Im looking for a comprehensive list of daily exercises for actors.

Question

The same way a musician practices his scales over and over again, or a dancer practices the same stretches and routines, and fighters practice the same moves...

I need a list of daily activities that sharpen and maintain an actors skills. All of them, if possible. So, anyone here able to help me with that? Thx in advance.

Answer 1

acting is kind of different from music and fighting.  you can't really "practice" the same way, in my opinion.

during a warm-up for acting you should make sure you are concentrating on both the body and the voice, incorporating an emotional connection with each.  stretch the same way you would before a dance class or PE class.  just whatever basic stretches you want to do, to get all the tension out of your body.  stretch all leg and arm muscles, do yoga poses if you choose, do a spinal roll.  an actor's warm up is different for each person because it is whatever YOU feel you need.  do deep breathing in preparation for vocal.  massage or move the jaw to release tension.  hum in scales up and down.  do tongue twisters, focusing on accenting consanants and speaking with good diction and an accentless voice.  you then can move into working on whatever monologues or scenes you need to, and your approach to this depends on what the work calls for and which methods you are familiar with.  if you need a book to read for the serious actor, look at uta hagen or stanislavski to start.

it is difficult to list "daily activities" to improve your skills.  you really need to be in a class with a teacher to really move forward.  always read monologues and things aloud as much as you can, people watching is good for sharpening your observation skills, and keep the physical and vocal muscles warm.