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Theatrical Tuesday - Cold Reading

TuesdayIn theatre, it's quite common to have to read something aloud that one has never laid eyes on before. This is called Cold Reading. The most common times it happens is the first time one gets a script or at an audition.

It's can be a bit uncomfortable. Often, I've felt as if I'm being scrutinized on how well I step into a role I've never seen before. I might not know anything about the character.

This happened a lot during my 9:00AM Monday class that is now complete. We would be given a play to read and I often didn't know anything about it or its characters. I'd get barely a moment to skim and try to get a sense of what the character was about.

Professional actors probably have to do this regularly. It's almost like presenting something you haven't researched. In my limited experience, it's common to do some parts of the read through well and some completely wrong. A good director will help one get the tone right.

I've gotten to a point in my life where I didn't get too uncomfortable about it, but that may have been because the stakes weren't overly high. It wasn't as if I was trying to impress anyone or ensure my bills were going to be paid. No, I was just trying to get the marks I needed for the course and to stave off boredom while others read. It also let me recapture some of my old acting days.

I'm not sure if I will act in the future or not. It's possible. My main focus is writing and I don't see that changing in the immediate future. Stranger things have happened though.

Speaking of my writing, I've made many of the changes I've been wanting to on this site. Many items have been moved under a new portfolio section. I will be filling that out more in the coming months.

School is optional today and I'm thinking about staying home to work on my condo now that my homework is done. I can also use some time to look over notes for my Thursday class that has a quiz. I want to work on my accent wall today and do some painting on the weekend. Plus, it's too gorgeous outside, I need groceries, and my skateboard is available for pickup after 1:00 PM.

R~
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