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Do you have any idea how many actors are intimidated by performing Shakespeare<\/a>? It\u2019s an overwhelming number\u2014hell, you might include yourself in that camp. There\u2019s a sense that the material is somehow lofty, important. Actors want to do it justice, and therefore shy away from getting into the nuts and bolts of the text<\/a> and giving it a go. It\u2019s how a lot of actors tend to feel about an iconic role from film, television or (particularly) theatre. How do you go about performing Romeo, Blanche DuBois, John Proctor or Miss Julie when so many actors have done such incredible things before you showed up? This is the task we set ourselves today. Let\u2019s talk about how to act an iconic role.<\/p>\n Acting an iconic role requires work and preparation. Script analysis is paramount, as it will help you unlock the surrounding text and delve into the complexity of the character. No iconic role is without its surrounding elements, so treat your work as a team effort by utilising your co-stars and, most importantly, your director. Finally, maintain the perspective that no matter how famous the character might be, they are totally reliant on your acting skill and personal interpretation to come to life. Treat an iconic role the same as any other.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to think about any advice truly capping off this kind of task\u2014the best way is honestly to play an iconic role and learn from your experience. That aside, what we can offer up are some solid, foundational techniques and strategies that should help you to feel at least somewhat prepared for the role\u2014and challenge\u2014of a lifetime.<\/p>\n Iconic roles are famous. Iconic roles are complex. They\u2019re the sorts of thing that exhibit range from an actor portraying them, and they usually sit within an equally famous work. Funnily enough, an iconic role is not necessarily the lead. Iago<\/a> is a secondary character in\u00a0Othello<\/a><\/em>, as is Biff<\/a> in Death of a Salesman<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>But they are, nonetheless, pivotal characters within their surrounding narratives. They drive the plot and stick in the minds of the audience.<\/p>\n Perhaps for a role to be truly iconic, they have to transcend the work in which you find them. You may never have seen the play\u00a0Hamlet<\/em> to know of its lead character. And you may not even know his name, but odds are you know his most famous soliloquy<\/a>:<\/p>\nWhat is an Iconic Role?<\/h2>\n
You know \u2019em when you see \u2019em. <\/del>No, we can do better than that, although it\u2019s likely the simplest answer there is.<\/p>\n