Acting in Comedy
Comedy is a route many actors use to break into high profile TV and film. It allows you to work large in voice and movement and, in a way, it illuminates voice and movement for drama, because it allows you to see a broader range of what you can do. I’ve never thought of myself as a “funny” person. Can’t tell a joke to save me. Often referred to as quiet and aloof around those I don’t know well. But I started doing comedy in theatre and found that for me it was the one instance where the phrase “make a bold choice” seemed to make sense. Plus it’s safe. If you make a bold choice in a drama audition and people laugh, that’s bad. If it’s a comedy role you’re after and they laugh, that’s good. I’ve just booked a couple of comedy roles in upcoming productions, one film and one theatre, so I’ve been researching the finer points. One good source is Scott Sedita’s book The Eight Characters of Comedy: A Guide to Sitcom Acting and Writing . Sedita provides b...