West side story help

Question

i have just been cast the role of Anita in west side story..i need some help with how to go about my character...any suggestions?

Answer 1

Once your costumes arrive all your hard work will come together as if by magic!

Answer 2

I would watch the movie because Rita Moreno delivers an amazing performance. But learn the scripts and the the songs and make her your own creation.  

Answer 3

watch the film on you tube

Answer 4

Watch the movie.

Answer 5

Was Anita the one who sang America,mind you it has been a long time since I have seen west side story, might be wrong link, good luck in your role.

Answer 6

Hi.  I've worked in and on three different productions of WSS.

Just watching the movie will incline you to imitate an actress playing Anita.  This will further remove you from the character.  You have the ability to put your own mark on the part and possibly improve it by doing things differently.  Trying to incorporate emotions from your own life experiences will help here.  Anger?  Think about the first time you shared a secret with a friend, and found it was soon blabbed all over, etc.

To compare and contrast, studying the film will give you this Anita:

"He'll come home hot and tired, poor dear.  It doesn't matter if he's tired, as long as he's near"

The script version:

"He'll come home hot and tired.  So what?  Don't matter if he's tired, as long as he's hot!"

Passion and attitude and devotion to her man.

An important point is to try to get ahold of dialect tapes to study with.  An obviously phony accent will make it more difficult for the other players to play off of, and mess with (real life vs. fantasy) suspension of disbelief needed in the audience.

If you haven't had vocal training, a lesson or two at least would be a good start to ensure that projection comes from the diaphragm instead of the throat, improving both your pitch and projection.

Answer 7

i was just in west side story anita is a very fun charactar with a lot of additude

Answer 8

   I agree with all 1, 2 and 3, however both would be to your advantage. Part of the issue, certainly is to know the character, not strictly the actress in the film, BUT, also much of what happens will depend on Who is directing this, their vision, and how THEY want you to portray the character.

   Not many decent directors will let you stretch too far from what they want, or go so far as to suggest it's OK to make the character your own, with any embellishments. Obviously, in an Original, never before produced, they might be somewhat more flexible, but WSS has been done often, and probably best in the original on Broadway.

   Still, it can't hurt you to familiarize yourself on all fronts.  

Answer 9

shes fiery, rowdy, confident, seductive (in a loud way) and is described in most casting lists as Maria's saucy older friend

hope that helped =)

please help with my question now

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

Answer 10

Read the script, understand the character for yourself watching the film will only give you that actresses interpretationn of that character.