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Question: How do I keep from smiling on stage in theater!.!.!.!?
I am a really easy going guy that loves to make people laugh!. I have this horrible Habit though!. I love the theater and I hope to pursue a career in it but whenever Im in a serious scene on stage or in the worst of times, I always crack a smile!. I hate it! I tried biting the sides of my cheeks to keep it from happening but then i just look really goofy!. HELP PLEASE!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
You might not be as relaxed as you think you are onstage--do you feel an uncontrollable urge to smile in scenes where the mood isn't so serious!? If you don't, then you might want to have a shot at looking calm instead of trying to be outright serious!. also, try to get even deeper into character!. Even if you don't mind being typecast as the funny guy right now, you may want to branch out into serious roles as you mature!.

There are often roles which require an actor to be established as a comic character for the beginning of the play, then become serious for the later acts both as character development and to add dramatic tension!. You may want to look into one of those roles!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Think about something (if there's anything!) that makes you depressed!. If you smile because of the other people onstage, then don't look anyone in the eye!. Look just above them to avoid looking directly at their face, which could make you laugh! Really concentrate on the lines, because they will be serious, and if you really believe them, then you'll end up being just as serious as they are!Www@QuestionHome@Com

think about getting fired from your role and never getting to act again if you don't stop smiling
biting your tongue is better than biting your cheeks because it doesn't show as much (and it hurts more)--but anything physical is a temporary solution, you need to adjust mentally to have any success as a serious actorWww@QuestionHome@Com

Ok im not sick ordemented or anything but think like as if you just got told of another person in the scene that your mum / dad / sister / brother ect!. whatever you like died! It works for me and once i got so much into it i almost cried! HAHA IM SUCH A SAD LIL JELLY SPROUT!Www@QuestionHome@Com

pretend its a life or death situation Www@QuestionHome@Com