1. MOMENT BEFORE EXERCISES
The goal is to answer the question: "What happened immediately before this scene begins?" The audience never sees the moment before, but they should feel its impact.
Exercise A: Walk Into the Scene
Using a scene or monologue. (Depending on the availability of a partner.)
Start outside the room.
Before entering, decide:
Reflect: "Could an audience tell something happened before the first line?"
Exercise B: The 30 Seconds Before
Silently act out the thirty seconds preceding a monologue.
Examples:
Exercise C: Emotional Carryover
Use one of these:
Observe how the moment before changes the performance.
The goal is to answer the question: "What happened immediately before this scene begins?" The audience never sees the moment before, but they should feel its impact.
Exercise A: Walk Into the Scene
Using a scene or monologue. (Depending on the availability of a partner.)
Start outside the room.
Before entering, decide:
- Where you came from
- What just happened
- What you need right now
- These ideas can be helpful
Reflect: "Could an audience tell something happened before the first line?"
Exercise B: The 30 Seconds Before
Silently act out the thirty seconds preceding a monologue.
Examples:
- Packing a suitcase
- Reading a rejection email
- Searching for a lost wedding ring
- Preparing to confess a secret
Exercise C: Emotional Carryover
Use one of these:
- You've just won a scholarship.
- You've just been dumped.
- You've just been caught lying.
- You've just received devastating news.
Observe how the moment before changes the performance.