The loss of a loved one and never having the chance to say goodbye. Your own death and the limited time you have of life. A tragic mistake from childhood that can’t be resolved or made up for. Be warned that acting sad is a very good way to actually make yourself sad. [2] X Research source Be careful pretending for too long.
Frown and pout your lips. Both expressions are common displays of sadness. Lower your gaze and turn your face away from the person you are talking with as though hiding or embarrassed. Furrow your brow to show nervousness, consternation, frustration, or displeasure. Look resigned or exasperated by raising your eyebrows and if in prolonged surprise. This communicates something like “I still can’t believe things are this bad. ”
Slump your shoulders and upper body downward to show the exhaustion and insecurity that come from sadness. Turn your body away from the person you are talking to as though protecting yourself from further hurt. Clutch your body or fold your arms in front of you to symbolize closing yourself off from the other person’s attempt to cheer you. Touch your face to display a key gesture of sadness and self-comfort.
Rub your eyes hard to work up small tears and leave visible redness. Why fake the tears when you can have them for real? There are a few good ways to actually cry on command that can amp up your sad game.
Yawn silently. You are likely to yawn more loudly when waking up in the morning, but yawn more quietly when communicating a need for sleep. Close your eyes and sigh as though just this one moment of rest is helpful.
Give the impression that you have lost interest in things you once enjoyed. For example, pretend you did not watch the latest sporting event and don’t care how it turned out. Start to say something but then stop yourself as though communicating just isn’t important anymore. Toy with things absent-mindedly, such as the edge of your sleeve, twigs or leaves, chipping paint, etc.
Mention casually that you haven’t spoken to friends in a while and have been spending time alone. Respond to invitations by saying “maybe” in a way that invites the person to infer you mean “no. ” Stop listening while the other person talks. Do this in order to show disinterest or interrupt them as though you weren’t really listening.
Give your character red eyes and a red, sore nose to show evidence of crying. Could you add a dirty sleeve covered in tears and snot? Unkempt hair and a messy overall appearance show detachment and lack of interest. Dark circles around your eyes indicate a lack of sleep, which is a common sign of sadness.
Scatter tissues everywhere and include an empty tissue box or two. Include discarded or half-finished projects. Show evidence of the anger that often accompanies sadness by featuring destroyed toys, art, furnishings, or clothing.
Yawning and a slumped posture. Slow, slothful movements. Leaning against furniture or nodding off a little when you aren’t speaking.
Lower your gaze and avoid looking directly at the other characters on stage. Stare off stage as though unconnected to your surroundings. Maybe make eye contact with someone in the audience. Your character will appear detached from those on stage, but the connection with another person allows you to use smaller gestures such as facial expressions. Toy with objects on stage as though you are lost in thought or moving absentmindedly. Don’t respond to the emotions of the other characters to indicate your detachment. Don’t react to sudden movements or loud sounds to show your brooding, disinterested state.
Fall into heap of tears, covering or shrouding your face as you sob. Cross your forearm across forehead and look away in the classic theatrical pose of woe and sadness. Speak through sobs or loud moans. Hug and clutch at the other actors, pulling and cloying at them to show your character’s tragic abandon. Maybe you can really shed tears on the stage. Remember, there are a hundred ways to get yourself to fake cry, but in the end it only matters if the audience cries. [9] X Research source Keep the melodrama within the bounds of the performance. In other words, don’t go overboard.
It might be easier to make your nose red by rubbing it than by using makeup.
