Becoming a Character: Your Voice, Body, and Face on Stage

Picture two actors both saying the exact same line: 'I have to go now.' The first stands tall, speaks fast, and taps a foot. She seems worried and in a hurry. The second slumps, speaks slowly, and looks at the floor. He seems sad about leaving. Same five words. Two completely different characters. That is the actor's superpower: you do not change the words, you change your voice, your body, and your face. In this lesson you will learn how to use all three.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to: - Use your voice's volume and speed to show a feeling - Change your posture and movement to become a new character - Use facial expressions the back row can read - Perform one short line three different ways

Your voice has knobs you can turn. Volume is how loud or soft you are. Pace is how fast or slow you talk. Pitch is how high or low your voice sounds. A giant might speak in a slow, low, booming voice. A tiny mouse might squeak fast and high. Try saying 'Come here' as a sleepy grandpa, then as an excited puppy owner. Your words stayed the same, but your voice made two people appear.

How you hold your body tells the audience who you are before you say a word. A proud king lifts his chin and squares his shoulders. A shy new kid curls in and makes herself small. A sneaky villain creeps low with quick steps. This is called physicality. Try walking across the room three ways: as a robot, as someone walking on hot sand, and as a superhero. Notice how your whole body, not just your legs, changes each time.

Your face is a billboard. Wide eyes and a dropped jaw show surprise. Scrunched eyebrows show anger or worry. A slow smile shows a happy secret. Because the audience may be far away, actors make their expressions a little BIGGER than in real life so even the back row can read them. Practice in a mirror: show surprised, then scared, then delighted, and hold each one for three seconds.