The Ethical Acting Technique - Overview Pt 2

The next steps have to do with breaking down the role from your viewpoint.

Steps 4-10 assist the actor in defining the character, and in the creation of ACTOR’S CHOICES, ideas you will apply toward the playing of your character. This work should be completed BEFORE you ever have a rehearsal, along with the memorization of your role.

STEP FOUR – DETERMINE HOW YOUR CHARACTER SEES HIMSELF
- Read the play looking at only what your character DOES.
- Read the play looking only at what your character SAYS ABOUT HIMSELF.
- Decide based on the info HOW THE CHARACTER SEES HIMSELF.

STEP FIVE - DETERMINE HOW OTHER CHARACTERS SEE YOUR CHARACTER
- Read the play looking at only what other characters DO about your character.
- Read the play looking only at what other characters SAY about your character.
- Decide based on the info HOW OTHER CHARACTERS SEE YOUR
CHARACTER.

STEP SIX – DECIDE WHO YOUR CHARACTER REALLY IS
- Add up steps 4 and 5. Decide what kind of person your character REALLY is.

STEP SEVEN - CLEAR UP ANYTHING YOU DON’T FULLY UNDERSTAND
- Look for any action, any character, any scene, ANYTHING about the play you
feel you don’t fully understand.

- GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED! The following ways in order:
- Restudy the script to find what you missed. If you STILL have words
you don’t understand, clean them up!
- Whatever you still don’t get, read any essays the author or others have
written about the piece.
- Ask the writer, if available, for answers.
- Ask the director, if available.
- Ask other actors, if available, in the production.
- Read other works by the same writer, looking for TRENDS in his writing
that may explain what you’re looking for.
- LAST RESORT- Make up answers, based on the best available info.