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when preform on stage

when you preform on stage when your acting if you mess up a line what would happen? #acting #theater #performing #stage

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David H.’s Answer

Forgetting your lines happens to every actor sooner or later. Being out on stage in front of a live audience is dangerous. It requires tons of rehearsal and preparation and concentration. It is also incredibly exciting. Also, you're not alone out there on stage, even though it may feel that way at times. Not only do you have your fellow actors to rely on, you have the audience on your side as well. They are rooting for you, especially in moments of distress. It's scary to forget your lines, but the play must go on, and it usually does. In live theater mistakes happen all the time. Theater is a complicated business and there are all sorts errors that occur during performance. Props, costumes and scenery, lighting and sound cues can all break, fall off, miss their mark, fail to turn on or ignite, but Onward! As you gain experience you will learn to roll with the punches, to deal with mistakes and sometimes to turn them to your advantage. And you will never forget them, and, if they are truly apparent to the audience, neither will they. All you can do is to work hard during rehearsal, stay focused during performance and do your job as best you can. You will find that you learn from your mistakes, which, unfortunately, you must make in front of a live audience.

Thank you comment icon To add to what David said above: No two shows will ever be exactly the same. Even the most experienced actors will occasionally "drop" a line during a performance. By working hard on your character development and relationships between players, you should be able to improvise your way through the situation while staying in character. Your cast mates will know your part through and through as well, so they will be able to help you spark your memory and progress the scene. :) SparkArtsVT
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Kimberly’s Answer

This is a great question. I was a stage manager for over 20 years and have helped many performers learn their lines. If someone forgets their lines we hope that another actor will be able to feed them a clue about the line they are forgetting. Usually the audience doesn't even know it happens. This is not a reason to blow off learning your lines though. You might be the one to help your fellow performer.
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