A death scene is a challenge for a stage actor.Playing the part too subtly can leave the scene devoid of emotion, while giving for an over the top performance can make it difficult for the audience to believe you.The way in which the character dies is the key to an effective death scene, so your co-stars and the audience are all caught up in the scene.
Step 1: Prepare the fight.
When you're playing a character who dies a violent death, there is a fight that precedes the actual death.Whether your character is killed by a knife, gun, or some type of beating, you may need to engage in a struggle prior to death.It's important that you and your co-stars are not injured because of the action that will lead up to that moment.In most plays, the director usually takes care of the details of fights and other choreographed action, but make sure that you understand exactly how the scene will play out and run through it with your co-stars.Some violent deaths are preceded by a fight.It is possible for your character to be shot or stabbed from across the stage.There isn't an altercation with another character if your character is taking his or her own life by violent means.The moment is believable if you understand the actions you must take before the death occurs.
Step 2: At the moment of impact, what to do?
The actions that you take can vary depending on the method used to kill your character.If you are stabbed, it might be more believable for you to fall forward onto the person who stabbed you.If you are shot, the force of the bullet will likely propel you backwards.You can come up with a convincing way to react to a death blow if you consider the nature of the death.If your director has an idea of how you should react at the moment of impact, make sure it feels authentic to you.If you don't believe in the performance, you will not be able to sell a convincing death.It isn't always a violent death that has a moment of impact.As the poison is starting to take effect, you might want to cough or wretch to sell the death.If you want to be convincing, don't go over the edge with gagging and coughing.Special stage directions and effects may be required for certain types of death.The death is convincing if you understand all of the technical aspects, but also to make sure you don't hurt yourself.
Step 3: Collapse to the stage.
Collapse to convey that you are dying after your character has been shot, stabbed, beaten, or otherwise injured.In some cases, your co-star can guide you to the stage if you are in another actor's arms.If you are standing by yourself, there is no one to help you slow down.Collapse in stages to minimize impact.Drop to your knees first so you don't fall too far.Depending on where you are on the stage during the death scene, you may be able to use scenery or a prop to help you fall.You can collapse against a table or column to help slow down the fall.Allowing your body to go limp is the most convincing way to fall.Convulsions and other distractive gestures tend to be over the top.
Step 4: Continue through your final lines.
You want to deliver your lines in a convincing way if you have lines to recite just before your character dies.The trauma associated with a violent death would make it difficult for your character to speak.Before closing your eyes, try to mimic labored breathing and recite the lines with a halt.It's important to consider who your character is speaking to.If you're speaking to the murderer, they should come out harsher, as opposed to a friend or loved one.
Step 5: Find the right position.
If your character is dying of cancer or old age, you will most likely be in a bed or chair for the death scene.If your character dies suddenly of a heart attack, you may be standing at the time of death and have to collapse as you would with a violent death.You have to plan how you will act out the moment of death if you don't understand the staging.If your character dies in bed, loved ones may gather around.It makes sense to embrace or hold a co-star's hand if that is the case.To find out what the best approach is, check with the director.
Step 6: Determine how much pain your character is in.
The scene is usually more subtle when you are acting out a natural death.It's important to have an idea of how much pain your character is in because death by natural causes can still be painful.If you're playing a character who dies because his heart stops, you might not experience much pain.If your character dies of a heart attack, you may experience intense pain.It is possible to convey pain in a variety of ways, but grimacing and sharp intakes of breath are effective.If your death scene involves a heart attack, you may want to clutch at your chest or arm.
Step 7: Deliver your final words quietly.
When you're playing a character who dies of natural causes, the scene often involves quietly drifting off.It's a good idea to deliver your final lines in a weak voice to show how frail your character is.You could whisper the lines or give your voice a throaty quality.While you want to keep your voice low to make the death scene believable, you shouldn't go for a real life whisper, just a stage whisper so everyone in the theater can hear you.To make sure you are heard, practice with a cast or crew member at the back of the theater.
Step 8: A convincing final position is what you should choose.
Your character will stay on the stage for a short time after the death.If you want to sell the death, you should either die on your stomach or back to the audience.It won't be obvious that you're still alive after your character dies.It's important to practice your final position for the death.You don't want to have to adjust yourself in the middle of the scene.
Step 9: Keep going.
Even though you're no longer involved in the play's action, it doesn't mean your work is done.The other cast members need to believe that your character is dead so they can play the emotions that they go through in the aftermath.They can be pulled out of the moment if you use your thumb to scratch the palm of your hand.To find out if there is a way to hide you, talk to the director.It would be appropriate for the other characters to cover you with a sheet.It could be possible to stage the death so that they can lower the lights back on the stage.
Step 10: Take shallow breaths.
You can still be seen by your co-stars and the audience even if you are hidden.Even if you are doing your best to remain still, there may be movement that shatters the illusion.If you have to remain on stage after the death, try to take slow, shallow breaths so your chest doesn't move as much.Keeping your mouth closed and breathing through your nose can help keep your breathing shallow.You have some time before you need to breathe in again, so try to take as deep a breath as you can.You can hide it by gasping or shuddering.
Step 11: The genre should be considered.
It's important to consider the genre of the play or skit when preparing for your death scene.If the play is a tragedy, you want to portray the death in a serious way.If your play is a comedy, it may call for a more over the top take on the death.Building up fear and suspense is an important part of a death scene.The audience will feel the fear of the character you are playing in the moments before the death.
Step 12: Determine the mode of death.
It's a good idea to study up on the way that you're dying so you know what your character will experience.If you do an online search for symptoms of a heart attack, you will be able to mimic the gestures a person would make.You might want to think about how realistic your death scene should be.In some modern, avant garde theater, the goal may not be realism but a bold artistic statement.
Step 13: Talk to the person in charge.
It's best to have a discussion with the director before you start thinking about how you will play the death scene.He or she will have clear ideas about how the scene should unfold, which can help guide you in the right direction.The director may be able to help you understand your character's emotions during the death scene.You need to be comfortable with the staging and interpretation of the scene because you are the one who has to play it.