Here are some solo exercises you can use to improve your acting skills. Good actors can make things believable. Being credible onstage for an actout joke or a sincere punchline is crucial. You also need performance skills and good vocal variety. Try these tools from the world of acting when working on your next open mic jokes!
Emotional Rollercoaster
You can do this with any line of dialogue from your set, but it will probably work best with an ‘act out’ line, that is a line of dialogue in your set where the person speaks in first person. Experiment with different emotions for how you say the line of dialogue, even if they don’t feel correct. Record yourself saying your line with as many emotional filters as you can. First this gives you practice bringing emotion into your set, but also you may find out your act our is funnier if it is played for confusion and not surprise (for example). Here is a list of emotions.
- Anger
- Sadness
- Happiness
- Fear
- Confusion
- Surprise
- Disgust
EXAMPLE: Experiment with how saying “I can’t believe I overslept!” in different tones alters the implication:
OTHER HELPFUL ACTING TIPS
Commitment to Character
Fully commit to the emotions, punchlines and choices you make, even if they feel silly. Half-hearted acting won’t sell the performance. Correct commitment is key to credibility on stage. Heighten yourself, and commit to your comedic persona.
Listen and React
Choose a joke and record yourself delivering it while playing off an imaginary scene partner. Switch to reacting with surprise, agreement, rebuttal etc. Presence evolves through active listening. Also remember to listen and react to the audience.
Amplify with Gestures
Exaggerate physical choices like posture or hand motions to underscore emotional work. Notice how subtle body language enhances delivery of even simple punchlines. Presence encompasses full-body acting.
The Value of Repetition
Like any craft, proficiency demands regular rehearsal. Dedicated practice unlocks confidence in your comedic abilities. Actors perform the same show 8 times a week! Do the same set as many times as you can for different audiences, for maximum growth potential. Challenge yourself on always finding new ways to keep it fresh.
It’s about the Journey
Believable acting becomes second nature with experience. Commit to building blocks now and trust the process leads to eventual artistry. Progress lies along the path, not the destination alone.