Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/15 03:37I thought it would be interesting to see what acting and singing quirks many of us may share.
We could all share what ours are, maybe even offer each other ways to work on them if you consider them negative.
I'll post mine after a few posts Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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Flece
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/15 13:21I have a habit of scrunching my face when acting. I can't help it, though! My eyes are so sensitive to light right now. It hurts.
Relaxation, in general, is a big problem for me, though. Not just on stage, but in day to day life. Always being in slight pain will do that to you.
Singing-wise, it's hard to seperate the "quirks" from the bad technique right now, but my technique is coming back to me. I might have a better answer in several weeks.
Right now, I'm taking those shallow, audible breaths (like that kid who just got through to the top 24 on AI who had lost his voice and probably will again after his stint on the show because he obviously hasn't done anything to improve his technique), but have improved 50% at least.
I also tend to lean forward and reach with my neck. I've also managed to improve that by at least the same amount. It can't be doing anything for my pain, either.
Is this what you had in mind by quirks?Briana
Currently: Roustabout, "Side Show"
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mslexy403
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/15 14:22Less than a quirk, I always move too much! Whether it be in singing or acting, I am usually always in motion. My director always tells me that when you normally do these things in life, you don't always move around. Especially with breaking serious news. Singing wise, I always always smile. Even if the song is sad. It's good a lot of the time, but also bad sometimes too.
This is a fun thread!"If life seems jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten. And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing"
Currently: Nothing! So sad..
Favorite Roles: Cosette in Les Miserables
Dream Roles: Lady of the Lake (Spamalot), Val (A Chorus Line), Millie Dillmount (Thoroughly Modern Mille)
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itshairspray
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/15 15:11When I sing "Mamma Mia" from Mamma Mia, I have this weird thing were my head jerks to the side.
I also tend to forget to take my breaths while singing. I know how to but I forget at times and then it's uncomfortable.
Singing wise, I always always smile. Even if the song is sad. It's good a lot of the time, but also bad sometimes too.
I do too! I smile also when I'm supposed to be angry a.k.a. "Kids (Reprise)" in Bye Bye Birdie. Hah! I can't help it at times.Currently: Penelope Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
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Christine_wannabe
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/16 18:39My problem is when i sing i take too much air, my voice teacher always tells me not to be so anxious to take a breath. The funny thing is my problem use to be i didn't take enough breaths. I am super expressive and animated on stage (which is a good thing, i guess) so i tend to lift my eyebrows a lot, it kinda hurts your forehead after a while.Favorite Shows: POTO, Wicked, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, BATB, Music Man and more!
Currently in: R&H's Cinderella as a Stepsister!
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aliauthor
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/16 19:26mslexy403 wrote: Less than a quirk, I always move too much! Whether it be in singing or acting, I am usually always in motion. My director always tells me that when you normally do these things in life, you don't always move around. Especially with breaking serious news.
This is a fun thread!
OH MY! You are twins with this guy we did Les Mis- highlights with. He was Valjean, and when he sang 'Bring Him Home' he was moving too much. So the director told him to sing from his knees. He got on his knees and started walking on them! We couldn't get him to stop, it was hilarious.-Ali
Currently: -Sheila; Boys Next Door (postshow depression mode) -acceptance to acting ensemble -Bye Bye Birdie (audition- didn't get a callback)
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Jessica
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/16 19:45When I'm not alllowed to move when standing up and singing, I clasp my hands over my stomach. And NYSSMA is coming up so I have to kick that...fast. Also, I move too much when I can. Because I do school plays, I'll make the movements so sharp and big, even in the begginging, while everyone is just like 'yeah whatever' and I'll look ridiculous for a while lol. I usually get props from the director though.Jessica
Currently: Alice in Wonderland Jr. - Understudy for all characters
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elissa
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/16 21:48Sometimes when I try to smile when I sing, especially in a choir, my mouth makes this weird smirk. If I notice this happening, I will try and get the other corner of my mouth up, but it doesn't always work. And f I think about it too much while singing, I will start to laugh, because thinking about smirky mouths can do that to you. Past Productions: Chicago (Ensemble) Currently: Into the Woods (Little Red Ridinghood), Petite Rouge (Mama Duck)
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/16 22:10Flece wrote: I also tend to lean forward and reach with my neck. I've also managed to improve that by at least the same amount. It can't be doing anything for my pain, either.
OMG, I realised I do this all. The time. I'm trying to get myself to stop it, but it's difficult. But yeah, whenever I say a line, I'll stick my neck out, which I'm sure looks ridiculous. I think that this comes from trying to stay in my designated spot while cheating and looking at someone to the side of me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to break this habit...
I'd never had a singing solo until last year, so I've only recently discovered my singing "quirk"- I'll clasp my hands below my chin in that cheesy way. It's odd, because I'm aware of how unnatural and cheesy it looks, but I can't stop because I've no idea what else to do. Luckily for me, my solos have been historical role solos, so it fit, but I don't know what will happen when I get a contemporary solo. I can just see myself playing someone in Rent or something and doing cutesy gestures.
My other singing thing happens when I'm not onstage, but when I'm jut singing by myself, in the car or whatever- I sing with my hands. I just gesture constantly, but not like normal gestures- it's like I'm a conducter. I was happy to find, while warming up at college auditions, that I am not the only one who does this.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
Currently In: Nothing
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Melissa
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/16 23:38I always stand grounded. (Perfect singing posture) - I come from a choral & Classical background, so keeping in character for stance is really hard. I LOVE standing grounded. Once I get it, I am generally good, but it happens a lot. Not just in singing, but acting and real life too... My friends bug me that I "stand like a man" (aka. not with all my weight on one leg so that my hip juts out to the side....)
I also LOVE to talk and sing with my hands. too much. Because that is what I naturally do, but it looks awkward on stage, like I dont know what to do with myself, when that is how I am...
grrr... habits habits. Easy to form, EVIL to break!Lissa
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akrialet
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/17 00:02I usually end up closing my eyes when I sing. I don't know why, it just seems so natural! Also, I rarely realize I'm doing it. I also like to stand grounded, because that's how I was taught to sing. But, I think my most embarressing quirk is when I'm doing a big ending to a song, and my hands go up in the stereotypical way and then I snap them back down with the big finish. Yeah....very diva-esque. Micah--- [Not the boy who lives next door] Current Role: The Baker in Into the Woods!!!!!
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I'll naturally kind of put my hands together, because of my choral background (hands clasped). Also with my hands to my sides looking for very stiff, not as much anymore but it's something that I'll catch myself doing and I'll have to kick myself.
Also I have this thing with my eyebrows, where I tend to raise them up and down like crazy when trying to convey the text of a song, musical theatre or classical alike. It's super distracting .
I've had to practice in the mirror because they go crazy! I feel like my eyebrows have a mind of their own! But naturally it's not nearly as bad as it used to be, considering hard work and mirror training Haha!
akrialet: But, I think my most embarressing quirk is when I'm doing a big ending to a song, and my hands go up in the stereotypical way and then I snap them back down with the big finish. Yeah....very diva-esque
Another quirk of mine, that we most definately share akrialet! I just can't help but feel like I need to raise my arms up at a big finish of a song and just own it.
OH and my bottom jaw shakes a little when I get up to high notes, not that they're hard to reach but it's just been a habit that I'm slowly breaking out of.
Post edited by: brucecriesxout, at: 2008/02/17 03:03Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/17 09:22brucecriesxout wrote: Also I have this thing with my eyebrows, where I tend to raise them up and down like crazy when trying to convey the text of a song, musical theatre or classical alike. It's super distracting .
I've had to practice in the mirror because they go crazy! I feel like my eyebrows have a mind of their own! But naturally it's not nearly as bad as it used to be, considering hard work and mirror training Haha!
I once read this interview with an actress (don't remember who it was), but she said that the director asked her to not move her eyebrows at all. I think that would be so hard! After I read that, I tried to do a scene without moving my eyebrows and it was impossible! I can't imagine getting really into a scene and then the director going "That was great... but you moved your eyebrows."Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
Currently In: Nothing
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Melissa
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Re:Acting and Singing Quirks! - 2008/02/17 11:59I just thought of another one. When I'm done singing, I always hold completely still for a couple seconds (You wait a couple seconds in any classical solos or in choir to extend the feelings of the song) It works in some cases, but normally not. And it looks stupid to.
its kinda like - I LOVE YOU! lalalala Bah blah blah... *dead silence* (spoken) and so he said to me....
okay so that may not make sense, but it does to me.Lissa
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I am super expressive and animated on stage (which is a good thing, i guess) so i tend to lift my eyebrows a lot, it kinda hurts your forehead after a while.
