Acting Approaches
Characterization is anchored in relationships. Relationships with other characters, relationships with the space they are in, and relationships with the physical items around them. Understanding those relationships puts a character in the here and now of the play.
There is no such thing as an amateur. There are only unpaid professionals. (Credit for that one goes to Robert Allen Holder, my college professor and mentor.) Attitude toward your work affects the outcome.
Acting is messy and unpredictable and requires the actor (and acting teacher/director) to be willing to tackle different characters with different circumstances in different ways.
So instead of a stuffy essay about academic approaches, I thought a list of things I find myself saying to actors (and myself) might give people a better idea of who I am, both as an actor and a teacher of acting.
Character analysis usually begins with the words on the page, but sometimes it begins with a physical characteristic or a set of given circumstances around that character. No one set of tools works the same for every actor or every character. Sometimes it's outside-in and other times it's inside-out.
My job as an acting teacher is to give novice actors the tools to find their characterizations. Every tool won't work for every actor or in every situation, but having lots of tools to choose from will provide options.
Timing is almost impossible to teach, but one of my theatre professors could do it, and did. As painful as it was at the time, I do hear his voice in my head when coaching inexperienced actors.
It doesn't matter how well YOU understand a character if the audience can't see or hear you or if you can't allow the character to inhabit your body.
Critical thinking is crucial.
If you aren't interested in people-watching, you probably don't need to be an actor.
Versatility is the grand artistic goal, but specialization might earn you more money. HOWEVER, don't specialize too soon or you might miss out on something wonderful.
Passion for performance will carry you through difficult times.
You can put a screw in the wall with a hammer, or hit a nail with a screwdriver, but it makes the job much more difficult. Having the right tools in your toolbox makes a huge difference in how easily you can do your job. So even if a tool isn't the one you need all the time, when a particular job comes along, you'll be glad you have all the tools.
If you don't believe you are really that character, how do you expect me to believe it?
Be willing to take a risk and make bold choices.
Theatre is a collaborative process and a thoughtful actor is better prepared to contribute.
History is important. So is empathy. Those two things can help you build a believable, human character.
The four tools every actor has are the face, body, voice, and mind. When the use of the first three become instinctive, and natural you can focus on the fourth.
You will always bring a little of yourself to a character. If you're lucky, the character will bring a little something to you.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.