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DuchessCherryFlower

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Chorus Member

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Bat Boy: The Musical - 2006/12/17 21:53 Hey everyone,

I'm a *very* new user and I was wondering if you could all offer me some help.

This fall I auditioned for Bat Boy: The Musical and initially went after the role of Shelley, but I got called back as Meredith and then got Meredith. I absolutely love the role with all within my little being but...now I don't know where to go from there. I've done character analysis, looked at what's being said about my character by other characters, what I say about myself, some key actions, changes in personality, and researched the background into the play. But I'm still left a little uneasy as how to approch this character and not make it a stereotypical "housewife."

I have started learning my music, getting my harmonies and what not and lines, but my main problem is that I've never played a mother before. (and I don't have any personal experience with tending and nurturing children) Naturally, one would assume the next move would be to follow the example of ones own mother but my mother is a single mom and she read the play and even said some of the things Meredith did she couldn't see herself doing.

So does anyone have any suggestions for me on how to become more..."Mommy" like? I've heard go down to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, spend time at a school, but it would be nice to have more options.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

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emma_j_2010

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Newbie

Posts: 5

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Re:Bat Boy: The Musical - 2006/12/17 22:29 Do you have any younger cousins that you could spend some time with? (I'm assuming you don't have younger siblings, because you'd probably be a little more "motherly" if you did.) If you go to church then you could volunteer to help out with one of the kid's classes on a Wednesday night or something. I'd say spending time with younger kids would be your best bet if you can't get into character otherwise.

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ASHS_theatre

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Leading Player

Posts: 437

Karma: 7

Re:Bat Boy: The Musical - 2006/12/18 03:56 Alright, I have an idea! I'm not sure if it'll work or just make things worse but hey, it's something, right?

Take a look at your own mom. Take a look at your friend's moms. Take a look at moms in movies, TV shows, and the like. What do they all do similarly? What makes each one different? How do they speak? How does their tone change according to situation? Things of that nautre. Maybe take notes, maybe not, that's up to you. After gathering info, try imitating things you like. Even try imitating things you don't like so you know what they feel like and how to avoid them.

Hope it helps! Shelby
Jr. Moderator

Currently: Fritzi Bonwit in M*A*S*H

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ConverseSneaker

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Supporting Player

Posts: 183

Karma: 3

Re:Bat Boy: The Musical - 2006/12/18 21:15 I had the same problem when I played Mother Swan. I solved that problem by spending time with my "kids" and really bonding with them. We still refer to one another as family and they both still call me Mommy. To go into acting is like asking for admission to an insane asylum. Anyone may apply, but only the certifiably insane are admitted.

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Johnnyonenote

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Supporting Player

Posts: 84

Karma: 4

Re:Bat Boy: The Musical - 2007/02/18 22:15 Might be a little late but as a director I would ask you what your acting style is.. are you a MOMENT actor or a Method actor?
Meredith is not a typical mother in any sense of the word.. she is at FIRST but in general she is just a caring person (or so it seems)
The hidden layers of Mereideth come out in the script because of course of reaction to the action.
I have a real problem with method acting (Sorry method actors) be in the MOMENT (notice how I cap that?)

But if you are a method actor......
Find that piece of you that is Meredith and if there isn't anything, then find something in your nature that you can relate to her. Even if it is just hair color.
I don't think you have to be a mother to play a mother. We all have mothers, single or otherwise.. do you own a pet? That might be a starting point also.
But in general.. Act.. Act like a mother. After all, that is why they call it acting.

Currently Directing -
Sweeney Todd (March 2008)

Currently In - Jan 11 - Feb 3 2008
Moonlight And Magnolias - Ben Hecht (non musical)

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