How do I not think when I'm acting so I can loose myself when playing a char

Question:So in my drama class we had constructive criticisms people in the group said that I just need to be more confident and NOT THINK when I'm acting. And i really want to improve because i feel its my time now to shine so the real question is:
How do I loose myself into the drama that my whole body becomes becomes the character I'm play as true as I can without THINKING when spoil the performance?
I know there are answers I just need good people to show me.

Take care Gwen xxx

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: So in my drama class we had constructive criticisms people in the group said that I just need to be more confident and NOT THINK when I'm acting. And i really want to improve because i feel its my time now to shine so the real question is:
How do I loose myself into the drama that my whole body becomes becomes the character I'm play as true as I can without THINKING when spoil the performance?
I know there are answers I just need good people to show me.

Take care Gwen xxx

Gwen, I know where you are coming from because I too had that problem. There are a few things that you can do to help with that. One focus on what the other person is say. Listen to them and only them, know your scenes inside and out. Relax. And the biggest thing of all is to trust yourself, actors, and director. Know that you are not going to look stupid and no one is going to let you down. Don't worry about what you're doing, just perform. "Act well your part because there the honor lies" International Thespian Soceity.

the key is to think about what your character would do
just put yourself in your characters shoes do some theater exercises and develop your character because the more you know about the character the easier for you to act like him/her

When they say 'not think', they mean 'think like your character', not like you pretending to be the character.
Try to be the character. That is to say, look at her past, and present and what she believes her future to be. Look at her motivation.
A trick I have used it to put on the face of the character. Visualize her. Consider how she would look and then imagine her face in front of you and it turning around and is hollowed out. Then draw the face to you so you can be the face. It will give you a feeling of the emotions you have as that person. (You can do this with real life people that you know and it will help you get in their heads.)

Break a leg.

Okay, what you need to do is first figure out who your characters partner is. it could be another character, the audience, or even themslves. Then once u figure that out, you need to figure out what your character wants from their partner. Then you need to think about your life and when youve had a situation similar 2 ur character's and feed off of that. and lastly, as my acting coach says "take ur brain out and put it in the basket" and just do it! if u need more info visit my website, www,kalynpaige.blogspot.com and my contact info is there.

just concentrate on what the other actors are saying and doing and react to that.