As an actor, you’ve heard it before: Your body is your instrument. It’s a cliche for a reason—it’s true. Just as a guitar player or violinist needs to often fine-tune (微调) their instrument, you need to do the same. Here, let’s break down everything you should learn about body language exercises for actors, as well as why they’re necessary in the first place to enhance your acting skills.

Body language is the most emotive form of communication after verbal speech. You can learn so much about what’s going on inside based on what’s being externalized. Think about how some entertainment magazines often ask a “body language expert” to analyze a photo of a celebrity couple. However legit (合法的) that person’s expertise may be, there are many truths when it comes to body language.

By that same reasoning, think about how much an audience can learn about a character based on the actor’s body language. You can pass on subconscious (潜意识的) information about your role without saying a word. These exercises will put you in touch with your body and make you more aware of what you’re expressing to the outside world. They can help you get into the physicality of your character so that you can understand them inside and out.

Each performer is different and may have their preferable body language exercise. Take gait exercises as an example. How a character walks is especially telling; it’s literally how they move through the world. An individual’s way of walking can also change depending on how they’re feeling at the moment: excited, sad, scared, etc. Have a bash at different walking styles to show the person you’re playing. Besides, you can write the gestures. This one is actually a writing exercise, but it will still come in handy when we construct a performance. Write out a short scene between two characters who have an entire conversation using only their body language.

【小题1】What does the author mean by citing “Your body is your instrument.”?

A．Keeping healthy needs proper exercise.

B．Learning some music is necessary for actors.

C．Perfecting physical expression is important for actors.

D．Improving performing skills needs professional guidance.

【小题2】What can we learn about body language from the example in Paragraph 2?

A．It is presented in various ways.	B．It gives us lots of information.
C．It hides deepest feelings.	D．It is likely to be ignored.

【小题3】What is the benefit of taking body language exercises for actors?

A．Getting into the character you’re playing.

B．Inspiring your greater passion for acting.

C．Having realization of your inner body.

D．Receiving more performing chances.

【小题4】Which of the following can replace the underlined part “Have a bash at” in Paragraph 4?

A．Make out.

B．Adapt to.

C．Try out.

D．Bring up.