Performing
Everyone is welcome to audition for our productions, and stepping out on the stage is both thrilling and rewarding. But it’s not all glamour and sparkle…
Acting is the thing that most people think of first when they think of an amateur dramatic society, and SBADS has seen many excellent actors tread its stage over the last hundred years. Many people try acting for the first time in our village hall: but if they’re bitten by “the acting bug” it can be quite addictive. Some of our productions, such as our pantos, also involve opportunities for song and dance too.
We have performers from ages eight to eighty, from all walks of life: and you don’t even need to live in South Brent. Whether you’ve acted for years or your only acting experience is in a nativity play at school (or not even that), you’re welcome to join us.
What’s involved?
Walking and talking, often at the same time…
More seriously, actors have to learn the script perfectly, say the right things in the right place at the right time, and convince the audience that they are a completely different person, whilst pretending that the audience aren’t there at all – although if it’s a panto, they probably have to work with the audience too. There’s also a lot of rehearsal for each production, typically one rehearsal each week for three months.
We rarely stage musicals, but some roles – particularly in our pantomimes – will combine acting, singing and/or dancing, and sometimes we have roles for people who’d like to sing/dance but not have a speaking role.
We know that appearing on stage can be intimidating: but in general you can’t see the audience in the darkness of the hall. One of the curiosities of acting is that you don’t necessarily need to be an outgoing person to do it: it’s all about pretending to be someone else.
What experience do you need?
None: SBADS welcomes first time performers as well as people with experience and training. All roles are cast on ability and potential. Most productions have a range of roles with many (hundreds) or few (one or two) lines, and if you would like the comfort of a large ensemble cast then our pantomimes are a great way to dip your toe into being on stage.
What skills do you need?
A good memory and being able to speak clearly are the only skills that are essential for actors. Being able to observe other people and simulate different emotions is important, and it helps if you are able to react to the other actors in a convincing fashion. Much of acting is simply doing the things your voice and body do automatically in your daily life, but doing them under your own deliberate control: and you don’t need to be able to become a different person instantly, as the whole point of rehearsals is to develop the patterns of speech, movement and reaction that brings characters to life.
If you’d like to be involved in singing and dancing, then a good voice and sense of rhythm are necessary.
How do I get involved?
You are welcome to come to our “auditions” (which are always very informal: you won’t be expected to stand on stage, and no-one is told if they are being cast or not until later), which we advertise on this website and on posters in South Brent. If you are not already a member, you can contact us to let us know that you are interested. If you’d like to chat to someone who’s already involved in this part of productions, let us know, and we’ll put you in touch.
If you are a member, then please make sure that your interest in this area is included on your membership records. If you want to update your membership records, then please fill in the membership form.
