1. Reactive acting in a scene with smaller characters
Reactive acting in a scene with smaller characters
Today we worked on acting in a scene with less theatrical characters - and how the characters interact with each other. With our characters from "The sound of music", we don't have huge theatrical characters with built in comedic timing as we have in the past with scenes from Legally blonde and Wicked. Instead - we have more mild characters that we have to build out without being able to capitalize on one specific character trait. Because the characters a more subtle and complex - we have to add things to make sure they are as stage worthy and ready as our huge characters. A big part of what we add is extreme reactive acting. There is no space to ignore the back and forth between characters in a scene that is all about the actions and reactions (however subtly written) between these characters - where as in a scene with bigger more theatrical scenes you can worry less about the timing of banter and wit, because you have huge moments and character shifts written in.
We worked on this reactive acting by starting with mapping out our characters and how they interact with each other. We wrote ways that our characters pushed against each other - and how these opposite characteristics were where we would see the most reactive points. We made Maria overly optimistic and determined to be great, do great, and not let anything get in her way of being a happy, effective governess -- while we made the captain doubtful of her success, annoyed with her optimism, and overall harsh and unforgiving.