Acting is a craft that adapts to its medium, and nowhere is that more evident than in the worlds of Broadway and Hollywood. Though both require immense talent, discipline, and presence, the skill sets needed for each are vastly different. Broadway actors must deliver flawless live performances night after night, while Hollywood actors rely on multiple takes, editing, and camera work to bring their characters to life.
From the intense rehearsal schedules of Broadway to the unpredictable stop-start nature of film sets, actors must adjust their approach based on whether they are playing to a packed theater or a single camera lens. Let’s explore the challenges unique to both Broadway and Hollywood, and what it takes to excel in each.
1. Pressure & Performance: One Take vs. Multiple Takes
Broadway Acting:
- Every performance is live and unedited, meaning actors have one chance to get it right.
- Mistakes must be handled in real time, whether it’s a forgotten line, a missed cue, or an unexpected audience reaction.
- There are no retakes, so performers must deliver a consistent, high-energy performance every night.
Hollywood Acting:
- Scenes can be filmed multiple times, allowing actors to refine their performance or fix mistakes.
- Directors can adjust lighting, camera angles, and performances to create the perfect shot.
- Actors may have several takes to experiment, but they also must be prepared for long hours of repetition to get a scene just right.
For example, on Broadway, if an actor forgets a line during a live performance of Hamilton, they must improvise or rely on their co-stars to cover the mistake. In Hollywood, if an actor forgets a line during a movie shoot, the director simply calls “cut” and resets the scene.
2. Rehearsal & Preparation: Rigid vs. Flexible
Broadway Acting:
- Rehearsals last weeks or even months, with every movement, line, and cue memorized and choreographed.
- Once the show opens, actors repeat the same performance night after night, requiring stamina and consistency.
- Because the performance is live, actors must be prepared for anything, from technical malfunctions to audience distractions.
Hollywood Acting:
- Rehearsal time is often much shorter, and actors may have only a few days to prepare before shooting.
- Scenes are filmed out of order, requiring actors to jump between emotional moments without experiencing the full story arc in sequence.
- Because performances can be reshot and edited, actors must adjust quickly to directorial changes and last-minute script rewrites.
A Broadway actor might spend six weeks perfecting a musical number, while a Hollywood actor might only have a few hours to rehearse a dramatic scene before shooting begins.
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3. Physical and Emotional Stamina
Broadway Acting:
- Actors perform eight shows a week, requiring incredible physical and vocal endurance.
- Singing, dancing, and acting must be maintained at peak performance levels every night.
- The emotional intensity must be replicated consistently, ensuring that the 100th performance feels just as powerful as the first.
Hollywood Acting:
- Shoots can last 12-16 hours a day, but actors may only perform for a few minutes at a time between takes.
- Scenes are often broken up, meaning an emotional breakdown may be followed by a lunch break before reshooting the same scene.
- Unlike Broadway, where the performance flows naturally from beginning to end, film actors must find ways to summon emotions instantly, even if the scene is filmed out of sequence.
A Broadway actor playing Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen must deliver gut-wrenching emotions night after night, while a Hollywood actor playing a similar role in a film might perform the climactic scene five different ways before the director chooses the best take.
4. Audience Engagement & Energy
Broadway Acting:
- Actors feed off the immediate reaction of a live audience, adjusting pacing and energy accordingly.
- Laughter, gasps, or applause can change how a scene feels, creating a unique experience every night.
- The connection between actor and audience is intimate, with no screen acting as a barrier.
Hollywood Acting:
- There is no live audience, meaning actors must trust the director, editor, and camera crew to shape the final performance.
- Emotional beats are often enhanced by music, editing, and cinematography, rather than audience energy.
- Actors must learn to engage with an invisible audience, performing for the camera rather than for a crowd.
A Broadway actor playing Elphaba in Wicked will pause for audience applause after a powerful song, while a Hollywood actor performing the same song must rely on the film’s music, lighting, and close-ups to enhance the moment.
5. The Role of Improvisation
Broadway Acting:
- While stage performances are highly rehearsed, actors must be quick thinkers in case of mistakes or unexpected events.
- If a fellow actor misses a cue, others must adjust in real-time to keep the show flowing.
- No two performances are exactly the same, as small variations happen each night.
Hollywood Acting:
- While some directors allow for improvisation, most film scenes are performed exactly as scripted, with multiple takes to fine-tune delivery.
- Editing removes mistakes and inconsistencies, meaning actors don’t have to think on their feet as much.
- Certain filmmakers, like Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese, encourage improvised dialogue, but others prefer performances to be carefully controlled.
