Drama teachers have a responsibility to teach their students the tools of the trade. The tools of an actors trade are their voice and their body. It pays to take good care of these tools to make the most of a performance, as well as for physical well being. Athletes and dancers work hard to make sure their bodies are warmed up before exerting themselves physically. Actors and drama students should do the same. All too often, actors and drama students neglect the physical warm-up stages in favor of moving into a rehearsal, but this can be dangerous.
Safety first
A chef always uses a sharp knife. It is safer that way. However, actors seem to forget that their bodies can become ‘blunt instruments’ over time. When performing or moving around on stage, injuries can occur. To prevent serious injuries, actors should be warmed up and focused on the task at hand. When working with other people in close proximity, the likelihood of injury is doubled, especially when the actors are still trying to work on their characterization. Warming up the muscles will prevent strains and sprains on stage.
The voice too needs warming up. The demands of rehearsal and filling a stage with sound puts a great deal of pressure on the human body. Straining the vocal chords can lead to permanent damage, or at the least, losing ones voice. When an actor cannot deliver their lines, they have failed in their responsibility on stage. Completing vocal exercises can assist in maintaining the voice throughout a performance season.
Important elements of fitness for the stage
Traditional fitness is desirable in an actor. However, some elements of physical fitness are more important than others when acting. Flexibility is a major asset. The more flexible you are, the more fluid your movements can become. This can translate to grace and poise on stage. Often costumes can be bulky or difficult to move. A flexible actor can find a way of making even the most difficult corset work for them, by compensating for the lack of movement with improved flexibility. Balance is also crucial to a performer on stage.
Core muscle strength is important when engaged in stage combat or working with another actor. Having a strong core area means that you can hold yourself in position. Remembering that stage combat is mostly about one person having complete control over their own movements, and the other merely giving the impression of dominating the other physically, core strength allows for combat sequences to appear more real and believable.
Physical warm-up routines and ideas
Older students often prefer to warm up using methods that they can research or understand. Tai Chi or Yoga have both been useful for warming up the muscles, improving focus and providing challenge for all fitness and flexibility levels. Having been tried and tested in the East for thousands of years, both forms have a long history of success.
Younger students are often are more self conscious, especially in front of their opposite sex pairs. Finding warm up exercises to suit can be a challenge. Structuring the class and reminding all students that warm ups are quiet time to concentrate on their own selves can be a valuable tool. Have patience with the class, and never allow students to speak or comment about another students performance.
A simple routine
Warm up routines are best performed either outside on the grass or indoors on a wooden floor. Removing shoes and socks is an excellent way of making sure all students have the ability to physically feel for balance. Ballet, dance or Yoga shoes are also fine, as long as they have non-slip soles. Sports shoes with a good arch support are also a good idea. Avoid allowing students to wear the heavy leather shoes commonly associated with schools as they tend to lack support and are not the most flexible footwear available.
Always start with getting a strong body position. The triangle of strength is a good idea. Have the students stand with their feet hip width apart, firmly planted on the floor. Swing your arms gently at the sides, alternating the forward and backward motion. Stretch upwards, and slowly lower your arms again to the sides, always keeping them outstretched. Stretch up, and rise onto your toes. Lower your arms again.
Warm up the spine by slowly rolling each vertebrae down from the top, and then back up. Stretch your arms up, and roll down until they touch your knees. Roll back up to a standing position. Stretch up, and roll down to attempt to touch the floor. Some students will not be able to do this. Do not push them at this point. Ask them to reach, but stop when they feel uncomfortable.
Step forward with your left leg, keeping the right foot firmly planted on the floor. Stretch out sideways with your arms for balance, and stretch into a lunge-like position. Hold, and release. Stand back upright and repeat with the other leg. This will improve balance and flexibility.
Sit on the floor, legs outstretched in front. Keep your back straight and upright. Twist your torso around, reaching with your arms. Do this in both directions. Reach for your toes with your hands, rolling down in the middle.
Preparing your voice.
Lie on your back on the floor. Place your hands on your lower rib cage. Breathe in, allowing your ribcage to expand. Hold the breath for a count of 3, then release slowly, expelling all the air. Repeat the process at least 5 times. This exercise will help to control your diaphragm.
Stand up. Breath deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breath in and hold it for a count on three. Breath in, and release the air slowly, uttering aloud an ommmmmm sound. Repeat with other vowel sounds, ah, ee, oh, and ooo.
Walk around the performance space repeating tongue twisters. Slowly increase the volume. Drop to a whisper. A quick search for tongue twisters will produce a large array of material for this activity.
Also, remember to warm up your face. Exaggerated yawns, facial muscle movements as squeezing the face together and stretching your mouth and eyes widely.
Using this in the classroom
Establish your classroom routines early in the year. Begin with a discussion about the importance of warming up, even with the younger students. Begin each lesson with students changing into clothing that is easy to move in, and into bare feet or appropriate footwear. Keep warm up activities a quiet time, or play slow, melodic movement in the background. Along with focus, warming up the body before a drama class is the most important element in maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment in the Performing Arts.
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