Need to smoke for a play, need starter tips?

Question

I recently got a part in a play where my character has to smoke. A part in the script requires her to inhale for a very long time, mutter the word 'no' then exhale. This is going to call for some experience. I don't smoke, and I'm sure there's no way to fake this. Is there a very light type that I can start with? This is strictly for a play so the quickest shortest way possible is ideal. I know it's bad for you, but I need to keep my word. Thanks in advance

Answer 1

You can give the illusion of inhaling without actually inhaling into your lungs.

Take a drag and make sure you only take smoke into your mouth (vs your lungs).

Close your mouth and let some smoke out through your nose.

When you say no, enough smoke should still be in your mouth so some flows out when you speak.

I am a smoker and can tell when someone is faking it.  Usually when someone is just "posing"... trying to look cool, the smoke they exhale is more dense and white.

When a smoker exhales, the smoke is less dense and more transparent.

The only thing I can compare this too is taking water into your mouth without swallowing.  Come on.. most of us have gone swimming and took some water into our mouths so we can spit it at someone (kids at play).

Answer 2

What you need to portray is a smoker. You do not need to smoke in order to do this role. You need to focus on the gesture of smoking. You should observe smokers in the world around you. How does a smoker lit a butt? How do they flick the ashes? How do they extinguish? How quickly do they smoke? Do they chain smoke? Observation will be your ally. Practice with something other than a cigarette. Cut a piece of paper and roll it up to the dimensions of a cigarette so that you have a prop to work with. If you spend the time with the prop you wont need to spend a lot of time with the real cigarette. Become believable in your actions. You dont need to inhale to portray smoker, you need the mannerisms.

Remember acting is about playing other perspectives in life. You dont need to be g*y to portray a g*y character. John Travolta isnt a woman but he is in Hairspray.

Answer 3

there are fake cigarettes... i have a friend that is using them for "Greace" Just use those...

Answer 4

Marlboro lights are pretty weak. You will still have to practise though. Watch others in a relaxed setting to see how we hold them and how often to flick the ashes off.If they still choke you you can get a pin and poke a couple of holes near the filter. This leak lets more air in than smoke.

Answer 5

Where does one go to get cast in a role where smoking is not only ALLOWED inside the theatre, but required in such a manner that an appropriate substitution cannot be found?

Anyway, Edg1 has an excellent answer for you. Heed her advice. As to the comments made by others about not smoking...I'm sure you already know that smoking is bad for you. I started smoking at age 18 for a role in a play (smoking was far less socially unacceptable back in the day). I could have -- and should have --  quit at the end of the play. But at that time, smoking was well-tolerated, and I felt that, as an actor, I could easily get cast in other parts that required me to smoke, so best to continue, just so I wouldn't have to "re-learn" the art. 26 years later, I was finally able to quit, with help from the patch. I'm not saying don't do it...I'm just saying that you can probably smoke for the tech week and performance period, then quit with little difficulty. If you know a trap is there (addiction) you can take steps to avoid it.

Break a leg!

Answer 6

Your situation is exactly how I started smoking!

You are right, there is no way to fake it. Nothing looks worse than a non-smoker faking smoking on stage...it stands out like a sore thumb.

My advice is to talk to your Director or another cast member or friend and put yourself on a strict daily allotment of cigarettes. Start smoking enough that you can do it convincingly (you will need to decide exactly how many cigarettes this means) and have someone give you those cigarettes AND NO MORE! Also get those around you to keep up negative reinforcement about your smoking. You do not want to get hooked, believe me.

Another thing to keep in mind is that smoking is going to have an effect on your voice, so do plenty of extra vocal warm-ups and use whatever method is best for you to keep you vocal cords clear.

Break a leg!

Answer 7

eww I wouldnt do the play. smoking is nasty.

Answer 8

This is one case where I'd have no worries about breaking my word. If forced to do it, I'd hold the lit ciggie and not inhale at all.

The danger with practicing to smoke properly, including inhaling, is that you could easily get addicted. I've heard of dying for your art, but ...

Answer 9

Maybe in your play you can use a pipe instead?

instead of using real tobacco use cofee beans.. Lol.

Answer 10

truthfully, i think i would just keep trying for another part in another play, smoking is highly addictive.  i recently found out i have COPD which is almost always caused by smoking.  i can't walk 40 ft without resting and breathing like im dying and im only 48.  i wish i had never started smoking and i urge you not to do this.  the risks are just too great.  i mean really just don't take a chance.  this play could not be that important, even if it boosted you all the way to the top, is it worth your health.   Im sure there are ppl who will tell you how to ready yourself for this, they probably already have while im writing this.   Just don't smoke, plz. The life you save could be your own.

trying to figure out why someone would thumbs down this answer unless just ignorant or just being a jerk

Allora: I'm definitely 48. because i can speak a little chat talk i must be young.  are you trying to say no one over 40 can relate? we didn't get this old and learn nothing.  maybe you'll be smart too when you grow up.

Answer 11

I have a couple of questions. Is this community theater? College? High School? Depending on the venue and location, open flame is rarely allowed on stage. I realixe that once lit, a cigarette may not constitute that, but that's the least of it.

   In not knowing your age, I'm curious. What is your age?

   Finally, with all due respect you should decline. Actually the director should have worked around that scene, or re-written it. The effect may be as offensive to an audience as it will be to you. This is the real world, and you're a big girl now, so I think it's time to make choices that work for you.

   I'm also as confused about, "I gave my word"?????????

Sorry but you're wrong to do this,,,and I'm a smoker saying so.

Just my 2 "scents"

ADDED THOUGHT.  In reading the answers I see a lot of thumbs down for giving you the same advice I did. Did you thumb them down? If so, why?

Answer 12

There are wonderful prop cigarettes you can buy that have red foil at the tip that look like the cherry when they catch the light, and they have talcum powder in the tip that you actually blow on (instead of inhaling) that look like smoke.  They were recently used on Broadway by a non-smoking actor.

http://www.thatrestlessmouse.com/product...

http://www.epartyunlimited.com/puffcigar...

As far as the "part in the script requires her to inhale for a very long time, mutter the word 'no' then exhale", you're the actress, you and the director can make the moment just as moving without actually inhaling.  Another production's take on the scene does not require you to play it that way.

Answer 13

That's exactly how I started smoking too!

Try Pal Mal's first,it's the filters that are so addicting.

Answer 14

chew anti smoke gum after u puff or watever

Answer 15

talk to the director about.. maybe you could get a fake cigarette,

or there are ways to fake it you just need to talk to the director and tell him/her you uncomfortable with it, i know i would be.

Answer 16

Tamboz can't seriously be 48.

She wrote

ppl

plz

etc..

Anyways, I suggest you "act" like your smoking.

It's a play, not even a movie.

Not many people are going to even be able to see the smoke if you did smoke, for real.

I suggest you talk to the hiring manager/director again and explain your situation, and explain that you are not a smoker, and you don't intend to put your health at risk, when you can act it, PERFECTLY.

Answer 17

Uh... Don't.

No play is important enough to have your health compromised.