Physical acting

Feel what you’re doing.

Physical acting is more than movement. It’s the ability to sense what you’re doing with your body and use it to create meaning — drama, comedy, nuance, intention. It’s not the same as physical theatre, although it’s essential to it. And it’s crucial for any actor, no matter their style.

All acting is “physical”, whether we think of it like that or not. The audience reads your body before they hear your words. Great actors are “in their body”, even when they aren’t considered physical performers. Their choices show up in posture, hands, attitude, rhythm, silence.

Most acting methods treat the body as something that should be relaxed and ready.

Physical acting treats the body as something that creates.

It’s less analytic and more immediate. Less “why does my character feel this?” and more “what am I doing right now — and how does it read?”

Movement, attitude, gesture, facial expression, tension, release… and yes, the hands.

Hands are one of the biggest practical issues for performers.

What to do with them? How to avoid nervous habits? How to use them as a tool?

These questions, and many others, belong to the core of physical acting training.

This page will gather articles, resources and reflections on physical acting — from simple principles to precise, practical details.

More coming soon.