See forthcoming book to be published by the BDA on music, the performing arts and dyslexia. This includes a chapter on sight reading for actors by Deborah Leveroy, who has contributed the information below. only 20 minutes preparation available Important to understand the text Directors aren’t looking for a perfect’ reading but want to see the ‘word choices the actor has made concerning character Strategies Get the script as early as possible If you only have (e.g.) 20 mins find a quiet place (the toilet if – necessary!) particularly somewhere where you can concentrate and – read out loud Connect to your breath breathe in through your nose and out through – your mouth Flick through the pages get an overall picture: how many characters? – Dense prose or short dialogue? Don’t focus on individual words Look for clues as to what it’s about title etc – Do you know any other plays by the same author? Are there long sentences if so you’ll need to think about where to – breather What kind of punctuation? This may give clues e.g. lots of ? or ! – What can you use of yourself to inform the situation? Make bold choices and stick to them. Mark up changes’ (of emotion) in the passage ‘gear Read it out loud. Don’t get on individual words. Better to guess the meaning or pronunciation and be brave! Memorise the 3 words of key sections the script parallel with the floor out in front of you” so that your face “Hold can be seen Remember to breathe. Be aware of your body 2 feet on the floor – Use your thumb as a marker so that you don’t lose your place Communicate the sense of the words; don’t say words without thoughts
See forthcoming book to be published by the BDA on music, the performing arts and dyslexia. This includes a chapter on sight reading for actors by Deborah Leveroy, who has contributed the information below. only 20 minutes preparation available Important to understand the text Directors aren’t looking for a ‘word perfect’ reading but want to see the choices the actor has made concerning character Strategies Get the script as early as possible If you only have (e.g.) 20 mins – find a quiet place (the toilet if necessary!) – particularly somewhere where you can concentrate and read out loud Connect to your breath – breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth Flick through the pages – get an overall picture: how many characters? Dense prose or short dialogue? Don’t focus on individual words Look for clues as to what it’s about – title etc Do you know any other plays by the same author? Are there long sentences – if so you’ll need to think about where to breather What kind of punctuation? This may give clues – e.g. lots of ? or ! What can you use of yourself to inform the situation? Make bold choices and stick to them. Mark up ‘gear changes’ (of emotion) in the passage Read it out loud. Don’t get on individual words. Better to guess the meaning or pronunciation and be brave! Memorise the 3 words of key sections “Hold the script parallel with the floor out in front of you” so that your face can be seen Remember to breathe. Be aware of your body – 2 feet on the floor Use your thumb as a marker so that you don’t lose your place Communicate the sense of the words; don’t say words without thoughts
Daunt_2012.docx