Download ArticleDownload ArticleX
This article was co-authored by Lesly Kahn, MFA. Lesly Kahn is an acting teacher and coach based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and owner of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, which focuses on preparing actors for employment in film, television and theatre. With well over 30 years of experience, Ms. Kahn has coached hundreds of actors who have become household names. She also ran the BFA Program in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College, and worked in television as well as New York and regional theatre. Lesly holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA from The Yale School of Drama.
How.com.vn marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 81% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 187,905 times.
In these steps you will learn a few ways to prepare you for the stage. With this information you will be ready for anything with singing, dancing, and dialogue.
Steps
Download Article
Learn your lines. Practice makes perfect, so think of learning your lines as studying for a test that if you fail everyone knows and you can not take it again. Use a highlighter to make your lines jump off the page. When studying, say the words out loud. Have a friend run your lines with you when you're not in rehearsal.[1]- Try to visualize your lines so they're easier to remember.[2]
Learn your song. Singing memorization is just as important as dialogue. Lyrics can be tricky. Study and go over them as much as possible. Sing in the mirror so you can see what you look like while singing, this helps correct any mistakes you may or may not have made.[3]- Learn your notes and harmonies as well. Even if you know your lyrics, it won't sound as good unless you get the notes right.
Advertisement
Practice any dancing. You must have the patience and time' to work at it everyday. Take your time and learn the steps the right way first so you do not have to go back and slow everyone else down.
Decide how you want to affect the person you are talking to (or singing to) with your lines. Do you want to charm them, offend them, destroy them, etc.? This is called an objective and may change as you go through the rehearsal process and discover new things about the piece.[4]
Always make a strong choice about your character. In other words, I "kind of" love the other person is a weak choice. I'm crazy about the other person is a strong choice. Ambiguity does not work on stage. Remember to exaggerate all character choices so that the story and your character come across clearly.
Next is blocking. This means learning where you are and where you have to go during a scene. In any play you've got to know what's going on around you so you can hear your cue to give a line or move in the scene.
Drink a lot of fluids and (most importantly) have fun! Acting is work, but you can let loose, and have fun.[5]
On the night of the performance everyone is always nervous - it's a sign of sanity! Besides, being too relaxed and over-confident can hurt your performance.[6]
It is best to get into character at least 10 minutes before the first scene, even if you aren't in it.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
- QuestionWhen I'm singing, I often lose my breath from nerves, is there any way to stop this?
Community AnswerIt happens to me too and I often notice that my legs are stiff and tense. It's best to try to get in a relaxed position, whether it's sitting or even letting your body hang loose. Next, remember to breathe from your diaphragm and in through your nose, out through your mouth. Finally, know where your notes are being held in your body, such as your head voice, chest voice, and the overall body voice. Try not to focus on the audience when you're performing, just pick a spot at the back of the room and stare at it. - QuestionWhat should I do before opening night?
Community AnswerGet everything ready and prepare yourself for an amazing night. Go to bed early and sleep well if possible and just try to stay calm. - QuestionWhat do I do if I forget my lines on stage?
Community AnswerIf you know roughly what the line is, find a way to weave in the basic idea. Otherwise, if you know that one of your fellow cast members has a line to say soon after the one you forgot, find a way to prompt them to say that to get past it. Standing there silent for any longer than a few seconds will tip the audience off that something was missed, so you want to resurrect the situation one way or another quickly so the audience does not realize anything was off. Learn your cues - it's all well and good knowing your lines, but if you don't know where to say them, there's no point.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
SubmitAdvertisement
Video
Tips
- Speak loud and clear so that the people in the last row of the theatre can hear you.[7]Thanks
- If your stage partner messes up, do not react. This will make yourself and your stage partner panicked - so just continue the show.Thanks
- If you mess up, just keep going or say something similar to it. After all, the audience doesn't know what your lines are supposed to be and if you do mess up and they hear you clearly, just laugh it off and say the correct one! Improve.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- If you drink a lot of fluids, be sure you have access to a restroom before you go onstage (this is especially important if you are very nervous). We don't want any "accidents" onstage...Thanks
- Never underestimate others and do not be over-confident.Thanks
- Don't think negatively.Thanks
- Don't let yourself be directed by other actors. That's the director's job.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/nerves.html
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/10/tips-stage-performance-singing
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/10/tips-stage-performance-singing
- ↑ https://www.voices.com/blog/6-preparations-great-vocal-performance/
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/nerves.html
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
About This Article
Acting Teacher & Coach
This article was co-authored by Lesly Kahn, MFA. Lesly Kahn is an acting teacher and coach based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and owner of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, which focuses on preparing actors for employment in film, television and theatre. With well over 30 years of experience, Ms. Kahn has coached hundreds of actors who have become household names. She also ran the BFA Program in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College, and worked in television as well as New York and regional theatre. Lesly holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA from The Yale School of Drama. This article has been viewed 187,905 times.
Co-authors: 44
Updated: October 10, 2023
Views: 187,905
Categories: Performing Arts
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 187,905 times.
Reader Success Stories
"Drink fluids - these people speak the truth! Guzzle those water bottles! Sip from the juice of oranges!"
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
Advertisement
