Does anyone know good acting exercises?

Question

I've seen this kind of question, but never really good answers. I want a specific answer, for example "pretend to take a shower" because otherwise it's hard for me to understand the exercise. I'm new to acting, so any other beginner tips would be helpful too. :) Thanks

Answer 1

I am kind of always looking for new ways to improve my acting too, but some things that I do is that I make up my own monologues and incorperate another character so that you can actually see interaction when you are saying your part.

Answer 2

- Well, first you need to follow direction. A great acting exercise for this is to memorize a monolouge and perform it in front of friends or family. Then have them tell you things you can do differently, do the monolouge again.

-Next, always rehearse in front of a mirror, so you can see what you look like.

- Alot of tounge twisters help, as website for them is www.geocities.com/Athens/8136/tonguetwis...

-Strech your mouth muscles and repeat monolouges s-l-o-w-l-y.

Here are some websites:

www.theactingwebsite.com/acting-and-si...

http://theater.about.com/od/actorsinform...

Answer 3

Memorize long speeches from Shakespeare are recite them out loud.  Otherwise, just be in plays. That is the best thing to do.

Answer 4

If you are ever home alone, you can pretend to be a different person. I know it sounds cheesy, but it can help.

You can also simply stand in front of your mirror practicing of what you would look like if you were really excited, really sad, angry, crying, etc. You could write down things that would show your emotions. example: excited: eyes wide open, always smiling, mouth open etc, then put them into action. I hope I helped in at least the smallest bit. :)

Answer 5

So do you mean exercises that a single person can do?  Ever see the British version of Whose Line Is It?  As funny as it is, their 'games' are actually brilliant exercises for an actor.  A single person can always find a task 'to do'.  Take the shower, peel an orange, make coffee, etc.  There is diction to work on, where using passages from Shakespeare are invaluable.  Keeping a journal of observations that are specifically for 'character' information.  Take a task and perform it 13 different ways.  Each one must say something about the 'character' of the person performing the tasks.  (The famous Ralph Richardson example of hanging a hat on a hatrack 13 different ways.)  Breathing exercises.  Develop your diaphragm.  Learn audition pieces.  Every actor should have at least ten monologues that they can perform at any given audition at the drop of a hat.  A questionable exercise is using the mirror (more for film) and learn to control your facial muscles.  You can also 'project emotion' into one.  Really look at yourself and do you look real?  As in honest?  I'm not fond of that one especially.  Practice listening/reacting by getting friends to read a scene with you, and concentrate on your listening/reacting.  Read Charles Dickens aloud to develop the 'storyteller' aspect of the actor.  Go to the museum and pick a painting, then write a story or biography about it.  Pick a character in one them and try to 'dress' like them for a day and see how it affects you.  Viola Spolin has wonderful exercises in her books.  Cicely Berry's book called An Actor Prepares is advanced, but excellent.  It's great that you're looking for things to develop your instrument!  Good luck.