The Fifth Exercise: Re-creating Physical Sensations
Purpose
The purpose of this exercise is to help the actor understand that by endowing the
objects and the conditions prescribed by the playwright with imagined realities, she
can produce sensations at will. In part two, you will learn to imaginatively stimulate
sense memories by the conditions that are part of the playwright's given
circumstances.
Presentation
Select an event during which you must deal with three or more conditions. Start by
determining an event the same as you would for any exercise. You will rehearse, as
always, making sure that everything has been particularized. When it is real to you
and can be repeated with spontaneity, rework it by adding one condition. When
such a condition truly affects you and has become truthfully incorporated, add
another condition to the exercise. When this condition is real to you, add the third
condition.
Keep in mind
Keep in mind that these are conditions of the event and not the primary function of a
scene.