Day 7 Topic 6
Knowing when you are the center of attention or the focal point of the scene and when you are not is crucial for anyone stepping onto the stage.
In general, when you are supposed to be the center of attention the best place to be is upstage of whoever you are singing to. You might think that the closer you are to the audience the stronger your position is. The problem with this thinking is that, at least when we are performing on a proscenium stage, the downstage person is always in a weaker position. They either have their back to the other singer which puts them in a visually vulnerable position or they have to turn upstage to relate to the other characters which makes them draw even less attention from the audience.
There are many ways someone can “take the stage” or become the focal point for the audience. Anything you can do to set yourself apart from the rest of the people on stage will make you stand out. Standing on a higher level, wearing a brighter or more saturated color, moving more or less than the people around you can all make you pop out from the crowd.
What we will focus on here though is getting you to build the basic instinct to get upstage before you have to sing or become the focal point. If you do that, then you will find yourself in the right position the majority of the time.
The Challenge of Getting Upstage
As we learned we have to keep our face between “10 & 2” at least when we are singing opera. Even when we are singing different genres that is still the best place to have your face if you want the audience to engage with what you are saying.
The problem with that is that to keep your face between “10 & 2” while getting upstage becomes very difficult. You have three options to get upstage. You can back up, turn around and walk upstage, or do and “RSB” or “LSB” maneuver (see below). Backing up is clumsy and dangerous and should be used sparingly and only when you know exactly where everything is around you. Turning around and walking upstage breaks the rule of 10& 2 so we are left with “RSB” and “LSB” while we are singing and trying to get upstage at the same time.
Getting Upstage When You Aren’t Singing
To get upstage when you aren’t singing is easy. Just walk to where you need to go like any normal person would. Look to where you want to go, turn your body and walk. Don’t try to sidestep, walk in slow motion or consistently even steps, or any other kind of un-natural walk unless that is the specific request of the director or the unique to the character. Just walk like a real person would who is saying and doing what your character is saying and doing.
Getting yourself upstage while singing
If you are singing to someone next to you or on the same horizontal plane of the stage where neither of you is significantly upstage or downstage then you aren’t in a good position. If I need to sing to someone who is directly staging right of me and I am supposed to sing as I cross to talk to them I need to get up stage before I cross so that I can sing at a downstage angle to that person. The movement pattern would be similar to what is drawn below here. This lets you keep the “10 & 2” rule, allows you to connect with the conductor, and is visually more appealing.
How to get upstage right – RSB (Right Shoulder Back)
The process of doing a right shoulder back is this:
- Eyes look at where you are wanting to go
- Face then torso follow
- Hand usually gestures in the direction you are about to go in some fashion.
- Opposite foot (so if you are looking Right then the left foot moves first) steps straight back with the toe pointing towards the intended target.
- The other foot falls back placing you in a natural stance ready to walk forward.
How to get upstage left – LSB (Left Shoulder Back)
- Eyes look at where you are wanting to go
- Face then torso follow
- Hand usually gestures in the direction you are about to go in some fashion.
- Opposite foot (so if you are looking left then the right foot moves first) steps straight back with the toe pointing towards the intended target.
- The other foot falls back placing you in a natural stance ready to walk forward.
CREDIT
Thank you to Richard Crittenden. The terms RSB and LSB was taken from his workshop and teachings and are used with his blessing.
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