So, You Want to be an Actor?

The lure of the stage lights calls to us and draws us! The reaction of a live audience. is incredible. There is nothing like it! So, how do you prepare yourself for the stage? How do you start?

Go in with realistic expectations about the amount of work that stage requires. Of course, everyone wants the prestige and that gorgeous lead, but stage means memorizing not just your role, but the lines and reactions of all our scene partners.

The first year, especially the first show will be an adjustment. In a good acting program, the learning curve is high. You will be learning a whole new language and way of thinking. Just like you would train for a marathon; you must train your body, brain, and attention span to last an entire performance. Always be prepared for each and every performance. So be ready to work and prove yourself. And focus on being kind to yourself. Understand that this is a process. Pace yourself.

If you miss a rehearsal, ensure you are caught up on any stage blocking and notes you missed so YOU are not making the cast wait for you to catch up. Stay humble.

Drink in the teachable moments. Seek out every cast member that has a deeper understanding of acting. Then, listen to the director with any suggestions that are given. “Takes direction well” is one of the best compliments you can receive… and puts you in a great place for future leads. Take notes so you can step in as an understudy.

Have fun with the process. Then, when the curtain opens, the end result is pure magic, for there is truly nothing like putting on a show! And always practice, Progress, not perfection!

Something to Percolate:

Talk to a director. Find out how they mentor and train students that are new. How do they invest in their growth?

HOW TO TEACH TEENS STAGE PRESENCE?

When you are on stage, it is easy for any beginning actor to fall into the pitfall of just smiling and being ready for your photo op. But this is not real acting. And any good director’s job is to create learning opportunities for teens to grow on stage, to deliver scenes with realness – not just a photo-op. And that realness? That’s where the best memories are made!

When you are on stage, you need to use your space, and give your body resistance to the area surrounding you. And you did this differently as your character…. And each character you create on stage will be VERY different than you, with unique personality traits, and motivations that you will represent with different animation in your acting physicality and expressions.

You have the opportunity to be a real storyteller on stage. You are taking the audience on a journey -a story arch with your scene partners. Stage presence is being PRESENT. If you “check out”, so will the audience, because the magic of theater and stage will be broken. This takes stamina and using your rehearsals to build this muscle memory allows for real transformative change and gorgeous stage presence.

Real stage presence call for each cast member to be energetic and activated, showing animation. Think of this as a forcefield that extends across the stage and into the audience. It is easy to fall into the trap of only activating part of the body or face when every part of the body is needing to be “activated” from your hair to your toes. Alive and animated, moving and attracting real and raw feedback. So create tension and release WITH your scene partners, and in doing so, you will stand out as an Acting Professional!

A Challenges to Percolate:

Do a simple mirror warmup with yourself or your scene partner. Challenge yourself to be bigger and give your muscles more resistance and realness.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ACTING PROGRAM FOR YOUR TEEN?

Ask yourself, what you want out of the program. And what does your teen want out of the experience? I would suggest choosing a program WITH your teen, since the teen’s voice should be part of the process, so they will feel more internally motivated for the best buy-in. Some programs are crammed as full as possible to give photo ops. This works for some, but not one that facilitates change and growth. If you are looking for a more serious and challenging program that helps teens channel their talents and master their craft, then there is much more to consider.

ACTING EDUCATION THAT FOCUSES  ON THE WELL-BEING OF THE TEEN

So many programs piggyback teen programs on adult programs. Teens develop emotionally and intellectually daily on and off the stage, and the program should honor this. A Movement Method can be excellent if it includes self-awareness and empathy building. Also, beware of Method Acting as it is dangerous for teens… and many adults. Your checklist should include if the director can instill confidence, encourage collaborative creativity, and teach teamwork. Students of the craft should thrive off-stage in life and in the spotlights. The best competition is when students compete against themselves, trying to get a little better than yesterday. Make sure the student has “a safe place to fail”. For instance, in LATTE Theater, the focus is “progress, not perfection”, so that they have permission to explore what works best and enjoy the journey.

REPUTATION

Stay away from schools that sound like a pyramid scheme. Payment for different levels does not automatically mean the student is learning anything – or the lessons are internalized. Check online and word-of-mouth recommendations, and see if you can attend a rehearsal to see what it’s like behind the scenes. Acting Training actually is training, not gift wrapping.

BUILDING REALISTIC AND AUTHENTIC SKILLS

Many programs have you imagining applause and enjoying the spotlights. Yet, the best ones set you up for real life with advocates in the field who can mentor you, a realistic understanding of what it all takes, and how these skills and abilities transfer to other industries.  Any director will tell you the audition begins from the moment you arrive on the property. A good program prepares you with a complete set of skills in your tool belt, resilience, assists in internal motivation, and helps the teen develop discipline.  

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Make sure that your teen feels safe and comfortable where they are creating. Best case, the student and cast ensemble work together collaboratively to create a quality scene with the director. Teens need a nurturing, energizing environment that facilitates healthy emotional wellness at its core. It should be nonjudgemental, yet challenging and FUN! At LATTE, we focus on high-level learning…  with laugh attacks and realness. Because in an environment of trust, the most incredible shows happen… and real, sustainable growth can take place.

~ Felicia Pfluger, Pfluger Empathy Movement Method, (c) 2023

THE JAVA JIVE: Acting Means Inspiration!

You are surrounded by “Inspiration” every day. And that inspiration, channeled, can make you INCREDIBLE on stage. Inspiration is the “verb” of Inspiring. It’s NOT the idle dream of making it big. It’s the lifeblood that allows you to craft your character and bring it to life with nuance, honesty – creating magic.

INSPIRATION allows you to eloquently craft a story as a stage ensemble, because you are developing a wholistic micro and macro world view – not drawing from a single source, but from an ocean of learning and understanding. In short, inspiration EMPOWERS you to be a spherical, unlimited powerhouse.  

Rule Two – Where’s Your Inspiration?

So, how do you get IT? Don’t rush it. Give yourself permission to disconnect from tech as you know it and connect to life differently. Immerse yourself in every art form. Explore an art museum or different cultures. Maybe attend a music concert or a dance form that is unique to you? You will find inspiration in HOW to move differently in character. Explore nature, a zoo, or a National Geographic video. Asking how creatures interact or fight SHAPES our character portrayals.

People-watch, take pics or sketch in public. Take in a nature walk and listen to how your breathing changes. BECOME a student of the world and cultures – in a Museum. Be aware and inspired by the “different”.

Immerse yourself in different perspectives as to NOT lose your perspective. This INSPIRATION will inspire countless people to become their best selves.

Challenges to Percolate:

Devote ten minutes to nurture yourself by:

  • Thinking HOW you would describe your world and story to someone from a different time or culture.
  • Do something different.
  • Read and ACT a classic poem.
  • Make a pact with a friend to share your “people watching” stories.
  • Listen to a This American Life in podcast.
  • Think how art shapes a culture or society or how it reflects it!

© The Pfluger Empathy Movement Method

Winter Acting Training Workshops – Gone Virtual!

ACTING TRAINING

At LATTE Theater, we continue to supply quality acting experiences no matter what the world throws at us! The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, volunteers, guests, and the entire community are always our first priority. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, and the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services

Please remember the 3W’s so we can perform and practice in person sooner!  Wear, Wait and Wash. https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/materials-resources/know-your-ws-wear-wait-wash

We will still have fun with LATTE’s acting training program!  Our Winter/Spring programs include our Uncommon Grounds Master Class Series, runs from January – May on the second Saturdays of the month from 11 – 12.