"When you have spoken your speech, enter into that brake; and so every one according to his cue."

Whenever you're on stage, you must always be active, be it broadly or subtly. You can't just stand limply and mindlessly stare off into nothingness whenever you're not speaking. When your on the stage, you are a part of the act. And everyone must act when in the act. We've had some actors who would be incredibly animated while reciting their lines, but the moment they quit speaking, they would become as lifeless and motionless as a statue..!!

But be that as it may, it's understandable. It's difficult to act while you're not speaking. And besides, you don't want to distract the audience from what's being said!! You have to maintain a balance between undermoving and overmoving. It's a difficult balance to manage, but that's all part of acting in theater!!

Just think about it for a moment. What are you doing in that scene? Are you talking with somebody? Maybe you should act like you're actually listening then!! React to what they say, be it in surprise or disdain. Are you amazed by the news that is being delivered? Why not gasp or gape?

If you're not actually participating in the scene, you can also try to mess around upstage with the other characters. You can always pantomime some sort of skit; just as long as you keep it silent and subtle. Action in the background of the scenes can really add to the flow, but it can also detract and disrupt it if the action is too large or broad..!!

When memorizing your lines, don't skip over any dialogue merely because you aren't speaking; you'll have to be doing something during those lines, and you sitting around doing nothing isn't going to work. As an exercise of sorts, why not have somebody else read them out so you can practice how you'll act and react to the lines!!

"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.

Warming up for the Stage (Body Edition)

For those of you who are new to our Homeschool Shakespeare Camp, we generally begin each day with a set of exercises that get us warmed up for the day. We all circle up, and we loosen up our bodies, faces, and voices. Here's just a couple of the exercises we'll we walking through. Maybe you should try some of them out yourself when you're preparing for Shakespeare Camp!!

Yes... you will look quite silly while you exercise.

Warming Up for the Stage (Voice Edition)

For those of you who are new to our Homeschool Shakespeare Camp, we generally begin each day with a set of exercises that get us warmed up for the day. We all circle up, and we loose up our bodies, faces, and voices. Here's just a couple of the exercises we'll we walking through. Maybe you should try some of them out yourself when you're preparing for Shakespeare Camp!!

"Big black bugs bleed blue blood!! Wait.. What?"

"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.

"Demetrius is a worthy gentleman"

Much of acting is understanding your character. Any aspect of the character can affect your interpretation of their personality, which in extension affects your personification of the character. Knowing their habits and hobbies, knowing their talents and skills, knowing their occupation and professions... Knowing and understanding your character can exponentially improve your portrayal of them beyond mindlessly memorizing their lines and quickly cutting out their costumes.

So as a fun exercise of sorts, try to give your character a story. Read through the script and try to find all the clues scattered around about your character. If you can't find anything about your character, fill the void and imagine up something that may befit them. Don't be afraid to make up your character as you begin understanding them better. Try to apply them to your character. As you memorize your lines, try to add facial expression and body gestures that work with your understanding.

Why does Theseus think that "Demetrius is a worthy gentleman?" Is there a story behind all that? Just what does Snug do as a "joiner," or Snout as a "tinker?" Why is Puck called "Robin Goodfellow?" Why is Helena so enamored of Demetrius? How does Oberon make himself invisible? There are so many questions that can be answered with just a bit of understanding.