I was reading through an excellent theatre blog -- theatrefolk.com, which I will profile in another post -- and came across some great tips for helping theatre beginners to look each other in the eye during intimate scenes. These were put together by teacher Haley Salitros of Lincoln High School (Vincennes, Indiana) as a part of a Theatrefolk contest called Write and Win. Write and Win is an opportunity for US and Canadian high school teachers and students to enter their best tips and win free plays and/or a subscription to the Script Bank. It's over now, unfortunately, but its a fantastic way to learn about theatre from the perspective of those who teach beginners or are beginners themselves.

Haley's theatre tips for eye contact are broken down into three steps:

...read more

The title of this post may have you thinking "what the hell...?" -- but I promise you, this isn't about morbid or emo thought patterns for the jaded. This is about conducting ourselves as professionals, especially in a field like acting, where emotion is the stock and trade. This is about getting the job done (and getting it done well) in spite of ego, how we feel about the parts we're playing, whether the job will pay the rent, or how much or little talent the person opposite us has.

Nobody in the audience cares how we feel about these things. Nobody in the audience cares about actors one way or the other -- except for how well we show ourselves in the parts that we're playing. They expect us to be nothing less than the person we are committing ourselves to portray. For them, not us.

...read more

If you are an actor or theatre aficionado -- scratch that -- If you are a person, there are two short videos on YouTube that you simply must watch. They are a combined approximate of 16 minutes, and they will impress you, tickle you, and inspire you at your very core. 

In just those few minutes, Patsy Rodenburg -- renowned teacher who has worked with some of the biggest names in both theatre and film (Helen Mirren, Ian Mckellan, and many more) -- will paint a picture of why theatre is so vital to us, as people, and open a door to a way of life -- of being -- that is both empowering and sustaining.

...read more

Like any culture -- especially those that have so much riding on display of their craft -- theatre is awash in superstition. There are so many things that can and do go wrong with each show, from the minuscule to the devastating, and even deadly. Some of these things would occur seemingly without rhyme or reason, and many seemed to happen as a direct result to some common trigger. People needed to find ways to counteract them. And so they did -- perhaps in strange ways at times, but who cared, as long as the bad didn't happen?

It's important to be aware of these superstitions when working in theatre. If you're not, you could find yourself on the wrong side of some very unhappy people. Here are three of the most common: 

...read more

Special effects are not something unique to movies, or even our time. Sure, they have gotten a lot more spectacular over the years (I remember Phantom of the Opera having flame throwers back in 1990), but there are several "tried and true" effects that have been around since ancient times -- some since the very inception of theatre. They may not have the flash-bang-singe-your-eyebrows effect that we expect today, but they get the job done, often cost next to nothing to accomplish, and add nuance and magic to the telling of tales.

Here are five of the best, as outlined by About.com:

...read more

Let's face it: the days of the flyer are numbered. Yes, yes, there is still merit in posting playbills and other paper ads on every telephone pole, bulletin board, and blank piece of wall you can find, but the social media takeover and the rise of hyperlocal online advertising has put a lasting dent in that model. Why? Even guerilla tactics can be costly when they're paper-based (other than time, social media can be done for free), and the rise of social + the smartphone has pushed even the average "Joe" to go digital. And why wouldn't they? Since the beginning of trade, people have relied on word of mouth recommendations from their networks to establish trust in products and the people that sell them -- social media is essentially a worldwide, but also extremely local, word of mouth engine.

Yes, the flyer is approaching the end -- at least in its traditional form -- but it's not dead yet. In fact, there are several ways that you can utilize offline marketing tactics to help you build and grow your social, online community. 

...read more

Theatre tips and tricks are a broad topic and can cover everything from acting tips to stage lighting. In our blog profiles, we try our best to find sites that help you quickly discover tips in every aspect. So far, we've been light on the more practical visual elements of theatre like set design, make-up, props, and other production and staging techniques. Today's post is the first of several that will focus solely on those oh-so-important aspects of a great show, starting with a site that is all about community theatre:

Community Theater Green Room  

...read more

If you're looking for a fantastic and comprehensive resource to get started in or navigate the Vancouver acting world (and the Greater Vancouver Area, by extension), then you are going to want to want to take a look at the Vancouver Actor's Guide. The Guide is a free website that has been around since 1998, has a ton of great information, links, and is home to an active, near-2300 member community forum that can help you get your questions answered.

Check out the highlights of the site, below:

 ...read more

Little things often affect what we do in large ways. It's not because they have any innate power of their own, or even that they (often) combine to shake the earth that you walk on. It’s because small things are always indicative of larger works in progress, and we are actively looking for those indications. They resonate with us.

Take, for example, a previously happy married couple who are now bitterly angry over backward toilet paper rolls and improperly squeezed toothpaste. Are these things truly the cause of their unhappiness with each other, or are they simply indicators that show a larger lack of respect for each other's feelings, and an inability to effectively communicate?

What about that small twitch of the mouth or subtle way of moving that seems to signify a character? Obviously, the affectation doesn't really define that character -- there's no detail there, no meat -- but it is a strong indication of who he is and what he's about. There’s a story there, and it gives us gut feeling about what to expect from that person; it makes us want to know more. The simple fact that the quirk stands out hits our body language translators like a fist, turning that small, potentially insignificant thing into a beacon that can make for a truly electrifying performance.

...read more

One of your most precious resources as an actor, singer, or presenter is your voice. It must be protected at all costs, and properly maintained -- otherwise, you may find yourself taking a backseat to your understudy, or worse, unable to properly connect with your audience. Like any other part of your body, the voice can be devastated by improper and extended use, and it is often the most natural of activities, like talking, that will cause the most strain. 

To make sure you are always able to get the most out of your voice, follow the principles and techniques below. 

...read more

Stage lighting, when done right, can set the mood and tone throughout the theatre, playing on your audience's emotions, and powerfully driving your show or event forward. When done right. Lighting is not something you can play by ear if you plan on going for the maximum effect. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a lighting technician -- and even if you can, do you know enough about how lighting works to understand what it is that technician is doing, at least from a high level? Can you direct him or her? Maybe not.

If you want to learn about stage lighting techniques, the On Stage Lighting blog is one of the best resources out there.

...read more

Finding the right venue for your event is crucial to success. This holds true whether it's a family get-together, theatre production, recital, wedding, conference, or anything else you want to result in a gathering of people. Much of the time, a good stage is exactly the home you need -- which is why, in January, we talked about five of the most important things you need to look for when you rent a theatre. That list was just the beginning, however.

Here are five more things to look for: 

...read more

Continuing in our quest to provide a most excellent resource for all things theatre and the performing arts, we present our latest Blog Profile:  the Playwrights Foundation Blog. The Playwrights Foundation is a US organization that offers support in "the inception and development of new plays." Their programs are, unfortunately, for US-based playwrights, but the information on their blog is open to all -- and is often surprisingly funny and all 'round entertaining to read.

While the Playwrights Foundation Blog is not the how-to resource one might hope for, it is a fantastic depository of musings, experiences, and anecdotes from the minds and lives of many, many playwrights; many of whom are also instructors. It is also home to several years worth of interviews with playwrights that are/were up and coming and well-established, both. There is much to be gained from reading between the lines of the posts, not the least of which is inspiration.

...read more

Forgetting your lines during an audition or a theatre performance is a sure step toward extended bouts of self-recrimination. It's a horrible feeling, and one that brings with it enough stress that it can compound on itself, causing even the words you were sure you would remember to melt from your mind as you slowly spiral into nose dive that ends with your performance crashing and burning -- sometimes quite impressively. 

Thankfully, there are techniques that you can apply to help you ingrain those elusive words into your very being.

...read more

Taking photographs of a theatre performance can be a challenge. The lighting is dark and meant to create a mood for a live audience, not your camera -- and flash photography is disruptive to performers, whether they be community theatre up-and-comers, or seasoned professionals of stage and song. There is also a lot of area to cover, and the subjects of your photographs are often in motion. Like I said... a challenge. The good news is that the techniques that professionals use to catch that perfect, clear shot -- the kind that defines a performance and graces portfolios -- can be boiled down to a some best practice tips.

...read more

There are many, many, MANY resources online that are meant to help you become better at your craft, whether that craft is acting, writing for the stage, public speaking, dancing, orchestra and theatre management, directing, or any other facet of the world of stage performance. In our quest to become one of those resources, we have been scouring the web and our bookmarks for some of the more interesting and specific blogs and sites that we think may benefit both our general readers and those who rent our theatre. To that end, we present the Blog Profile series, where we will provide you with links to, impressions of, and information on some of those sites. Opinions and ideas are welcomed and encouraged!

For the first in this series, we profile a good read for theatre directors and all others involved in Arts Management: Butts In the Seats.

...read more

Confidence is a lot of smoke and mirrors when it comes right down to it. Everyone gets nervous. Everyone cares, at least to some degree, about what others think; how others see them -- especially when performing something that is truly important to them. When you see someone on stage, in the midst of the performance of their life, you can make a safe bet that person is -- or at least was -- afraid. It's entirely natural, and the best performers are no less human than you are.

How do they do it, then? How do they appear so calm, so cool? How, exactly, is it that they can command such attention from their audience, captivating them sometimes to the point of awe? Can it be learned? Is there some sort of trick to it?

The answer to both questions is yes -- and where tricks are concerned, there are many. Here are five of the most important of them:

...read more

If you are putting together a show or conference, you already know to look for a rental venue that is accessible to your core audience -- but when renting a theatre for your production, how do you narrow down all of the local possibilities? You know you can't just take a shot in the dark; you've put too much work into your performance or presentation to have it blow up in your face by choosing the wrong venue. This is important!

Thankfully, no matter how many personalized specifics you may have for your stage event, there are five core things you can look for that will help you find the right theatre rental for you.

read more...

In so many ways, the stage is a microcosm of life. Things are amplified there, which is why even the most seemingly confident person can drown in their own insecurities. Stage fright -- also known as performance anxiety -- is one of the most common conditions in our society. It can be utterly debilitating, and can occur outside of traditional theatre, in any situation that requires you to give something personal of yourself in front of others.

Here are a few tips to help you deal with stage fright:

 read more...