Ways to Make Your Small Acting Role Stand Out

Many actors get their start in small roles, but these smaller parts can be just as important to the overall performance. Here are some tips on how to make your small acting role stand out so you can shine!

Did you know that every year, only 10% of the roles in Hollywood are for women actors? And out of that 10%, most female characters are secondary to male ones. This is why it’s so important that you make it your best when given a small acting role! Here are some ways to do just that:

  • Develop your character by researching their background and life story.
  • Find meaning in your line readings by studying scripts and analyzing how other actors deliver lines.
  • Practice breathing exercises before filming takes place; this will allow you to be more relaxed on camera.

small rolesHow do I make my acting role bigger?

Make sure you’re well-prepared. Come to rehearsals with your lines learned and your character thoroughly researched. This will show the director that you’re serious about the role and willing to put in the preparation time that any professional actor would.

Stand out physically. It’s an unfortunate fact of the acting world that some people just don’t fit what casting directors are looking for. Fortunately, physical appearance is the easiest thing to change before an audition. So if you don’t stand out physically, make sure you act the part physically. Use body language and physical gestures to bring your character to life.

Make strong choices. Don’t just read the lines the way they’re written on the page. Instead, use your intuition and artistic license to bring the words to life in a way that’s unique to you. This will make your performance stand out from all the other actors auditioning for the role.

Be generous with your time. If the director asks for suggestions or feedback, offer them freely. This will show that you’re invested in the project and that you want to see it succeed.

How can I make the most of a small role?

One of the great things about acting is that there are no small roles, only small actors. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make the most of a minor role. You can do a few things to make sure that your performance stands out and leaves a lasting impression.

It’s important to understand the character you’re playing and how they fit into the overall story. Once you clearly understand your character’s motivations and objectives, you can focus on bringing those qualities to life in your performance.

You should also take care to create a believable character backstory, even if it’s not explicitly mentioned on stage. This will help you stay in character during rehearsals and performances, and it will help you form a clear idea of who this person is.

Another thing that’s often helpful is to create some “anchor.” Sometimes, the director will develop an object for each character that makes them feel grounded in reality. It could be something like a style of hat or jacket, glasses, body language (i.e., specific mannerisms), dialect (if your character comes from another place or has another accent), or scars on their face. This can also come in handy if you ever need to step on stage without any warning during rehearsal without having had time to prepare yourself for the role mentally.