audience awareness Audience awareness is a difficult skill to develop as an actor. If the script requires naturalistic acting, overt audience interaction isn‟t suitable. However, an awareness of the audience is still required. When we speak one-on-one to people, we adjust our speaking to and awareness of who we are addressing. As an actor, you should be aware of how an audience is responding to your performance. Good actors will be flexible in their performance, bringing the audience with them and engaging them in the “dialogue” of theatre.
classroom activity BRAINSTORM
Which actors from The One Sure Thing had strong audience awareness? How could you tell? How can you develop audience awareness?
PRACTICAL TASK
Split the class into two groups: one group is audience and one performs Performers find a space on the “stage” and perform a simple action (e.g. brushing teeth, peeling a banana etc.) Audience spends at least two minutes looking at the different “actors”. Which actors seem to have the greater audience awareness? Why? Swap groups and repeat the activity.
REFLECTION In your Drama journal, discuss what “audience awareness” is. On a scale of 1-10, measure your own audience awareness. How will you increase and develop it?
Patrick Richards Photo: Claire Harris