From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Acting is the work of an
actor or
actress, which is a person in
theatre,
television,
film, or any other
storytelling medium who tells the story by
portraying a
character and, usually,
speaking or
singing the written text or
play. Most early
sources in the
West that examine the art of acting (
Ancient Greek:
hypokrisis) discuss it as part of
rhetoric.
[1] While
there is a set definition for the word "acting", there is no set
definition for the phrase "to act". It is thought that the actor is
typically supposed to "become the other", where the actor molds his
or herself to the character. In all actuality, the actor should
mold the character to his or herself based on common interests and
goals that the character needs to achieve. This method is commonly
taught through
Constantin Stanislavski.
Definition and history
The first
actor is believed
to be
Thespis of Icaria, a
man of ancient Greece. "Plays" of this time, called dithrombic
chorus involved a chorus of 50 who sang the story to the audience.
The possibly
apocryphal story says that Thespis stepped
out of the chorus and spoke to them as a separate character in the
story. Before Thespis, the chorus in all plays would sing in a
narrative way, "Dionysus did this, Dionysus said that." When
Thespis stepped out from the chorus, he said "I am Dionysus. I did
this." From Thespis' name derives the word
thespian, meaning any sort of performer but
chiefly an actor. The International Thespian is said to possess a
number of skills, including good
vocal projection, clarity of
speech, physical expressiveness, a good
sense of
perspective, emotional
availability, a well developed
imagination, the ability to analyze and
understand dramatic text, and the ability to emulate or generate
emotional and physical
conditions. Well-rounded actors are often also skilled in
visual arts, emotional
expressiveness, imitating
dialects,
accents and body
language,
improvisation, observation and
emulation,
mime,
stage combat, and
performing classical texts such as
Shakespeare. Many actors train at
length in special programs or colleges to develop these skills,
which have a wide range of different art.
"Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary
circumstances."
"The foundation of acting is the reality of doing." -
Sanford Meisner[2]
Professional
actors
Not all people working as actors in
film,
television or
theatre are
professionally trained. Chances of
succeeding as an
actor are
greatly enhanced by studying drama at a university or college, or
acting classes in studios or conservatories. Conservatories
typically offer two to four year training on all aspects of acting.
Universities will offer three to four year programs, where a
student can choose to focus on acting, while still learning about
other aspects of theatre. Schools will vary in their approach, but
in North America the most popular method taught is the 'inside out'
technique, developed by
Stanislavski in his
early years and popularized in America by
Lee Strasberg and
Stella Adler. Others may include a more
physical approach, following the teachings of Jerzy Grotowski and
others. Other classes might include mask work, improv, acting for
the camera workshops, etc. Regardless of a school's approach,
students should expect intensive training in textual
interpretation, voice and movement. Applications to drama programs
and conservatories are through
auditions in the United States. Anybody
over the age of 18 can usually apply to
drama school.
Training can also start at a very young age. Acting classes and
professional schools targeted at the under-eighteen crowd are
offered in many locations. These classes introduce young thespians
to different aspects of acting and theater from scene study to
musical theater. Aspiring young actors may or may not go on to
study at a University or Conservatory program.
References
Sources
- Boleslavsky, Richard. 1933 Acting: the
First Six Lessons. New York: Theatre Arts, 1987. ISBN
0878300007.
- Brustein, Robert. 2005. Letters to a Young Actor New
York: Basic Books. ISBN 0465008062.
- Csapo, Eric, and William J. Slater. 1994. The Context of
Ancient Drama. Ann Arbor: The U of Michigan P. ISBN
0472082752.
- Darius, Adam.
1998. Acting - A Psychological and Technical Approach.
Kolesnik Production OY, Helsinki. ISBN 952909146X
- Hagen, Uta. 1973.
Respect for Acting. New York: Macmillan. ISBN
0025473905.
- Hodge, Alison, ed. 2000. Twentieth Century Actor
Training. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN
0415194520.
- Marston, Merlin, ed. 1987. 'Sanford Meisner on Acting' New
York: Random House. ISBN 0394750594.
- Stanislavski, Konstantin. 1938.
An Actor’s Work: A Student’s Diary. Trans. and ed. Jean
Benedetti. London: Routledge, 2008. ISBN 9780415422239.
- Zarrilli, Phillip B., ed. 2002. Acting (Re)Considered: A
Theoretical and Practical Guide. Worlds of Performance Ser.
2nd edition. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 041526300X.
- Piven Theatre Workshop
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