how can i get over my feeling of foolishness in order for me to act well?

Question

so i have an uncoming play in the next four months, for school, and i got the worst part in the whole play - i didn't put my name down for it but i was off school when i was given the part so i had no choice, and in no way can i back out (sadly...)

i have to be a stuttering boy obsessed with cowboys. i have to whip my gun out constantly and run and roll round all over the floor. i feel SO stupid doing it though, even when i put on the accent, at some stage i run around and imaginery tree for five minutes :|

jeeeez, what can i do to stop myself feeling so foolish? i feel like EVERYONE is laughing at me.

Answer 1

~a good actor can do any part. Do what the part calls for and dont worry about others think. Do your best at what you are given~

Answer 2

Woh, woh, woh - Great comedy part, so many famous comedians to look up to, what a lucky person you are getting such a big role?..................RUBBISH. Unless at drama school you don't go to school to be an actor although role play etc can be essential to education.What kind of school is this? I presume from your posting it is a play that is going to be put on for parents etc and you have rehearsals to attend in your own time? If this is the case nobody should be MADE take party. What is someone else dream can be another persons' nightmare as seems this is with you. You didn't even ask to be in it. You are not going to stop yourself feeling foolish, everyone is laughing at you but that is the purpose of the role you play and instead of feeling good about yourself as many would you feel foolish. That's fair enough we are all different. Talk to your teacher, parents or whoever and say simply you are not doing it. It is a different senario if it is just a class activity, rehearsing within the lesson time etc and unless an empathetic teacher could be difficult to get out of.

Answer 3

People are supposed to laugh at you. That is the purpose of the character. Look at David Arquette as Dewey in Scream 1. He had to act as dumb as dirt but smartened up in sequels. He took the part without knowing that there would be other movies in the franchise. You can play it straight or tongue in cheek (you know that they know that you know you are acting) but this breaks the trance people get into when they watch a play or movie.



I don't recognize this play which is very un-PC. Just act and enjoy. You put yourself into the part but you aren't the part. If someone teases you tell them you must be a very good actor to have them believe the character is you.



Now you know a consequence of being off of school for any reason. People get put onto committees in the same way.

Answer 4

Actors like Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Peter Sellers, the list is endless.. have played the fool in front of millions of people.



Think of it as a comedy part and imagine yourself to be the greatest comedian in the world. Plus the only way to play such a role is full on. Give it your all for the five minutes then , off stage, job done.



Break a leg as they say in the business.

Answer 5

I would draw my strength from the roll. It doesn't sound like the worst roll in the play at all to me. Look at all the greats who've taken on difficult roles such as yours. If you are an actor , even if it's just for the one play, then you can pull off anything. It's a strong roll and don't be ashamed to do it. Be an actor!! If you are really good, you could convince the audience you are Santa Clause, so go act!!!

Answer 6

It IS a foolish role, and people will probably laugh at you, but you know?? Thats your angle! MAKE people laugh at you! Use the laughter as your source of courage and inspiration!



On a side note, no one, no school, can FORCE you to do anything you dont want to do. 4 months is plenty of time for an under study to be subbed in. And if you were off, then someone else put your name down...tell the director and whomever else, they'll just remove you.



The only thing keeping you is fear, and pride. The only thing holding you back is fear, and embarresment. Since fear is a no-winner either way, which is more important to you...selfish pride, or a little embarrasing new-found experience?



Either way, you cant be forced. Just say you cant do it, or say you "wont". No one forces you but you.

Answer 7

you are probably too young to remember Red Skelton, but he acted out many characters that most of us would think foolish, and it made him a big star and huge success.



put all you've got into the character and make them laugh!!



Red Skelton could do a piece of bacon sizzing in a frying pan so you can make something of being a boy obsessed with cowboys