STREET THEATRE :: CONTRIBUTION BY MANJUL BHARADWAJ BACK
THE ACTOR REQUIRES
1. An actor must study and analyse the written role in depth. After an intellectual and emotional study of the character it should be given a psychological and physiological reality. The dialogues written by the writer, the relation with other characters, the discussion among other characters regarding this one- taking these into consideration and understanding the play in its entirely, understanding the relevance and raison d’etre of the character in that context. This would help the actor in successful characterization.
2. An actor must also study the mentally of the writer- what is the connotation/meaning of the words used by the character within dialogues.
A word is Replete with Four Fundamental Qualities
a. Objective
b. Message
c. Emotion
d. Expression
What is the objective in using a word? What message does it wish to convey? What is its emotional aspect? How to express it? This is the basic essence of acting.
3. The actor must also understand the mentality up of the director –how he/she interprets the character drawn by the writer and what is the expectation form the actor. It is important for the actor to know the mentality of the director since fitting the character in tune with other characters and giving them a reality of their own is the job of the director. If the actor understands the director his/her job becomes easier and effective. It helps in the portrayal of the role.
4. The actor must also study his/her own personality, his/her strengths and limits must be analysed so that there can be an identification with the character.
5. The actor must have the knowledge of certain things-
a) supervision
b) imagination
c) self-confidence
d) sensitivity
e) expression
f) commitment
g) experience
h) voice
I) language
j) Discipline
k) care
The actor must develop these qualities within himself/herself and toil to develop them. The actor is constantly discovering new things. To obtain the above given qualities, the actor must study his/her surroundings, society and world.
6. A street play actor must work on these qualities since he /she has to sustain the attention of people. Must keep them entwined by the character and the play. his/her must definitely be strong (louder than average) He/she must not only shout but live the character that is being played in front of crowd . With the help of imagination the actor conveys the feelings and emotions of the character. In a street play people see an exaggerated aspect of the art of acting, and this is the challenge that a street play must face.
7. The actor must note the venue of performance and the reaction of the audience. These have to be important criteria that govern the performance. For instance, if there are comments from the audience the actor must possess the presence of mind to answer them while playing the role without wandering from the play. So, the actor must have the creativity to enhance the effectiveness of the play even vis-a –Vis comments and complains.
8. If the play is interrupted by the audience or police, the actor must not be Caught unanswered and must not wander from the role. In fact rehearsals must take into account such contingencies, so that instead of being dumbstruck by such situations they provide the actor with a Chance for giving the play a positive direction. This is the challenge for an actor where his qualities are not merely exhibited in the imaginary world of cosy auditorium, but out in the living society.
9. The actor also needs such difficult training since he/she has to convey a message not through a speeches or slogans but through lively, alert and determined performance.
10. The actor also requires physical training so that depending on the need he/she can also use his/her body as a property to depict the required environment that can alert and awaken the audience to gather together and struggle as a people. This is especially true since it proves that the non-availability of resources cannot restrain struggle, imagination and organizing ourselves can help us ask for out rights and help us attain our goals.
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