For those of you who have taken my class, this doesn’t mean try not to cry in front of me (There’s no crying in theater!). The advice is for your character.
Giving away too much too soon is the best way to lose the audience. Think about it. When we, as human beings, are hurt by someone or by events, we typically try NOT to cry in front of someone – unless of course we are using the tears to get what we want, but that is another topic.
Think about the last time you watched an interview on TV where someone started to get really emotional. They know they are being recorded and that there is an audience present. Their lips tremble, their voice cracks, but we witness them trying to hold it back. So often the apologize for the display of emotion or ask for the camera to be turned off. This is human nature. That is what we want to see on stage – characters we identify with.
If your character finds him or herself in an emotional state, fight the urge to let it all go at once. Hold it in. The audience will be on the edge of their seat – either rooting for you, or waiting to see you fall apart. The moment you let it go though, they can relax. Bring them to the emotional edge with you and let them feel it before you let it all go.
The advice goes for most extreme emotion such as intense anger or frustration. Let it build. Let us witness the struggle. That is where you will have them in the palm of your figurative hand.
