Why You Should Take Up Acting This Year

Acting could really make a difference in your university experience, and your life in general. It is an amazing opportunity to meet new people, socialise and put yourself out there without taking yourself too seriously. If you’re extroverted, it’ll feel like home. If you’re introverted, you’ll find a welcoming space where you can learn and meet people in a relaxed environment. It could be a life-changing chance to explore your abilities and challenge yourself, you’ll be surprised about how good you can get with a little guidance. Not to mention the skills you can pick up, such as public speaking. Just ask our friends from the Debating Society, many of them attended our classes and nailed last year competitions!

Every year the Drama Society runs Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced classes in acting and musical theatre – just choose the most appropriate level for you! For the Beginners classes no experience is required, and the first meeting will focus on improvisation to get you out of your shell.

For the most advanced actors, we can provide specific training in speech techniques and accents, focusing on the finishing touches to get you to the next level. We’ll go through facial expression techniques, getting your non-verbal communication skills down to a tee.

We also have a musical theatre track for the dancing (and singing) queens among our midst. Usually the spots fill up very quickly so if you’re interested please sign up for it as fast as you can, or you’ll miss out!

Every year we also put up some thrilling productions, usually 3-4 times a year. So, you can get a chance to get on stage and performed what you learned and show off to your mates. If you’re a member, you will also get 2 free tickets to give to your bffs.

THIS IS THE TIMETABLE FOR THIS SEMESTER:

MONDAY

  • Beginners Acting 7-8pm
  • Advanced Acting 8-9 pm

WEDNESDAY

  • Intermediate Acting 6-7 pm
  • Beginners Musical Theatre 7-8 pm

FRIDAY

  • Advanced Musical Theatre 6-7 pm

Each class is 5€ for members, please bring cash 😊

Don’t act like a fool, sign up now!

You already know us? Check out our tips to get your acting to the next level here.

Why Actors Should Have Their Own Websites

There are many tools in the actor’s bag of tricks: headshots, resume, monologues, a working telephone, and an email address. Now that it’s the 21st century, let’s add another indispensible tool to that bag: the actor’s website.

Three Reasons Why A Website Is Indispensable

  1. Do yourself a favor and type your name into Google right now. What comes up? If you don’t have a website, it’s probably not much. Maybe a review, maybe a few pictures. Now, did you know that almost 9 out of 10 people don’t bother looking past the first page of Google results? When a busy director or agent wants to find out more about you, those few bits of information are all they’ll be able to find. How are they going to get in touch with you? Having a website that gets to the top of Google (more on that in a minute) means you can control what those important people see when they need to know who you are.
  2. It can act as a great supplement to your headshot and resume. It’s costly and impractical to send more than one headshot, or send your reel or VO demo to EVERY casting director you submit to. Having a website means you can have many pictures, your reel, your VO demo, recent news, and upcoming events all in one place. You can even have a blog about your life as an actor to keep people coming back again and again to your site.
  3.  Lastly, it sends a signal that you’re serious about your career. Having a website (like having professional headshots done) costs money, so when people see that you have invested the money and time into getting an actor website, they’ll take you more seriously.

Now, having a website doesn’t immediately result in your website being the FIRST result in Google, but it will happen. Usually within the first few months, as you send it out to more and more people, and as you add more and more content, it will rise through the ranks and soon land on the first page, and maybe even the first result! I’ve had my own actor website for several years now and I’m happy to report that it’s the number one result when someone looks for me on Google! I’ve also designed websites for some actor friends of mine and they’re also getting up to the top of Google after only a few months. Unfortunately, if you have a really common name, it might be harder, but if people search for “john smith actor” it’ll usually narrow down the field enough.

There are lots of ways to get a website these days, although it can still be an intimidating experience if you’ve never done it before. But a quick search on the internet for “actor websites” or “websites for actors” will usually turn up several easy all-in-one solutions. A lot of them will have templates you can choose from, which is sufficient – paying for a unique, one-of-a-kind design is not a great use of money since people coming to your site are coming to see YOU, not how great your website design is!

By ActorPoint

How to Nail Your Audition from the Moment You Enter!

You’ve memorized your monologues and have rehearsed your songs over and over again. Your resume and headshot are in order and you’ve found the perfect audition outfit. Your job is done, right? Wrong! One of the most crucial aspects of any audition is how you present yourself in the actual audition room.

Here are some DOs and DON’Ts of how to portray your best self:

1. DO: Begin your audition outside of the audition room.
Many people believe your audition starts the moment you enter the audition room. I think your audition begins the moment you enter the building where the audition is happening! It is imperative for you to be respectful and courteous to everyone you encounter. Often, the people who check you in or escort you to the room work directly with the director or people behind the audition table. If you are polite and cheerful, they will certainly relay that to the people inside the room. Remember: you are happy and excited to be doing what you love – make sure they can see that.

2. DO: Take big breaths.
As silly as it sounds, people often to forget to breathe when they audition! It’s natural to get nervous and timid before performing. In order to keep yourself grounded, make sure you remind yourself to take huge breaths before, during and after your audition. It will clear your head and center you for your audition.

4. DON’T: Stare down the Auditors.
After you have introduced yourself and your audition selections, make sure to pick a spot on the wall above the auditors head to deliver your material. Never perform your pieces to them! The auditors want the freedom to look away from you and take notes about your performance. When you have finished your piece, it is appropriate for you to then make eye contact and thank them.

5. DON’T: Apologize!
No matter how well or poorly you think you did, never apologize for your audition! If you make a mistake, own it and move on. Often times, you have done a lot better than you believe and you don’t want to broadcast that you think you blew it.

6. DO: Have Fun!
It is easy to forget why you are auditioning in the first place. It is nerve racking and often tedious and stressful. Remember why you love performing and why you enjoy sharing your passion! It is clear to auditors when an actor is having fun and enjoying themselves. Make auditioning enjoyable by reminding yourself that it is just another chance for you to perform and share your talent with an audience.

By ActorPoint

12 Tips for Learning Lines

Here are twelve practical techniques for learning lines. These should be effective whether you are an actor, lecturer, speech-giver or storyteller. Good luck – and practise, practise, practise!
  1. Read the lines aloud. By speaking the lines you will hear them and they are more likely to stick.
  2. Ask a friend to help you. Friends can correct you on any mistakes you make, give you the cue lines and go back over any weak areas.
  3. Practise, practise, practise. This is the only way to make the lines stick. There is no such thing as a “photographic” memory. Everybody has to do this, even Kenneth Branagh.
  4. Little and often. Go over them first thing in the morning, a few times during the day and last thing at night.
  5. There are several apps which can help with learning lines. Here are some I have reviewed and recommend: With Line Learner you record all the lines including those of other characters and then listen to them leaving silent pauses to speak your own lines. With Rehearsal Pro you can upload a script and watch it scrolling by as you record your lines to listen to.
  6. Even if you don’t use an app you can make a recording of the scene with a tape-recorder or smartphone. Listen to it while you are shaving/washing up/driving (but keep your eyes on the road). It’s a good idea to leave gaps in the recording to speak your own lines.
  7. Move around while you are saying your lines. This has been scientifically proven to aid memory. The best thing to do is to act and feel the emotions of the character so that you are learning the meaning of the speech as much as the words. Or just for a change you can even do something entirely unrelated like juggling or sweeping the floor.
  8. Go for a drive or better still a walk. Walking and saying your lines can be quite relaxing (though beware of strange looks from passers-by).
  9. Learn the cue lines that lead in to each of your lines. Being prompt with your lines will give you and your fellow actors more confidence.
  10. As you say or read the lines, follow the thought pattern of each speech and the overall progression of the scene. Your lines are a part of the play. They don’t exist on their own.
  11. In rehearsals, listen to and think about what the other actors are saying. Don’t just concentrate on what you’ve got to say.
  12. Make a recording of the cast reading the script and use this to practise with so that you get used to hearing the other characters’ voices.

by David Farmer | Acting, Drama Tips, Features

Stage Fright Ain’t Your Enemy

How to conquer the stage and overcome your fears

Getting on a stage and opening your mouth can be terrifying, we’ve all been there, done that. But for some people it can be paralysing and extremely uncomfortable, limiting them as people and actors. For example, maybe you practiced for hours on end on a monologue and once on stage you can’t deliver.

If this happened to you, don’t fret, you’re not alone! You can follow these simple steps to get over your annihilating stage fright, just stick with us. 😊

Get over yourself

The audience won’t know the monologue by heart and if you make a mistake, just think about your overall performance. You’re there to get your message across and convey feeling, not to repeat words like a parrot. So, don’t panic and continue what you’re doing without looking distressed. It always works out in the end.

Focus on your goal

You’re there to provide entertainment, focus on your audience and what you want to communicate. You’ll conquer them in no time.

Fear is your friend

Stage fright is completely normal, and sometimes it gets the job done. It is a normal reaction and it gets your adrenaline up, essential element to deliver energy to the public. If you’re not scared, either you don’t care or you’re not giving 100%.

Don’t forget your support network

In our society everyone’s welcome and we are really committed to helping each other out. You’ll not be alone on stage, and you can always count on the other actors to jump in if you get too scared to speak. You should not depend on others though, just remember it’s a team effort and others are counting on you, too.

Think about the character

There are different acting methods, and everyone has its favourite, we know. Regardless of your chosen one, you should be able to get on stage thinking, breathing, moving and speaking like your character. So why not starting this process even before the beginning of your scene?

Last but not least – PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Every performance should flow naturally, but getting there requires time, dedication, and maybe a pinch of stubbornness. Don’t despair if you won’t be the best actor in the play, it takes time to refine the art of acting. You will see incredible improvement in little time if you put your soul into it.

If you still got doubts, check out our blog post How To Nail Your Audition From the Moment You Enter.

Drama Festival

The Drama Society is hosting it’s yearly drama festival and we’re very excited about it! Get ready for creative workshops, practical games and exercises in acting, performing and getting over those dreaded stage nerves!

Most importantly we will have an incredible array of actors, including Cillian Murphy who is well known for many of his roles such as  Peaky Blinders, The Dark Knight and Dunkirk. Evanna Lynch will also be joining us, she is mostly recognised for her role in Harry Potter. Last but not least we will have Liam Cunningham who is highly recognised for his role in Game of Thrones.

It is such a treat to have these actors who will be speaking about their experiences in the industry with a question and answer session afterwards. You don’t want to miss out!

The festival takes place on February 17th– 19thin Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College Dublin.

Timetable is as follows:

Monday February 17th @ 7pm:  Cillian Murphy

Tickets: Euro 10 
Booking: Tickets will be available on the door from 1 hour before performance time. 

Monday February 17th@ 7:30pm:  Workshop – Stage Nerves

Tickets: Free
Booking: Tickets will be available on the door from 1 hour before performance time. 

Tuesday February 18th@6:30pm: Evanna Lynch

Tickets: Euro 10
Booking: Tickets will be available on the door from 1 hour before performance time. 

Tuesday February 18th7pm: Workshop – Performing

Tickets: Free
Booking: Tickets will be available on the door from 1 hour before performance time. 

Wednesday February 19th6:30pm: Liam Cunningham

Tickets: Euro 10
Booking: Tickets will be available on the door from 1 hour before performance time. 

Wednesday February 19th7pm: Workshop – Acting Games

Tickets: Free
Booking: Tickets will be available on the door from 1 hour before performance time. 

Big thanks to our partners from the TV & Film Society that will be filming some of the workshops and talks!

Want more? Check out our blog post on Stage Fright here.

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started