acting MELODRAMAtically
Here are a slew of suggestions Melodrama actors. Consider this your crash course in being a Hero or a Villain!
Always Remember: That
in the first and final analysis - Melodrama is Essentially a Theatre of Emotions
A gesture
here, an inflection there. “Over the Top” facial and
physical expressions that you might typify as
sensational, sentimental or thrilling is what
audiences expect to see at an old west style
melodrama. The acting style brings an exuberance of
emotions rather than the more realistic motivations
we normally experience in life. And it's fun.
In Melodrama
every character, every action, every predicament
needs to stay true to their character. The good guys
are really good, and the villain is really bad …
that's just how it is. Happy endings are the rule
and the villain always gets what he deserves in the
end. Conflict, misadventure and desperation are
resolved at the very last moment, unexpected
revelations, unexpected twists or turns are all
ingredients of the successful melodrama.
On stage ...
the results of small actions taken are not
necessarily recognized, but the consequences are
foreshadowed to increase the tension inherent in the
play. It is not telegraphed but set up so that there
is some sense of expectation of what might occur.
The decisions that characters ‘might take' and
'might not' take are presented as possible
alternatives and the audience can envision.
As a result, when things
do not go as might be expected, the audience is
moved into a state of wondering of what might happen
next. The actors knowing what is actually going to
happen can help push the limits of audience
frustration and take them where they never thought
they would go and it can be a lot of goof family
friendly fun.
Exaggerated Melodramatic
Emotions
Since the
plot lines in melodramas are pretty much "black and
white" ... Villain versus Hero ... Evil versus Good,
the emotions are also very easy to determine from
the audience's perspective. Here is how you might
want to express them on stage.
Anger -
The actor's hands are both shoulder high … eyebrows
are pushed toward each other with the actor's face
in a grimace … hands in tight fists.
Fear
- The actor's face is turned to the right
side… eyes wide … with the right hand to the mouth,
fingers curled under touching the top of the palm.
Optionally both hands can come to the cheeks with
the fingers extended.
Love
(Male) - The actor's chest is held high
with his right hand crossing the chest and resting
over the heart - opening out to the right and his
loved one.
Love
(Female) - The actor's chest is held high
with her head cocked a bit to one side the opposite
leg goes out with foot pointed … hands under the
chin … fingers entwined and bent at the first and
second knuckles, hands then go out towards her
beloved with a broad beaming smile on her face.
Villainous
Scheming - One eyebrow up, the other down,
a grimace on the face and hands rubbing together, if
it is a really good plan, the fingers twiddle.
Villainous
Sneaking - Shoulders hunched over, one arm
raised to cover the nose on down, eyes free to shift
around the room, legs bent on the cross of the
stage. If you have one … twirl your black cape or
duster as you enter the scene.
Feeling
Overwhelmed - Chin up bringing the face to
look up, one arm dropped limp to the side, the other
hand open with palm towards the audience on the top
of the forehead. But don't be overwhelmed ...
purchase a HeroAndVIllain.com Melodrama today! You
will be so glad that you did.
Always remember that
Melodrama is an audience participation style of
entertainment and your villain may want to memorize
several dozen snappy “come backs” to the inevitable
heckler's remark. A list of these “Heckler
Comebacks” is available in Hero and Villain's
Website's FREE RESOURCES dropdown. Go ahead and
visit that page and explore all of the other great
resources available for both villains and heroes
alike ... we know you really want to!