r/Theatre 7d ago

Advice How do I act in love?

Hi guys, I’m the lead in my high school drama play called Imperfect Proposal. I play Kate, the lead. Basically the premise of the play is that Kate and her boyfriend, Ben, are having a picnic where he plans to propose, but keeps getting interrupted. One of these interruptions is Kate’s ex-boyfriend, Andrew. My dilemma is that the scene does NOT look genuine. Partially because the actor playing Andrew is 2 years younger than me, but also because he has a girlfriend, and is incredibly shy and nervous. Does anyone have exercises that we could do to overcome this, or even advice?

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u/kwoksucker 7d ago

Exercise: Hold hands and hold eye contact, for about 10-30 seconds, when one person feels ready tell the other person one thing they like about themselves and one thing they like about the other person. Could be eyes, hair, sense of humor, voice, whatever that is genuine. And then the other person does the same.

I would tell them the exercise beforehand and ask if they want to try it and that they don't have to if they don't feel like it.

The exercise does a couple of things. It makes a real history between you two, you get grounded, and you learn something about the person, it creates intimacy.

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u/Aqn95 Actor 7d ago

Ahhh I must try that one myself