial to conduct research on a character's personality as proven by actors such as David Tennant who utilized his personal experiences with brain injuries for insight into his character's life. While researching a role, I compare my character's traits and mannerisms with those found

in real-life individuals which helps me develop an all-around character. Empathy towards the character is essential because it facilitates getting into the proper mindset for the role. Additionally, costume selection plays a vital role; wearing suitable attire aids me significantly in getting into character and delivering an exceptional performance.

My strength lies in my versatility, allowing me to portray a diverse range of characters - from lively youths to grumpy elders. This exceptional quality grants me the freedom to not be confined to specific roles, although I excel in certain ones and may have personal preferences. To refine my skills, I delve into parts that differ greatly from my current situation. Embracing an open-minded mentality, I welcome constructive criticism as it aids me in enhancing my performance. This technique is invaluable since it's impossible for me to grasp every aspect of a character completely. By accepting feedback, I'm motivated to give my best and gain insight into how others perceive me.

One of my primary weaknesses during a performance is diverting attention away from the audience. While I can typically correct this behavior, it may distract me from delivering my intended message. Addressing this issue is essential, as it can cause the audience to miss critical information and feel excluded similar to someone talking with their back turned. By correcting this weakness, I will enhance my performance by interacting more effectively with the audience.

Another area where improvement is necessary for me lies in organization - particularly when dealing with coursework and papers. Effective time-management skills are crucial in achieving a polished and professional performance.

Improving my time management skills will be a challenging yet worthwhile task. There are

various ways to enhance productivity, such as creating a schedule and adhering to it or collaborating with others to plan the next steps. It is crucial for me to determine which approach works best since an inadequate plan can result in poor performance, particularly when working on a specific role for an extended period. One of my top priorities is staying organized while rehearsing multiple plays simultaneously. Furthermore, not using all available space during performances can also impede my abilities. In hindsight, I regretted not taking advantage of the 1 1/2 meter space between the audience and me during my GCSE piece. This missed opportunity could have improved my performance significantly, particularly during moments of anger and shouting at the audience. Although I became aware of this mistake after the show had ended, I am mindful of it for future performances since neglecting available space runs the risk of failing to connect with the audience - something essential for success as Judi Dench said that "acting is for others."

When using someone else's script, I struggle to recall the exact words and often feel compelled to make alterations. If I can relate to the content, or with dedicated effort, I can learn the script. Shakespearean language, like in Romeo and Juliet, presents a particular challenge. To improve, I practice alone and with others. Sometimes I don't move enough during a monologue because I'm focused on pronouncing words correctly, but rehearsal can help overcome this weakness.

My first aim is to maintain eye contact with the audience during performances. I sometimes turn my back on them, but I will focus on this during rehearsals so that I do

it automatically during performances. This is crucial to make the audience feel involved in the performance. Secondly, I aim to improve my organizational skills, not only with coursework and papers, but also with managing time for a professional and polished performance. Even if I think notes are useless at the time, I will keep them to stay organized.

My aim is to receive unbiased feedback from individuals who are not my friends since they are more likely to provide constructive criticism. For effective portrayal of my character, rehearsals in costume should commence as early as possible. However, I often delay putting on the costume until a few days before the performance, which limits the time spent in character. I need to prioritize my tasks and understand what can be appropriately done at home as opposed to using the hall available during class. In addition to attending workshops, researching actors such as Janet Mcteer, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Judi Dench have given me insight into how best to prepare for performances. Their opinions have made me think, such as when Judi Dench mentioned that observing other people is now a natural tendency.

Observing people's mannerisms while in crowded environments has strongly influenced me and I consider it to be a useful skill. Attending the theatre on October 28th, 2009 to watch "A Winter's Tale" was a significant experience as it offered me valuable insights into theatrical performances and helped me connect my workshop training to practical applications. In addition to attending movement workshops, I also participate in movement and fitness classes at school which aid in preparing for physical demands of workshops since it is crucial for an

actor's body to remain fit and flexible, especially when performing multiple times in a row.

In order to improve my performance, I must practice what I have learned during the workshop at home. This not only helps me enhance my skills but also exhibits my dedication to the sessions. It saves precious time in class, which can instead be utilized for other activities. For instance, after attending the second workshop, I practiced my posture against a wall at home and was eventually able to master it. Similarly, for the Launcelot monologue, I experimented with movement and memorized the lines at home to use class time more efficiently.