Cry on command while talking?

Question:I need to pretty much bawl to make my monologue great. how can I completely sob, w/o using anything like vicks vaporub, or eye drops, because for my purpose, it would be considered cheating. and I need to start bawling while talking, I can't take a long pause.

here's my monologue if you wanna read it:

Jamie: (sits in disbelief after hearing the news her parents divorce) What? (pause) What do you mean you're getting a divorce? No, (pause) no this can't be happening to me. (shaking her head.) Can't the two of you work things out? I mean how bad could it possibly be? (pause) You told me that you loved each other, yea, you did. Now, out of the blue you’re saying the exact opposite? How am I supposed to feel, did you ever stop once to think of me? To think of how I would feel? (beat) (truning to her mother ) It's you right? It's your fault it always is. You're always riding on Dad, nagging him. Like that time he forgot to wash the dishes, and you flipped out.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I need to pretty much bawl to make my monologue great. how can I completely sob, w/o using anything like vicks vaporub, or eye drops, because for my purpose, it would be considered cheating. and I need to start bawling while talking, I can't take a long pause.

here's my monologue if you wanna read it:

Jamie: (sits in disbelief after hearing the news her parents divorce) What? (pause) What do you mean you're getting a divorce? No, (pause) no this can't be happening to me. (shaking her head.) Can't the two of you work things out? I mean how bad could it possibly be? (pause) You told me that you loved each other, yea, you did. Now, out of the blue you’re saying the exact opposite? How am I supposed to feel, did you ever stop once to think of me? To think of how I would feel? (beat) (truning to her mother ) It's you right? It's your fault it always is. You're always riding on Dad, nagging him. Like that time he forgot to wash the dishes, and you flipped out.

Wow. Terrible monologue, by the way. However.

I suggest you don't bawl. It's too obvious. Crying on cue is a stunt, anyway, and people are only ever impressed by it, hardly ever really moved emotionally.

If I were you, I would try delivering this very coldly and quietly indeed. Imagine so that you desperately want to cry, but you're not going to, because it would give them too much satisfaction.

I know it goes against the obvious way to do it, but it will be way more affecting, I promise. There's nothing more heartbreaking than someone who wants to just lose it but is determined not to. Try it and see - if you don't like it my way then I dunno, sniff an onion or think about a dead pet, or something.

Think of something that is very sad. Keep thinking about it until time for you to go on. I had to do the very same thing in a church play and so I thought about the death of my mom. When the time came for my part, I was so filled with sadness that I actually cried and had to wipe away tears. Just look over the monologue and put yourself in the character's place. Really get into the role and that should help you. Hope my advice helps out. Good luck!

that makes me cry just reading it try to think about how she is feeling my parents are divorced and its hard. just try to understand the character and if you make your eyes really dry then it will be easier to cry cause they will want to be moist again. think about all the sad stuff that has happened to you in your life during the part before she cries. sounds like fun. good luck.

Most actors do an "emotional trigger" exercise. You can read about it in most of the better acting texts, but briefly:

You need to put yourself into a condition of very deep relaxation. Almost trance-like.

In that state, you need to recall an event in your own life that made you weep (or feel whatever emotion you need to portray).

Now, while in that state--recall ALL of the details of that memory. Something in it is the trigger--the sound, the smell, the taste, a certain color or sight or something sensory. As you recall, when you figure out and really re-experience that trigger, you will find tears coming.

Now, if you can repeat this exercise with that memory on three different occasions, and it works each time, then you should be able to use it for a performance. As you are acting, recall that trigger at the key moment.

Note that this sort of going deep into yourself is a little touchy, and it's often best done with an experienced coach who can guide you. If you find yourself feeling depressed or mentally odd after doing these things, stop and seek counseling!

just think about something in your life that had made you bawl like a baby. if you don't want to do that, then just try to really get into character, you know, pretend you really are the character and feel like your monologue is yourself talking.