Lesson 7: Tactics

When people communicate, there is always a purpose.  Moreover, communication is more dynamic than just the words spoken.  It is a very dynamic interaction.  In fact, some research suggests that what you are saying is communicated 90% through body language.  Through all of this dynamic interaction, people uses tactics either subconsciously or consciously.  When a person smiles they are encouraging others to view that person positively and be more receptive to what the person is saying.  
These subconcious or conscious tactics should be used on stage as well.    The actors, as their characters, are trying to accomplish their own goals on the stage.  Therefore, the actor who is able create real pressure through these tactics will be more able to establish his or her magnetism on the stage for the audience and the other actors.

Exercise 1: Using Tactics
Pair with a partner.  Pronounce the following two made up words: "Beetaratagang" (Beet-a-rat-a-gang) and "Cleridipity (Clair-ee-dip-ity).  "Beetaratagang" will mean "Get out of here" and "Cleridipity" will mean "Come over here".  Use nonsense langague and take turn with these situations:

1. Order your acting partner away by saying "Beetaratagang" to him or her.
2. Urge your acting partner to come toward you by saying "Cleridipity" to him or her.
3. Send your partner away with "Beetaratagang" and the draw him or her back with "Cleridipity." Reverse

Exercise 2: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven
Pair with a new partner.  Without touching your partner and only using the words "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven" on each task, try to get the following actions or feelings from your partner:

1. Make your partner sit down next to you.
2. Make your partner kneel before you.
3. Make your partner feel sorry for you.
4. Make your partner happy.
5. Make your partner nervous
6. Make your partner excited
7. Make your parnter scared.