Crying on cue - 2007/10/30 15:56Can anyone give me any tips on stage crying?
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/10/30 17:27What I do is I think only the character's thoughts. That helps me cry because they would cry. I know a lot of people think of a sad thing that's happened to them, and it works for a lot of people... it works for me, too, occasionally, but I really don't like to do it because it kind of desensitizes me to my own life, and I don't like that. Once, when I had to cry, my director wanted me to use my friend's death as a tear trigger, but I thought that was kind of disrespectful, and plus, it didn't happen for me to use as an acting tool. So I try not to use my own life experiences. I sometimes have trouble crying anyway, but I find using the character's story makes me cry more.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
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kristine415
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/10/30 21:07I use what the character thinks as well, because while you're on stage you ARE the character. When you're in that moment, I'll bet it'll work for you. Another thing to keep in mind is it's ok if you don't start tearing up immediately. People in real life generally try to hide the fact they're crying, so kind of try to play that up. Look like you're trying to hold back the tears (like someone would do in real life) until you can get the tears really going. Then it's like you just can't hold in anymore.
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Queenie
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/10/31 04:42I use the "emotional memory" method where I think of something I personally would get upset about (dead puppies etc). I find thinking about what the character is feeling very difficult as I usually have no experience in what they're going through! Plus I'm a control freak
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terryhicks
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/11/08 21:16while i have never had to cry on stage (except when I was a pirate in Pirates of Penzance, which was comic crying), but i know the day will come, so i practice all the time.
as far as straight plays go, i just really try to live in my character.
in musicals, i live in my character, but really listen to the music and think about the words i'm singing.In Production: Thoroughly Modern Millie...ENSEMBLE!
Past Roles: Scarecrow in "The Wiz" Lumiere in "Beauty and the Beast" Seargant in "Pirates of Penzance" Prince in "Cinderella's Glass Slipper"
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Shannon
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/11/11 14:07I'm with the "think what the character's thinking" crowd. Bringing up memories of sad things doesn't help me much; I have to really get into character to cry on cue. However, you might find that bringing up a past memory is more helpful. Also, if you need to, you can sort of tense your body up and make your breath shaky and start to cry that way.
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mrmistofolees19
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/11/11 18:10well, i might not be much help, because i cry over just about everything. haha. but i say ditto, getting into character is really good. and if tears don't come, people say to squint your eyes, but thats no help. you fix your eyebrows into that "sad" look, think of something that made you cry alot, and then start breathing deeply. then it should come naturally. oops i mean lol. i've never done it before, but ive practiced.*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ Annie
currently: nothing : (
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Intoxication
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/11/27 15:47You really have two main options one an as if substitute the situation into your life ie. if the character's best friend is dying imagine yours is throw yourself into to it plunge yourself into the plot
or take a memory dhad a relation or something died, go back to the funeral and remember how it felt
if all else fails then stab youself in the eye!Currently Combeferre
Fate ,inks thee to me forever and a day
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Tay
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/12/04 18:59Different methods work for different people. Mostly, unless your director is demanding tears, I wouldn't stress about it. Make it believeable. Make the audience believe that your lover is dying and that you just can't go on. If the audience forgets that you're an actor and only notices your character, you shouldn't need real tears. If your director is REALLY pushing for tears, try your hardest to become your character and let the tears roll. Good luck!!
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mslexy403
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/12/05 10:29I've always wanted to know about this too. I've never had to cry on stage either but my director wants me to cry (and I don't think i'll have a problem with it because I cry thoughout half the show anyway) when ValJean dies next to Cosette in Les Mis.
Another question though, how do you cry without ruining your stage makeup?"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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katoru
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/12/05 15:22mslexy403 wrote: Another question though, how do you cry without ruining your stage makeup?
Use oil-based makeup (not powder) and seal it. You can buy several different kinds of makeup sealers, but castor oil works as well. Depending on if you have a wardrobe department, they may have makeup sealer.
And waterproof mascara. Very important.Kathleen Sera Current Shows: Aloha Pinafore - Volga Upcoming Auditions: Crazy For You - Irene Roth
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shadesofharmony6
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Re:Crying on cue - 2007/12/29 10:26Yeah, I'm thinking about the same thing being Dorothy because she does a lot of crying. I can do a believeable fake cry (laughing with a frown kinda thing) but that doesn't bring tears. Also, how do you cry and sing at the same time without ruining your singing and without going way too dramatic?Catherine currently: Babette/silly girl #1 BATB next: audition for Chicago!
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xtragically_beautifulx
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Re:Crying on cue - 2008/01/02 15:18I just put myself in the character's shoes. For Into the Woods, I had to cry a bit for little Red and I just led my mind through what the character was going through. I think of what the subtext beneath the words and apply it to my emotion. Not blinking while your doing this helps a bit too. But the key thing is to not be afraid to be vulnerable in front of an audience.
As for most emotional memory, I only do that as a last resort because it CAN affect you.
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aliauthor
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Re:Crying on cue - 2008/01/02 15:57It helps me to 'think what the character is thinking' by listening to a song- not necessarily a show tune- that relates to the character.
For example, if you were Sandy in Grease and had to cry with 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', you could listen to 'We Belong Together' by Mariah Carey (bad example, but I can't think right now) while developing your character.
I personally find that research and experience brings depth to characters, and songs are so powerful and moving!
Also remember that tears aren't everything when you cry onstage, because the majority of the audience won't be able to tell if there are tears running down your face, but they will be able to see the emotion in your face.-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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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:Crying on cue - 2008/01/02 18:30Also, as many sources point out, many people don't cry when sad. Watch the news to see that- some people get very quiet, some people throw things around, some people are so far gone that they can't cry.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
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oops i mean 
