Act Acting » Acting Classes » Taboo Topic: Stage Kissing – HELP!!!

Taboo Topic: Stage Kissing – HELP!!!

Question:

I disagree with this post as far as the kiss being unromantic.  

I certainly never meant to imply that the kiss would be unromantic from the point of view of the audience (assuming it’s supposed to be).  It’s called acting. David Heath

Response:

I disagree with this post as far as the kiss being unromantic.  It can be very romantic…if it is supposed to and if you both, as performers, reach the level of seperation between yourselves and the characters you are portraying. …

Boleshevsky said in "Six Acting Lessons" — I’m paraphrasing now — We do that on stage what doesn’t exist in reality.  When you are love on stage, are you REALLY in love?  No.  The preparation is real, but the love is not.  It’s an interpretative reality. It’s hard for new actors to separate self from character when kissing. I see this in my acting classes all the time. Funny story, to this point:  I had a Muslim student, one for whom kissing a woman other than his wife is a big time religious problem.  We talked and talked about it.  Finally, I told him that, if he was being turned on by the kissing, he was not acting correctly.  I told him that there ought not be an aulterous thought in his body while invovled in a stage kiss.  I think he bought this argument.  He’s a student now at the Actors Studio at the New School, and he hasn’t written to me about kissing problems. Ed Hooks

Response:

I advise you not to kiss on stage. shaoe

Response:

Kissing on stage is an activity, like lifting a box or setting a dinner table. It requires more than just your lips. I’ve seen uncomfortable actors form a kind of wedge with their bodies (faces together, feet apart) and that’s fine if the characters are preadolescents trying on that "First Kiss" but decide why your characters are kissing and adjust your entire bodies accordingly. You’ve received alot of good advice on this topic. Remember, as actors, we endow our characters with humanity and as characters, we endow our activities with intention and truth. Good Luck. "A kiss is still a kiss." Mark Summers "If I ran the zoo," said young Gerald McGrew, "I’d make a few changes! That’s just what I’d do!"         Dr. Seus

Response:

Okay, I "get" to perform my first stage kiss in about 3 months in front of a whole lot of people and I have no clue where to start. The guy I’m supposed to kiss is new to this to, and we are both flustered and haven’t gone over this scene together yet.

I agree with pretty much everything that’s been said in the first four responses, especially the statement that your director needs to help you through this. Personally, I think stage kissing is about the least romantic thing I’ve ever done — there’s simply too much else going on!  Quite apart from the fact that there are all those people watching, you’ve got to concentrate on your character’s motivations, your next lines, whether the kiss is too long or not long enough, whether the phone is going to ring on cue, yadda-yadda-yadda. I find the approach that works best is embodied in Nike’s recently abandoned slogan, "Just Do It."  Don’t think about it or what anybody else is going to think about it.  It doesn’t mean anything off stage (though it’s often true that non-actors don’t know that), and if it does you still have to pretend otherwise.  So the first time you work through the scene (and I DO mean the FIRST), grab the guy and plant one on him.  It’ll break the ice and get the initial squeamishness behind you.  Trust me. David Heath

Response:

Okay, I "get" to perform my first stage kiss in about 3 months in front of a whole lot of people and I have no clue where to start.

Take it from a fellow female it’s not as bad as it seems :) I agree with everyones advice to get it over with…possibly at the first rehearsal. All of the kiss noises and kisses to the air in place of the real kiss just hinder the situation. It makes "the kiss" a BIG deal. I’ve actually had a director who was uncomfortable with a kiss himself and would always stop rehearsal right at that momment. Grrrr. Hey break the ice with laughter…get some Binaca and right before the kiss whip it out and spray both of you! Don’t worry…..                       Break a Leg!,                                 Jennifer

Response:

I disagree with this post as far as the kiss being unromantic.  It can be very romantic…if it is supposed to and if you both, as performers, reach the level of seperation between yourselves and the characters you are portraying.  Now, the characters are the ones who should be feeling the romance.  If you cannot get the seperation as described in an earlier post, you will not be able to sense it.  I just finished a run as Capt Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and the final days performances reached an almost transendental level.  The children actually became family, and the actor portraying Maria and I got quite emotional with each other.  The intensity that we felt was obvious to the audience.  We got many remarks about our chemistry.  My wife hated the scene, because she saw me (not the character) and looks and intensity that she should be getting, not this other woman.  Actually, the character is where the looks were coming from, but she can’t see the seperation. Now, as far as recommendations, I must echo some earlier suggestions.  First, get comfortable with your partner.  You will never achieve chemistry if your partner repulses you, or if you are not comfortable.  You must trust each other, and have no doubts that your limits will be respected.  Begin by talking to each other.  Find out about each other.  It is actually kind of like dating without the emotional baggage. Second…practice.  It must become second nature to you. Third…dont worry about what kind of kiss, or how long it should be.  As you practice and get more comfortable with each other and with the character, it will come as a natural progression. The kiss should be as spontaneous and intense as the scene calls for.  If you seperate yourself from the character, and let the character respond as it should, everything else should fall into place. As always…have fun with the character and with the show.  If you aren’t having fun, the audience wont either!!! Break a leg! Keith – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Okay, I "get" to perform my first stage kiss in about 3 months in front of a whole lot of people and I have no clue where to start. The guy I’m supposed to kiss is new to this to, and we are both flustered and haven’t gone over this scene together yet. I agree with pretty much everything that’s been said in the first four responses, especially the statement that your director needs to help you through this. Personally, I think stage kissing is about the least romantic thing I’ve ever done — there’s simply too much else going on!  Quite apart from the fact that there are all those people watching, you’ve got to concentrate on your character’s motivations, your next lines, whether the kiss is too long or not long enough, whether the phone is going to ring on cue, yadda-yadda-yadda. I find the approach that works best is embodied in Nike’s recently abandoned slogan, "Just Do It."  Don’t think about it or what anybody else is going to think about it.  It doesn’t mean anything off stage (though it’s often true that non-actors don’t know that), and if it does you still have to pretend otherwise.  So the first time you work through the scene (and I DO mean the FIRST), grab the guy and plant one on him.  It’ll break the ice and get the initial squeamishness behind you.  Trust me. David Heath

Response:

Ellyana,         An experienced director would ordinarly help two novice actors through this "akwardness."  But there’s nothing wrong with you and your co-actor approaching the director with the truth:  "We’re both nervous about this and would appreciate your guidance."         Any time I’ve directed a scene of passion, either on stage or on-camera, I’ve taken the lead with actors by helping them relax with the scene.  Actors are reminded to come to rehearsal armed with toothbush, toothpaste, mouth wash, breath mints and deoderant.  Initial reshearsals of the scene are closed to anybody who is not "necessary personnel."  With some actors, I’ve actually choregraphed an embrace, and by that, I mean much the same process as when I choreograph stage combat…. by the numbers.  Other actors simply need less technical adjustment.           And the point is that you and you co-star need to find a comfort level with each other.  "Safety zones" need to be observed.  Gradually, as you relax, you’ll be able to commit to the action and at least create the illusion of passion.   Break a leg, Bill — THE ACTING STUDIO http://gvtg.com/theactingstudio

Response:

Okay, I "get" to perform my first stage kiss in about 3 months in front of a whole lot of people and I have no clue where to start. The guy I’m supposed to kiss is new to this to, and we are both flustered and haven’t gone over this scene together yet. (Our director’s giving everyone about 2 weeks of ‘free read’ to go over our parts with each other and get to know our characters). So, anyways, can anyone give us any tips on the do’s and don’ts of stage kissing? It’s not the first time I’ve actually kissed, (thank God!!), but kissing about 4 times (all long kisses) in front of my relatives and a lot of others has gotten me and my co-star quite a bit nervous. Please help!!! Anyone!!! Thx!! Ellyana Jacobs

Response:

Okay, I "get" to perform my first stage kiss in about 3 months in front of a whole lot of people and I have no clue where to start.

It’s not as nerve-wracking as you might think.  Rehearse the kiss. Don’t wait for the last minute to do it.  And remember, a kiss might not be a kiss the way you do it in real life.  The character you are playing may not kiss like you do. Think about it. Ed Hooks

Response:

can anyone give us any tips on the do’s and don’ts of stage kissing?

Dear Ellyana, When you kiss onstage it is your character doing the kissing, not YOU. As with everything you do as an actor, you must give yourself to that part of you that is the character, which means, of course, enjoying or not enjoying the kiss as your character would. In acting, we are always, to some extent, split in two.(We never, as some people would have you believe, totally  BECOME the character.)  There is the part of us that is always ourself, standing to one side watching, while at the same time there is that part of us that is living the life of the character in that moment. The trick is to minimize the former and maximize the latter. The "ourself" part is like a guide, while the "character" part acts on the suggestions of "ourself." With the kiss, the "ourself" part must urge the "character" part to live the moment. But if the "ourself" part is watching the audience (or, in your case thus far, the relatives) watching us and wondering how they’re reacting, it cannot do it’s job properly. It is a problem of concentration, but the key to concentration is knowing at EVERY MOMENT precisely what it is we’re supposed to be concentrating ON. There’s more to it, of course, but I’ve tried to keep it brief. I hope it’s not confusing! As far as "don’ts," we must never do anything that might make our partner uncomfortable, which in turn might spoil his or her concentration. Don’t eat garlic or onions before the performance. If you fear your breath might be bad try breath mints. No tongues.  And always remember, for the audience it is the ILLUISION that counts most! Good luck, John Crowther

Response:

Okay, I "get" to perform my first stage kiss in about 3 months in front of a whole lot of people and I have no clue where to start. The guy I’m supposed … So, anyways, can anyone give us any tips on the do’s and don’ts of stage kissing? It’s not the first time I’ve actually kissed, (thank God!!), but kissing about 4 times (all long kisses) in front of my relatives and a lot of others has gotten me and my co-star quite a bit nervous. Ellyana Jacobs

Ok, first you gotta make sure your boyfriend isn’t going to get all pissy about it. I’ve met some girls who have refused to kiss on stage because of their "boyfriends". Not professional at all… If your boyfriend gives you problems, it’s going to effect you on stage. I’m not saying to dump him, but he needs to understand that if you pursue a career in acting, you’ll be kissing a lot. Well at least in movies. Almost 75% of movies involve kissing and sex scenes nowadays. Anyhow, if you’re repulsed by the guy there might be a problem. That you have to deal with yourself. Maybe just close your eyes and pretend he’s someone else (might show through.) Otherwise, just kiss him. If you’re playing a first kiss on stage, a little nervousness is good. But if you’re playing a couple married for years, it’s not. I think you should practice as much as you can, but don’t let the guy feel you up. :) Unless it’s in the script. I’m not really an actor, I’ve done a little, but when I step on stage, that’s as nervous as I can get. But when the curtain goes up, and the audience begins paying attention, I feel fine. I never had to kiss on stage, but well I kissed a guy on film once (if you think kissing someone of the opposite sex is bad…) but the thing that made it easy for me is that I was friends with the guy. We joked about it before the cameras rolled and I think that relieved the tension. We didn’t practice or anything, because it was a nervous explorative moment for the other guy’s character and that came out on film… Me though, I guess I just have the ability to relax myself. Wil… Wil Maxwell http://www.enteract.com/~wmaxwell/info/ Are you an Actor/Actress, extra or model in the Chicago/Illinois area? Would you like to be part of Chicago Casting and get a free webpage? Visit: http://www.enteract.com/~wmaxwell/chi-casting/ for more info

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