"Thou runn'st before me, shifting every place"

Everyone should understand that you must maintain your prescense on the stage at all times while your performing. After all, you are ACTING, aren't you? Don't be subtle; be broad!! The stage is made up almost entirely by overexaggerating everything!! So give some time to thinking about how and who your character is. Given the situations, how are they responding? How do they react to others? And how can you show that to the audience?

Facial expressions can only get you so far, considering how distant some of the audience will be. The body is the greatest way to express yourself on the stage, especially when you're not currently speaking. If they're angry, show the rage in a heaving stomach and clenched fists. If they sad, why not slump your shoulders and droop your head. It may seem a bit over-the-top in real life, but on the stage, it's just perfect!!

Another way people try to become more animated is through mannerisms. As a high spirited fairy, Puck may be very active, performing cartwheels or flips, shaking his head, or constantly moving his hand about. Or maybe Snout, who may not be all that bright, may put his hand to his hand while thinking really hard. Think about your character and what they'd do if they were to walk about normally. If Demetrius is a passionate hothead, his steps could be larger and more abrupt. At the same time, if Quince is a perfectionist playwright, he could be always trying to fix and correct the others over the tiniest of details.

"Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows"

Fairies, as you design your costumes you can begin to ponder how you are going to move in that costume. I know for the afternoon cast we are going with a nature theme but the morning cast can use this advice too.

For example, if you are a fairy who is like a certain type of animal or even a plant, first take a moment to act as if you were that animal. Not as if you were like that animal, as if you were that animal.

Next, note the movements you make as you pretend to be that animal. If you were pretending to be a snake you would probably have clapped your hands to your side and slithering from side to side and scaring your younger siblings by staring them straight in the eyes. However if you were a squirrel your movements would have been more abrupt and you'd be keeping your eyes wider.

Next, pretend you are that animal/plant that is somehow trying to pretend it is a human. Keep all those motions you noted before but otherwise act totally natural. Try to act like a snake without letting anyone figure out that you are acting like a snake. Slithery motions and prolonged eye contact, but don't get out of hand by flicking your tongue in and out as if you just drank a glass of pure quinine or something. That'll give you away.

Now apply these motions to your character. Remember the key is not to act like an animal but like an animal pretending to be a human. It's tricky but it looks more natural.

This exercise is not only for fairies. You can liken your character to an animal and use this same exercise. Your character could just as easily be as flittery as a sparrow as it could be as slow and measured as a lion. Your choice. Go ahead and try it out. I dare you to try it at the next practice. Make it subtle enough that no one catches on but obvious enough that everyone understands when you tell them what you were doing afterwards.

Quick Script Tip!! Brainstorm over your scenes!!

If all goes well, you won't be needing your script to remember your lines by the time August comes rolling around, but that shouldn't mean you won't be referencing it at all throughout Shakespeare Camp!! Throughout the week of camp, it's recommended you maintain, customize, and personalize your script!!

Scribble over your script; it's great for documenting your ideas and thoughts as you read out the story. Doodle faces next to your lines that shows the different emotions may you want to express during those scenes.