THE ACTOR-what is acting

Links provided for more detailed descriptions of the events or characters

Considered to be the first Art of the theater

1. Collaborate art form; dance, voice, scenic artistry, acting, playwright. Impersonation was the first art of the theater as a result of pantomime
2. Craft of the theater, it could be taught. The actor can be both or only a craftsman

Treating acting as a craft

1. Theater is recognized most by those that audiences see on stage, more so than any other aspect of the field
2. Most of the talk is about the actor, not the scenery
3. Most actors are whiners and complainers, especially the most famous ones

The playwright is responsibel for the dialogue that the actor is taught. They have to know how to deliver it on stage.
The actor ends up getting all the credit and are pampered people. This is how it should be because they are the main ones responsible for drawing the audience. (Who is more valuable, a house painter or a doctor?)
New York is probably the richest city on the planet because of theater and its ballteams.
Throughout history there has been four 4 aspects of acting most significant.

1. Character simulation
2. Character embodiment
3. Performing virtuosity
4. Magic

THESE FOUR ELEMENTS ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT 'CRAFTED ELEMENTS'

A)Character Simulation- (most recognizable responsibility of any actor)
The actor is providing the audience with all that is necessary to suspend disbelief.
Sometimes meed to use external characteristics to simulate the part,
(Dearly Departed, redneck mullet, no glasses for Kelly's part)
An attempt is made anyway- (like when making a young woman play and old woman sometimes it's a poor effort) Would you buy Kelly as a big hoss of a guy? NOT! Ways to achieve the illusiions necessary is throught the use of masks, costumes, hair pieces, tattoo's, tones of voice, quirks of the character that you learn to portray like the walk Junior(Kelly) used in "Dearly Departed", the head cocking movement. Ray-Buds character had the nicly trimmed side burns, work clothes worn.
Actor needs to sell out, not be ashamed or shy about part.
Anyone can be cast in a part but on the other hand, the actor has to "look' the part too. External elements need to be known to enable the actor to be able to portray them correctly without seeming to be making fun of a real life person. (Such as in the "Boy's Next Door") Physical elements can be used in combination with the voice of another.
EMBODIMENT-Which one are you playing? You have to pick the righ one to fit the part.
The ability to crawl inside the character, to unzip the body of that character and step into it.
There are two schools of thought

1. Some actors want to go and live like the character that they are playing. (live like a homeless person)
2. Study the plight of the person, meet people like the part you are portraying

THE ABOVE FIRST TWO ELEMENTS ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT 'CRAFTED ELEMENTS'

ECONOMY OF MOVEMENT-ARTISTIC ELEMENTS (NATURAL)

VIRTUOSITY-THe ability of an actor to transcend himself into the character so that the audience can sympathize with and understand every movement the character makes. Born with it and can get training to improve it

• Dynamic voices- gives actor varyin degrees of employment
• Mastery of his own body, strength, balance, full control over every extremities

MAGIC
Superstar status, a quality that can't be explained, like Michael Jordon in basketball.
This is the ULTIMATE artistic quality and is undefinable. Actors Instrument DIMSV

1. Voice-need to keep it polished
2. Speech
3. Movement
4. Imagination
5. Discipline

THE ECONOMY OF MOVEMENT
This is when the actor is in such control the slightest movement can have the greatest impact.
The actors approach can be either external or internal external like learning to use a wheelchair or internal like living as a homeless person.
THREE ELEMENTS OF ACTORS (CHARACTERS) MOTIVATION

1. Situational intentions
2. Characters tactics
3. Mode of Performance

THREE STAGES OF AN ACTORS ROUTINE

1. Auditioning
2. Reheasing
3. Performing

SIX THINGS THAT A DIRECTOR IS LOOKING FOR IN AN AUDITION

1. Charm- charisma, not looks but someone who grabs your focus
2. Spontanaity
3. Discipline
4. Maturity
5. Vocal Quality
6. Simulation

Fine Arts Theater Part One