Question: How to not laugh on stage!?
Hey all,
In my Drama class, I have to give a pantomime presentation!. The setting is a school dance!. My character is the school's star jock, person A is a nerd that tried to dance with the jock!. The jock reluctantly agrees, but doesn't dance much, while the nerd pops out 60's moves!. Then the preppy girl walks in and also wants to dance with the jock, but the nerd pushes her away with many hilarious tactics!. All through this everyone does many funny motions and I think that combined with nerves when I'm presenting will send me into a laughing fit!. How do you NOT laugh!? I found that biting down on my jaw helps, but I still laugh!. The old 'bite your inner cheek' trick doesn't work either, and I can't distract myself by thinking of something depressing and do a reasonable job acting at the same time!. Help!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Don't make eye contact with the person being funny!. Look at the top of their head or their nose or something, it usually works for me!. If you find yourself still loosing control, hide a smile with a natural-looking hand motion, such as brushing aside your bangs or something!. Make it in character, though!.
Good luckWww@QuestionHome@Com
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth deeply!.
If that doesn't work, try biting on the inside of your cheek, that almost always works for me!.
Or combine the two!.
also, try not to give your partner eye contact!. Stare at the bridge of their nose, or the lower center of the forehead!. It's all psychological!. By doing that, you have no reason to laugh because they can't do anything funny with their forehead or nose like they can with their eyes, so your body relaxes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Would your character laugh at him!? It would seem logical that a jock would laugh at a nerd!.
If not, deep, slow breaths help!. also, you could seem as if you are looking at the nerd but look slightly past her!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
I have the same problem!. Usually I think about a sad event that I experienced in my life and NEVER look directly into their face!. Just look at their forehead and try to BE the character!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I actually used a thumbtack in the bottom of my shoe and applied pressure when I needed to keep a straight face, or have used a safety pin in a pocket! It is a learned skill, but you can do it!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Lots of rehearsal to get it out of your system!. Then just stay totally committed to the part, and in character!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
i HAVE A VERY SIMILAR PANTOMIME I AM PRESENTING ON MONDAY, IT HELPS TO BITE YOUR LIP AND THINK AS IF YOU ARE BEING WATCHED TO GET A ROLE ON T!.V!.
HOPE THIS HELPS =]Www@QuestionHome@Com
Actually, what I do when I want to keep a straight face is that I look at the person I'm facing and don't give him eye contact!. I focus on the corner of his eye or the bridge of his nose!. So do something simular, don't pay direct attention to the scene, pick out a spot on the floor underneath them and focus on that, while keeping a horrified face!. It's called acting, isn't it!?!? =D
I also think over and over again "Dying is not Funny"
I don't know why, but it works for me =]
And when you're truely in character, it's easier not to laugh!.Www@QuestionHome@Com