Acting

The objective of drama school is to provide training for students who wish to become professional actors. The student is encouraged to develop and refine voice, movement, and physical skills, and to apply these skills to work on productions for public performance. Specialist classes may also be taught. Most schools, although by no means all, use Stanislavski-based teaching methods. In Europe, the Centre of Theatre and Dance Research, the Theatre School in Amsterdam, and the Lecoque School in Paris are examples of schools specializing in teaching physical theatre skills from a range of influences.

Although there are now fewer of them, repertory theatres formally provide actors with a professional start. One play is performed in one place while another is in preparation. Experience and exposure, although little, if any, payment, may be acquired working “on the fringe“—this can mean anything from performing in a small room above a pub to a marketed enterprise in a small “studio” theatre. The theatre establishment in Britain is the subsidized theatre of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. West End theatre holds a similar status but is a commercial enterprise.

Acting is a profession that is chronically overpopulated and highly competitive. With well over 90 per cent of the profession unemployed at any one time, the aspiring actor must be prepared for the possibility that much time may well be spent “resting” (the theatrical euphemism for being unemployed). Most actors sign with an agent, as employers generally prefer to deal with them rather than directly with the actor. Agents deal with the business side of the actor’s career, and determine how much their client is paid, and their status in a performance (“billing”, from an actor’s place on the bill advertising the performance). The percentage an agent takes varies from job to job. It is a minimum of 10 per cent of the actor’s fee. In cooperatively run agencies each actor acts as an agent for fellow members.

Employers who think an actor might be suitable for a particular role may ask him or her to audition. This process can take many forms. At an audition for a theatre role the actor may be asked to perform a pre-prepared piece or pieces; sight-read; sing; or even improvise. For film and television work the actor may be asked to do a screen test which is an audition for the camera. If the audition is successful the actor accepts the role and a contract will be drawn up.

The amount of time spent in rehearsals varies. In the theatre there is generally a three-week rehearsal process for a full-length play. However, in the case of a devised piece, a longer period of time may be necessary. In television production far less time is allocated to rehearsals. Where there is text involved, the rehearsal period usually begins with a read through with all parties present. The actors may already have spent time researching their parts and learning their scripts.

Rehearsals are conducted by the director. The director’s role in the theatre varies. He or she might be the initiator of the entire piece or have a relatively superficial role. Usually by the time the play goes into rehearsal the director will have already had a great deal to do with the play. He or she may well have chosen the play, cast it, and made important decisions about how it will be performed. The director works closely with the producer, who is responsible for the business side of the production and, as such, may have a say in the casting.

For information on Eastern acting styles, see Japanese Drama; Chinese Theatre; Classical Indian Drama.