- Being good friends (or at least friendly) with your counterpart makes a huge difference. If you can laugh about it, it makes it WAY less awkward.
- This may seem obvious, but a reminder doesn't hurt: Kissing someone does not mean you are really in love. This is theatre. Get over it.
- Think about the romance and tension of the moment, not the kiss itself, because that is what the audience should be thinking about too. Usually it is the moment right before the kiss that will make the audience member's heart skip a beat.
- Be considerate of your counterpart. Brush your teeth before rehearsal. Breath mints are your friend! Feel free to use lip balm but not right before - no one likes greasy lips!
- Once you rehearse it a few times, it really does become just another stage direction. Pick up a prop, walk to centerstage, kiss the guy.... just another bit of blocking.
- Be prepared for a little razzing from the chorus members. It seems funny when you're not the one doing it. (If it really makes you uncomfortable though, speak to your director.)
- A little awkwardness can actually make the kiss look a little more realistic! Think about it - how many of your first kisses were picture perfect?
- Once you get out there in front of an audience, you'll be so in character you won't even think about it!
Comments
written by Kristen Carter, March 19, 2009
thank you so much! this helps sooo much and it makes everything about my upcoming stage kisses seem harmless and easy.
written by Sarah, April 03, 2009
Unfortunately I have to kiss My ex-bf in our production of Pippin this year.
Idk if you have any tips but, these were definitely helpful.
THANKS!
written by Robert Rittman, April 08, 2009
One of my best friends is gay, and his first kiss ever was to make out with one of his best friends in Little Shop (the biiiiig smooch after Suddenly Seymour). It was awesome, and I'm sure he would agree that being able to laugh it off definitely helped.
written by Jesse DeCoste, April 11, 2009
my first stage kiss was rather spontaneous...the cast was BEGGING us to do it for the last show (it was a high school show so it wasnt in the blocking). I told her 10 minutes before the show we'd do it and she seeme ok. we both laughed about it afterwards because there was a big squeal from everyone watching backstage. It really wasnt all that bad lol.
written by Alice Strachan, April 15, 2009
hey, just did my first stage kiss and it just wasn't a problem
we never did it in rehearsals but only did it on opening night about a week ago now and was absolutely fine
written by Mike, May 20, 2009
It's a little tough when you're the spouse and NOT THE ONE BEING KISSED :-(
written by theapian101, June 01, 2009
Yeah its pretty akward. You just have to get it over with.
written by Victoria Joel, July 05, 2009
my first stage kiss was with a friend but not really an attractive one.so it was akward to do that with him.when we first kissed in practice i couldnt stop laughing and everyone watching was ohhhing and ahhhing and makeing jokes i really wished i read this before i actually kissed him.
written by judy garland the 2, July 13, 2009
thanks for putting the tips on there!
written by Austin, July 27, 2009
If i get any of the roles in our two high school productions that i want this year, I'll have to kiss one of the girls. Luckily, I'm close with everyone in the company so it should be easy to laugh it off.
written by Katie Kirby-Rogers, October 21, 2009
My first stage kiss was in Guys and Dolls (I was Sarah and had to kiss Skye). We have been friends since... well, since he was born. It was akward to me for several reasons.
1. Because we were such good friends.
2. Because it was my first onstage kiss.
3. Because I had never kissed a guy that beautiful in my life.
I endured the cat calls because, if you remember Guys and Dolls at all, after Skye kisses Sarah she crosses the stage like she's going to kiss him again and then she slaps him. Now, because I read in the script that he thought she was going to kiss him again I played it off that way and received numerous whistles because, apparently, I was walking as if I was going to jump him! :-) Our first kiss was akward for me, for said reasons, but the fact that they have to kiss 4 times over the course of the show, by the end of the first rehearsal where we kissed, I was actually looking forward to it.
Heck, may as well kiss the cute boy while you can and enjoy it. Anyway, that's my story. 