The Facts of Acting

One of the very basic things you should understand as an actor is how to read a script AS an actor. I’ve spoken often about the tools of script analysis because they are the essential way to unlock the material the actor is working on.

One of the fundamental elements of a complete script analysis is a recce of the facts, also known as the Given Circumstances. These are all the fixed things about a script, including everything the writer has given to you through their script that tells you something about the character and the situation they find themselves in.

Don’t be arrogant and only read your scene. Read the entire script to immerse yourself in the given circumstances of the play.

Questions you should be able to answer include:

Who is in this scene?
What are the characters to each other?
What do we know about them?
Where and when does the scene occur?
What is your character literally doing in the scene?
What do other characters say and do to my character?
What do other characters say about my character?

This is your home work/ preparation on every script you do, the most basic stuff. Do it to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the script and your scenes.

Understanding the Given circumstances is essential but you cannot act upon them. They are facts and their role is to empower you to make smarter and more informed decisions as you progress. Think of it as a springboard to so that your creative choices are based upon the script and not pulled out of the ether to avoid embarrasment.

Now you have the facts, every script will surrender to you its given circumstances.