The Top 7 "Nevers" of Acting: Things Great Actors Never Do

For an up-and-coming actor or the seasoned artisan of the stage alike, there are many crimes of the stage that an actor should never, ever commit. Beginning with the most simple and ending with the most heinous, here are the top seven "nevers" of acting-what you should never, ever do as an actor, on-stage and off.

7. Never forget your props on stage.
More often than not, you are responsible for bringing your props on and off the stage, and therefore no one to blame but you if you do not remember them. Remember: if it's on the stage, the audience can see it. It is very distracting to an astute audience member (and potential critic) to see a cane from the opening cabaret dance leaning up against what has now become a library's bookshelf. Of course, if the script calls for said cane to remain in the library as a future murder weapon, then this is another matter entirely. You will be directed to leave the prop for the upcoming scene.

6. Never get sick.
Not only for the purpose of attending all rehearsals (never number 5), but staying healthy becomes even more serious when it comes to showtime. Keep yourself healthy. Don't stay out late, get a proper amount of sleep, and wash your hands. If you're in a musical show, rest your voice in between rehearsals and shows. You do not want to have a scratchy throat for a performance. Plus, it is seriously painful for an audience member to listen to the amplified bronchitis of a main character for two acts plus reprise.

5. Never miss rehearsal.
This should be fairly self-explanatory. When you audition for a show, make sure that your calendar will accommodate a busy rehearsal schedule. The only exception for missing rehearsal is an emergency or serious, projectile vomiting, contagious-as-the-plague illnesses (which you shouldn't get anyway, because you'll be following never number 6). This is imperative when you have a supporting role, and only death itself should keep you from rehearsal if you have a major role. There is nothing more frustrating than an actor who misses rehearsal A and attends rehearsal B the next day which is then spent repeating all of rehearsal A. This is stressful for you, your director, and your cast members. Don't put them through it.

4. Never talk back stage or in the wings.
The "wings" are the sections of the stage hidden by the stage curtain, often taped off with glow tape to show the lines of sight. The lines of sight define where an actor can be seen by the audience, even if he cannot see the audience. Once you cross the lines of sight out of the wings, you are on-stage and in character. If you are in the wings or back stage waiting for your entrance, you should not be talking. The audience can hear you and will be distracted by your rude backstage conversation. If there is an emergency-such as a dead microphone-put your mouth directly next to your techie's ear so that if someone was standing two feet from you, they could not hear your conversation. It is that important. This will incense a director into rage if he has to tell you more than once to be quiet backstage.

3. Never miss an entrance.
Be back stage a scene ahead of time, at least a few minutes before your cue. Be paying attention to the show from back stage. Do not force your fellow actors to be great improvisors, waiting for your entrance. The audience will know something is wrong, thus breaking their captivation with your story.

2. Never argue with the director.
This is so very, very important to your show, your co-stars, your relationships with directors, and your acting career. Do not argue with the director. Ever. In your show, the director is basically a god, even if you're the best Broadway actor there is you are still not a god. The director is a god. Therefore, you are polite to him or her and you are not a prima donna. Why? Because as an actor, you are replaceable. When the director gives you a note that you do not agree with, ask for further clarification. The answer to a direction is, "Yes," or "I'll try my best." Do not justify yourself to the director as to why you made the choice you did during rehearsal, whether it was slow on an entrance-"Oh, the costumers kept me"-or missing a line-"Well, Joey cut me off"-the answer is, "I'll fix it" or "I'll get it next time" or simply a nod will be sufficient. If every actor justifies why they were late for a cue, notes at the end of rehearsal will take ages and everyone will be beyond irritated. Remember that your director is under a lot of stress, so help him out by begin agreeable and easy to work with.

And finally, the number one thing an actor should never, ever do on pain of death and breaking the unwritten but impossibly sacred code of acting:

1. Never, ever, ever break character. Ever.

Improvise, improvise; cover, cover. Stroll off stage if you have to, but do not ever break your character. Acting is the ability to remain in the skin of a character for as long as you are on that stage. Nothing will ruin a scene or potentially a show faster or easier if you do not keep your character. If you miss a line, cover. Do not call for a line cue; that is for rehearsals. If someone is supposed to come on and they do not, improvise. "What's that, someone at the door?" "I certainly wish my dear son Biff were here..." "How convenient, a strawberry cream cheese cake!" Hopefully, if your fellow co-stars have read this article, they will be scurrying through the wings ready to rescue you from your improvising.

Remember these seven nevers and notice how quickly stress disappears from your show, how easily your acting skills increase, and how much more confident you feel on the stage. Good luck!