4 Have you ever imagined being a famous film star or a great stage actor performing to hundreds of people Perhaps you enjoy entertaining your friends or just like the idea of imagining you’re someone else If so learning to act can be a lot of fun ACTION CAMERA LIGHTS Look out for the exclamation marks too these boxes give safety warnings and other important advice Hints and warnings Boxes with a light bulb symbol contain handy hints for improving your skills Acting in a school play can be a great chance to wear silly costumes and make people laugh
5 Perhaps the first-ever actor was Thespis who lived in ancient Greece and performed in tragedies Because of him actors are often called thespians Before the late 17th century women in many countries weren’t allowed to act on stage SUPER FACTS Why Act If you’re a born performer with lots of energy acting is a great way of using your talents If you’re shy acting can help to build your confidence and speaking skills for example if you have to give a presentation at school Acting is a good way of making friends and can be great exercise too Types of Drama Actors aim to entertain but also to educate people or make them think perhaps about historical events social issues or why people behave as they do Some plays films and TV dramas are serious thrilling or scary Others are hilarious and some are quirky and thoughtful What kind of drama do you like This zany Spanish play about a wicked plumber and singing dancing bathroom fixtures teaches children not to waste water Many people need good speaking skills for example lawyers teachers and politicians Movie actors dream of winning Academy Awards nicknamed Oscars which are presented in Hollywood every year
6 2 Stand in a circle and take turns saying your name followed by an adjective that starts with the same letter or sound for example I am Scott and I am speedy Then act this out by running in place Everyone else then does their own speedy action Acting involves your whole body and mind You need to move and speak well and to focus on the character you’re trying to be Here are some great warm-up exercises to prepare your body and your brain WARMING UP Spend 5 or 10 minutes warming up at the start of every acting session It really helps Acting involves a lot of teamwork so do warm-up exercises in a group This helps you observe and concentrate 1 In pairs crouch low Slowly and gradually one person starts moving a part of the body like a hand while the other copies as if creating a mirror image Keep going trying to match movements so it isn’t obvious who’s leading Loosen Up First relax and forget about everything else in your life Next make sure you feel comfortable with other people in the group Play a game of tag dance to music or try one of these exercises I am Luke and I am lazy Take turns quickly without thinking much about what you’re going to say or whether you look silly
Word Warm-Ups Actors must speak clearly and loudly enough for everyone to hear Practice reading a poem or passage from your favorite book to the rest of the group Loosen up your mouth with tongue twisters or choose a simple word such as yes or no and say it in as many different ways as you can Voice Exercises If you’re nervous you may find yourself taking short breaths and gulping for air as you speak To avoid this do some controlled breathing exercises Yes YEEEES 1 Stand up straight Every time you breathe out try to relax a different body part Wiggle your shoulders relax your neck unclench your jaw and so on 2 Put one hand on your stomach Take a slow deep breath to make your stomach expand and push your hand forward Keep your shoulders and chest still Then breathe out slowly until all the air is gone Do this a few times 3 Next try making a gentle haaa sound as you breathe out Use one whole breath on this sound opening your mouth wide This exercises a muscle called the diaphragm which helps you draw air into the lowest part of your lungs This is a good way to make sounds without straining your voice Haaaa 7
