We have a thief among us!

I’ve often thought that it would have been nice if God had given humans the ability to look in two different directions at the same time.  Wouldn’t that be great!  We have two eyes.  Why can’t one eye look at one thing and the other something else?  But we can’t.  Instead we must train both eyes on the same object, person, sign, etc. 

A few years ago, I was cast as a policeman in a show.  In that show there was a scene in which my character walked across the stage, sat down in a chair, poured a glass of wine and drank it.  My character sat there and drank that wine while the other characters were on the other side of the stage acting out their scene. 

One night, I sat down and poured my self a drink and noticed a cigar sitting on the table, (that had always been there).  On this night, I picked up the cigar and smelled it by dragging it lengthways underneath my nose.  My character thought it smelled good.  I looked over at the other actors who were busy acting out their scene.  They weren’t looking at me, so I cautiously slipped the cigar in my pocket, (and then began drinking my glass of wine.)

          After the show several people mentioned the cute little thing I had added.  Including the director.  She really seemed to like that my character was stealing the cigar.  

          After thinking about it, I decided that unless the director point blank asked me to, I would “not” do it in any of the future performances of that show.  Why not?  After all the good comments I got? 

          Because, although I had taken a cigar, in reality, I had stolen the scene. 

          People can only look at one character, (or scene), at a time, the audience, (or at least a portion of it), had been watching me and not the scene on the other side of the stage.  Years later I can’t remember what the other characters were talking about, but I can assure you that the playwright intended for the audience to watch their scene and listen to their words.  The playwright did not intend for the audience to look away from the other scene on stage and watch me steal that cigar, (or that scene). 

          Now it’s also true that you don’t want a character to freeze, but they should do something not very noticeable.  Sitting off to the side sipping their drink, or silently talking to someone, or looking thru a magazine is all fine.  But if it is your job to "not be watched" by the audience, then don’t make “eye grabbing” motions. 

There will be many times that a character will take a back seat to the action or dialogue on the stage.  Don’t hesitate to do that.  Take the back seat.  Wait your turn.  We’re actors.  By definition I believe that actors should want to be seen, but do not steal the scene.

Directors?  Be on the lookout for this.  Always keep in mind where you want the audience’s attention to be focused.  All the way thru the play you need to be thinking, “Where should the audience be looking”. 

Make sure your actors understand. 

Tell them, “No scene stealing in church!”