Theatre: Art in Action

Chapter 10: Acting

Overview

Actors can hone and develop their craft in many interesting types of theatre. In Reader's Theatre, vocal interpretation is critical because movement and gesture are generally minimized. When actors work on their movement, whether it is realistic or stylized, they may draw inspiration from observation as well as from other art forms. Mime is a silent form of acting in which expression and movement thrive. Stage combat is an athletic and difficult endeavor that should be thoroughly choreographed. When creating a voice for a character, actors may use an accent or a dialect. If they do, they should practice the accent or dialect in order to sound authentic. When actors are working to craft a presentational style, they might take on the challenge of acting in a mask. Film and television acting requires a slightly less "staged" kind of performing but often requires as much if not more honesty than stage acting. Performance art and other multimedia art forms combine a number of media to create a dramatic effect.