So, those are my seven ways that theatre matters: it does no harm, expresses a basic human instinct, brings people together, models democratic discourse, contributes to education and literary, sparks economic revitalization, and influences how we think and feel about our own lives.

this means developing your audiences, staff and board AS WELL AS what is on stage”. True diversity at every level can help to break elitist barriers to theatre and attract new audiences.

Life Skills Learned in Theatre

• Oral Communication Skills.
• Creative Problem Solving Abilities.
• More than “Get It Done”
• Motivation and Commitment.
• Willingness to Work Cooperatively.
• The Ability to Work Independently.
• Time-budgeting Skills.
• Initiative.

Many students find that theatre helps them develop the confidence that’s essential to speaking clearly, lucidly, and thoughtfully. Acting onstage teaches you how to be comfortable speaking in front of large audiences, and some of your theatre classes will give you additional experience talking to groups.

The traditional parts of a play are usuallly identified as follows: Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and and Resolution. In terms of classical drama, the Introduction is essential in order to identify the characters and their relationship to each other.

Dramatic conventions

• slow motion.
• soliloquy (a solo speech by an actor that gives an insight into what they are thinking)
• adding narration.
• use of an ‘aside’ (when a character directly addresses the audience to comment within a scene)
• breaking into song (as in Musical theatre)
• using a chorus to comment upon the action.

develop a range of physical skills and techniques eg movement, body language, posture, gesture, gait, co-ordination, stillness, timing, control; facial expression; eye contact, listening, expression of mood; spatial awareness; interaction with other performers; dance and choral movement.

An acronym, PAIRS, can help you recall the five methods of characterization: physical description, action, inner thoughts, reactions, and speech.

When creating characters you need to consider the following:

• Voice: Does your character have an accent?
• Body language: This is what your character’s movements and way of using their body says about them.
• Facial expression: Does your character move their face a lot?

Being an actor requires a range of skills, including:

• Good stage, screen or vocal presence.
• The ability to enter into another character and engage with an audience.
• The ability to memorise lines.
• Good understanding of dramatic techniques.
• Having the confidence, energy and dedication to perform.
• Creative insight.

20 Signs You Were Destined to Become an Actor

• You watch a lot of movies.
• You find performing to be fun.
• You love studying.
• You dream about it.
• It’s not all about the money.
• You are inspiring.
• You have a lot of viewers on your YouTube channel.
• You are always concentrated.

How Can You Practice Acting By Yourself?

1. Record Yourself. The most common and the most popular method is to record yourself.
2. People Watch. Watching others is technically not something you can do by yourself.
3. Learn More. Read the books available out there on dramatics and acting techniques.
4. Practice Cold Reading.

“A shy person has a heck of an obstacle to overcome,” Susan Russell, assistant professor of theatre, said. “A reserved person, however, can most certainly be a great actor.” So if you’re shy, you’re probably too scared to audition for a few people, let alone get up on stage in front of an audience.