Get A Life ... Offstage!

When you make an entrance to begin a scene, do you know where your character is coming from? In other words, are you aware of what has been happening to your character right before you enter? This is called an "offstage life." Just because your character isn't onstage, doesn't mean nothing has been going on for them either.

The next time you are at a show watch for this. See if actors are simply entering and saying their lines or do you get the feeling that when they enter, they have actually come from some place?

Offstage life really is the icing on the cake for a character and adds to how much the audience will believe in your acting.

Is this something you have thought of? If so, then you need read no further. Congratulations!

If offstage life is something new for you, here is a simple exercise to practice with. In front of a group, have someone whisper to you a situation you have just come from. Like- "a funeral" or "a wedding".

Next, step offstage and enter with that reality - but you may not say anything. You may only use body language.

Have the group see if they can guess where you have just come from. This will let you know either how to create an offstage life or how well you may be doing it already. Lines may indicate where your character has come from offstage, but not always! Body language and attitude will always indicate it. So practice and always be aware of it!

If you keep your character alive offstage then it will be truly alive onstage!

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