Recently after an evening at the theatre where the audience laughed and enjoyed the show, actor AB said to me, “Once the audience started laughing, I just wanted to do more and more to make them laugh.” Although his response was natural, it is a dangerous approach to acting.
While we want the audience to respond with laughter, tears, or intense listening, it is a problem when we play to audience in an effort to generate those responses. When we do that we stop living honestly in the imaginary circumstances, we stop living off of our partners, and we stop reacting to what is going on onstage. Our performance is doomed because our intention moves from playing moments with our partners to getting responses from the audience.
One of the greatest joys of theatre is the response of the audience. The challenge as an actor is to not get so attracted and addicted to that response that you alter your performance with the goal of getting the audience to react to you. While the audience’s attention and laughter might feel good, it is as dangerous to your performance as an open flame is to a moth. So don’t try to make them laugh or cry, just stay connected to your acting partners, live honestly in the imaginary circumstances, and do your best work.
Eric Barr. All rights reserved
