Silent acting in drama?

Question

why is it imortant in drama?

Answer 1

Everyone on stage has to pay attention to and react to what is going on or the audience may not get what is important.  In other words, silent acting is important so as not to distract from what is important on the stage.

Answer 2

it really helps the actor use their body to express what they want to say. for example: i was in a production of Sweeney Todd, and there is a scene where Sweeney finds out what happened to his wife. I was in the ensemble, and we used masks (therefore silent) for that scene and only used our bodies, and i think that it was the most powerful scene in the show. And i feel that i am a better actress because of that scene. you definately learn how to carry yourself and be expressive with your body.