Acting

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Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play. Most early sources in the West that examine the art of acting (Ancient Greek: hypokrisis) discuss it as part of rhetoric.[1]
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Definition and history
* 2 Professional actors
* 3 References
* 4 Sources

[edit] Definition and history

The first actor is believed to be an ancient Greek called Thespis of Icaria. An apocryphal story says that Thespis stepped out of the dithyrambic chorus and spoke to them as a separate character. Before Thespis, the chorus narrated (for example, "Dionysus did this, Dionysus said that"). When Thespis stepped out from the chorus, he spoke as if he was the character (for example, "I am Dionysus. I did this"). From Thespis' name derives the word thespian.

Acting requires a wide-range of skills, including vocal projection, clarity of speech, physical expressivity, an emotional facility, a well-developed imagination, and the ability to interpret drama. Acting also often demands an ability to employ dialects, accents and body language, improvisation, observation and emulation, mime, and stage combat. Many actors train at length in special programs or colleges to develop these skills.
[edit] Professional actors
Further information: Actor and Drama school

Not all people working as actors in film, television or theatre are professionally trained. Conservatories typically offer two to four year training on all aspects of acting. Universities will offer three to four year programs, where a student is often able to choose to focus on acting, while still learning about other aspects of theatre. Schools will vary in their approach, but in North America the most popular method taught derives from the 'system' of Constantin Stanislavski, which was developed and popularized in America by Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and others. Other approaches may include a more physical approach, following the teachings of Jerzy Grotowski and others, or may be based on the training developed by other theatre practitioners. Other classes may include mask work, improvisation, and acting for the camera. Regardless of a school's approach, students should expect intensive training in textual interpretation, voice and movement. Applications to drama programs and conservatories are through auditions in the United States. Anybody over the age of 18 can usually apply to drama school.

Training may also start at a very young age. Acting classes and professional schools targeted at the under-eighteen crowd are offered in many locations. These classes introduce young actors to different aspects of acting and theatre from scene study to musical theatre. Aspiring young actors may or may not go on to study at a University or Conservatory program.
[edit] References

1. ^ Csapo and Slater (1994, 257); hypokrisis, which literally means "acting," was the word used in discussions of rhetorical delivery.

[edit] Sources

* Boleslavsky, Richard. 1933 Acting: the First Six Lessons. New York: Theatre Arts, 1987. ISBN 0878300007.
* Brustein, Robert. 2005. Letters to a Young Actor New York: Basic Books. ISBN 0465008062.
* Csapo, Eric, and William J. Slater. 1994. The Context of Ancient Drama. Ann Arbor: The U of Michigan P. ISBN 0472082752.
* Darius, Adam. 1998. Acting - A Psychological and Technical Approach. Kolesnik Production OY, Helsinki. ISBN 952909146X
* Hagen, Uta. 1973. Respect for Acting. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 0025473905.
* Hodge, Alison, ed. 2000. Twentieth Century Actor Training. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 0415194520.
* Marston, Merlin, ed. 1987. 'Sanford Meisner on Acting' New York: Random House. ISBN 0394750594.
* Stanislavski, Konstantin. 1938. An Actor’s Work: A Student’s Diary. Trans. and ed. Jean Benedetti. London: Routledge, 2008. ISBN 9780415422239.
* Zarrilli, Phillip B., ed. 2002. Acting (Re)Considered: A Theoretical and Practical Guide. Worlds of Performance Ser. 2nd edition. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 041526300X.
* Piven Theatre Workshop

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Categories: Acting | Role-playing