How to CRY for Acting! Tips + Advice

[@hanne9100]

When she cries in front of strangers it’s “art” and “exceptional acting” When I cry in front of strangers it’s “dramatic” and “ruining their day”

[@broadwaynerd341]

Ma name is Hannah too... HI

[@madiyourdaddy]

double standards smh..

[@katherinehoward2121]

²tiny two

[@raccoonmotion5681]

Same

[@clayhendrix9010]

you prolly dont care but if you are stoned like me atm then you can stream all of the latest series on InstaFlixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of days :)

[@angelvalentine5478]

“Let’s talk about crying.” me when I talk about school

[@raccoonmotion5681]

Exactly

[@derpderplul]

Fun Fact: during the Falsettos revival when Christian had to cry in bed with Andrew he had onions in his pockets so he’d put his hand in them and touch his face just to cry in cue. I found the trick clever but he probably didn’t smell the best at the time lol.

[@pfftxoxo1502]

derpderplul anyone would cry during that show

[@averysavory7409]

omg hhfgdhs big brain moment christian

[@lacebird9548]

"First we take over Broadway and then the world" has permanently entered my vocabulary XD

[@miarooski]

Guess you could say It’s easy for her to steel our hearts

[@nongandrews7750]

@@miarooski omg 😂

[@phoenix-nc4yg]

"We all have our personal things and our own battles and demons going on." - Kathrine Steele Please remember this everybody

[@pandasandmore1322]

phoenix yesss

[@carolinerideout4251]

how does ben platt sob while perfectly singing words fail? i don’t understand.

[@bitchass7198]

broadway trashcan that man is a legend

[@Gcherry64]

broadway trashcan I was shook when I first saw that! 😭😭😭

[@AiyanaWolfe]

According to him, it's easier to sing after crying

[@AJKoehler]

Bc it’s staged. Crying and singing do not mix. You’ll get way too much phlegm and it’ll mess up your sound for a little bit.

[@TheWiseGrif]

nope, he worked with his vocal coach to figure out how and when to deal with the phlegm and mucus while singing, because he's literally crying

[@kiera6239]

My favourite method for crying is thinking about how pure Ben Platt is and how beautiful his voi- *sobbing* and I’ve done it again

[@12345cisumevoli]

I totally agree about not utilizing personal trauma! I’ve had several people tell me to use personal trauma not only to cry, but also just to get into character. It’s just never sat well with me, and I can only imagine how poorly I would perform after.

[@Kath_Steele]

Yeah, everytime I try it I just feel icky & out of control, haha

[@lilynielsen6437]

same. I use menthol chapstick when I'm desperate.

[@alwaysrootingfortheantihero123]

It really makes you go insane. You can’t heal when you keep crying over it.

[@Equipy]

I googled this this morning and found nothing useful wow Katherine a legend coming in clutch

[@Kath_Steele]

👏👏

[@bethanderson7132]

Lol am I the only one who wants like a vid or something of Katherine literally just telling us every show and role she’s had in her life because I’m curious😂

[@Gcherry64]

Beth Anderson O MY GOODNESS YES!

[@tatianat.9959]

Yaas

[@bubblegumanimations4561]

Crying in front of strangers is your favorite hobby too!?!?

[@Lety-Ferreira]

I've only played one character that had to cry onstage, and it was Eponine from Les Mis. In my production, the director said that it was okay if I couldn't cry as long as I could act as if I was trying to fight back those tears. Honestly for me it was quite easy because On My Own/A Little Fall Of Rain always makes me really emotional

[@treestout9270]

Lety Ferreira NONONONO THOSE SONGS MAKE ME CRY SO BAD (i was in les mis- young eponine sadly) BUT OMGG

[@morrannells1774]

How many Trina "I can cry on cue" references can we get? 😂 But thanks for another great video Kath! I've found that it's easier for me to cry if I can disconnect from everything else and just focus on the emotions in that scene (not _everything_ else, but you know what I mean). But I will definitely use this tips! Thank you again 💛

[@liliawolf1621]

morrannells I can cry on cue but so can you

[@broadwaybaby9706]

I'm breaking down. I'M BREAKING DOWN. DOOOOWNN DOWWWNN

[@jessica23claire]

you ask me is it fun to cry over noTHING? IT IS, I'M BREAKING DOOOOOOWwwnnn

[@rancidprince3133]

(I thought the same thing, ha!)

[@fjz10706]

Finally others who made that connection

[@peachygrace3523]

Woop woop feels good to be early!!!!! P.S Nobody can beat Phillipa Soo's cry when Philip died in stay alive reprise

[@emilykate0835]

Kaylyn Thrasher I see your Philippa Soo in Stay Alive reprise and raise a Ben Platt in Words Fail

[@bubblegumanimations4561]

Emily Ostmeyer I’m going all in with Kristen Chenoweth’s tears in for good (Idina had to freaking wipe her face)

[@brontehobson-scott5142]

Kaylyn Thrasher couldn’t agree more! Such a moving song but I can never stop crying when they say shhh i know I know

[@Gcherry64]

Emily Ostmeyer I was going to say Ben Platt as Evan Hansen in Words Fail! The way he could sing and wrench your heart out at the same time was priceless.

[@Ampersandinmyeye]

Kaylyn Thrasher that’s not even acting though. It’s beyond acting. Pure emotion oooof

[@gabbykingmusic]

‘Falsettoland (Reprise)’ is a great way to start crying... and then never stop

[@rileysings7167]

I can relate

[@liliawolf1621]

who gave you the right

[@fjz10706]

Agreed

[@alexcontianos8934]

that “AND THEN THE WORLD” was v intense that time, i loved it😂❤️

[@mackenzimacko4778]

Love you Katherine! I honestly just think of the phantom singing “christine I love you” and then THE WATERWORKS START FLOWING 😭😭😭

[@CobaltLn]

I am not an actress why do I love your videos so much? Oh yeah, it’s because you’re ADORABLE and CHARMING! I also really appreciate how nurturing you are through your theater education- you want to welcome others into your community, not alienate them. Thank you for that, Kath ❤️

[@Kath_Steele]

Oh my goodness, thank you!!! ♥️

[@CobaltLn]

Katherine Steele aw of course! (Thank you so much for replying ahh! **fangirls**) ❤️

[@Artbymee-r7h]

My grandpa died two years ago. Even though you told me not to, I use it. But here’s what I do. I have always been awkward and not popular. He always gave me advice for what to do, so when I want to cry I tell myself that he left me in a time of need, but when I need to stop i tell myself that he did everything to stay alive, though I do agree with her, trauma can be uncontrollable.

[@daxrossel5705]

I save all these advise videos. I dont know when I will need them but honestly bless you for these

[@erinlouise7219]

I'm playing Mary Warren in The Crucible in a couple weeks so this came at the best time! Thank you!😊

[@idk_wuz_here767]

Oh my God, thank you, thank you, thank you. I have to cry three times in my middle school play and you've save my life.

[@erinlouise7219]

what play are you doing?

[@meganmeagher7038]

“Hey today we’re gonna talk about one of my favorite hobbies, crying in front of strangers”

[@AlyssaRenee116]

I totally agree with what you were saying about personal experiences. It can be really dangerous and bad for your mental health if you take your own trauma and put it onstage. I know as actors we want to give the most honest performance possible, but it needs to be both truthful and safe. A tip one of my professors gave me was to conjure an experience parallel to your own. Say you are doing a scene where your character gets broken up with. Think to yourself "This experience is SIMILAR to the time I was broken up with," not "I am going to imagine that breakup while I am onstage." Keeping that separation really helps prevent you from acting unsafely. It also helps to really dig into the specifics of your character's life rather than conjuring from your own. Hope this helps some people!

[@thatoneannoyingsoprano8066]

it’s like you read my mind! my school is currently doing godspell and i’m having a bit of an issue crying during the last scenes. this is perfect!

[@alexmamalian441]

The timing of this could not be more perfect! I'm currently playing Mary Warren in the Crucible and I have to cry in literally every scene I'm in and I had been looking for a video like this for so long! This was so helpful!

[@Kath_Steele]

Omg I know that feeling. I played Abigail a few years ago, that was a VERY cry-heavy show, haha! Break a leg!!!

[@alexmamalian441]

omg I bet you were amazing as abigail! thank you so much!!❤️❤️❤️

[@akidspointofview9262]

Thank you so much. I have always loved acting and I recently decided it was going to be my career and I just got cast in a short film! It is a sad and dark short film and I need to cry in a lot of the scenes. I didn’t really know how so I was like “KATHERINE CAN HELP” and I immediately came here and I was not disappointed. You help me so much to be successful thank you so much. I love you!

[@Gcherry64]

A Kids Point of View Congratulations on being cast! Break a leg! 😄

[@Kath_Steele]

Yay!! Happy to help!!

[@Jose-nu6rj]

Last time I was this early heather chandler was still alive 😂 love ya kath

[@imanibrown5349]

Now that I think about it, it was extremely hard getting into the right headspace to perform after trying to channel something personal. This was really helpful! Love your channel❤

[@aribelle4357]

Yessss I needed this! I’m so bad at ‘crying’ thanks kat!

[@beltingtokra]

This video is so good. I did front of house for a professional production of King Lear. In the first scene, Ophelia was doing the "silent tears", but i didn't feel the connection or why she was crying. All i could think was "hey, she's crying, that's amazing", which completely took me out of the story 😲

[@eggwonna]

I am always apprehensive when I see advice about crying on cue because of the reasons you mentioned, so thank you for giving substantial and safe advice! My theatre teachers always warn against using personal trauma for acting because it will easily take you over and bring you to a dark place personally. Or if you use real grief from the death of a loved one, it will eventually desensitize you and turn your sweet memories of them into a tool instead of the treasure they really are.

[@michaelaalcordo1614]

This’ll really help me! I’ve always wondered how crying on cue could be done! Thanks Kath! ❤️

[@TheaterRaven]

Great video, Katherine! And I agree that, if you're not feeling it--any expression of emotion, not just crying--don't try to force it. One of my favorite quotes on acting comes from Lon Chaney, a famous silent film star. At the time, he was playing Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and, in a bit of advice to his younger leading lady who was playing Esmeralda, he said, "Remember, you are an actress, and an actress' job is to make THE AUDIENCE feel. Don't worry about working yourself up to the point where you cry real tears or are really torn apart inside. If you do not make the audience feel those things, you're not playing the part well."

[@LindsayBallif]

In an acting class that I've been taking recently, (For film.) we have talked a lot about script analysis, audition process, the method process, etc. Something REALLY REALLY helpful that I learned is: 1. ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE ENOUGH, AND IF YOU DO NOT END UP CRYING THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SUCK. OKAY. "You are enough, you are so enough, it is UNBELIEVABLE HOW ENOUGH YOU ARE!!!!" ~Sierra Boggess. (We didn't learn that Sierra Boggess quote but I needed to insert that in there. ) 2. Do what you can, no matter what your process is, accept that you can do it and do what you need to do (safely) to get into that specific psycho-emotional state and if that doesn't cause tears but it causes an emotion than that's awesome! You got somewhere! Also, awesome video Katherine. I am so proud to be a part of the Theatre Thursday Fam. It seems like I have given up on my musical theatre career because no opportunities have come my way and whenever I watch your videos it reminds me to keep going. I am working on becoming an actor in film, I'm signing with an Agency in two weeks, and I'm still working on my musical theatre craft and acting craft. My heart soars when I watch your videos, because they remind me that I am in this field to inspire, a lot like you are. So thanks Katherine! Keep it up girl.

[@anneblackwood9013]

This is such perfect timing! I'm in a talent competition, and I wanted to see if I'd be able to tear up a little in a song. Thank you!

[@katiemelina]

I saw when you were showing some of the characters you played that you played Fiona. Can you please do a character tutorial on Fiona?

[@smashley1109]

YES PLEASE I'm playing Fiona right now and would love to see that!!

[@morganchampagne7153]

I watched this video a couple of months ago, along with many other videos about crying, and I’ve realized over time that the more practice I’ve done the more I’ve improved. I can do it really well now. I’m not quite at the point of the physical tears but I can get the breathing down, shaking, and my eyes filling with tears. There are lots of things I can cry about so I just think about those. I’d just like to give a huge thanks, Kath!💕❤️

[@ariespecula]

UGH KATHRIENE IM SO HAPPY U MADE IT TO 60,000! U DESERVE IT!!

[@Kath_Steele]

Thank you!!! 🎉🎉

[@zoliberencsi573]

I LOVE CRYING INFRONT OF STANGERS

[@desireekane6782]

I’ve been hoping for a video on this! Thank you so much! Ilysm!

[@bitchass7198]

Desiree Kane if that’s Misha in your profile picture we can be best friends

[@ameliamorgan2287]

I was trying to fake cry while watching this video and it was a very small tear, but that's a start. I think a lot of people think if you can't do something straight away, you can't do it all

[@kyrah.13]

I'm in Fiddler right now, and we have been discussing how to apply emotions to scenes while still remaining aware enough (Anatevka being a big one for this) of our surroundings. This was very helpful and I think alot of our cast could benefit from it! Good job, love your channel! 10/10, would recommend!

[@fayclark9423]

Thank you so much Kath. I’m doing Blood Brothers for my GCSE Drama exam (which in England are massive exam that you do when you are 15/16) and I need to cry on cue. You always help me out, thank you Kath ❤️

[@jellyfishyishy]

why are you crying???? *cue vines*

[@sweetForgiveness]

I know what you ment. When Keala sattle sung that slow bit of this is me at the Oscars and It sounded like she would held back her tears i totally instantly start crying and so many thoughts went throug my had what an emotional journey It must have been for her standing Now at the oscars and perfom that Song. Totally sobbing till the end of the song while she was Killing It.

[@kdaviesabc123]

Oh my god, so my grandpa is sleeping in the living room and I am WAS quietly eating fruit loops and I saw that you posted I screamed and woke up my grandpa who then screamed. Love you so much

[@Kath_Steele]

😂

[@heytheatre7491]

omg I was just thinking about what makes me cry and the different times I have cried while watching the video and then I started crying! whoops XD I know personally, something that helps me cry on command, and also makes me cry harder when I'm actually crying is talking through the emotion. This could be really good for on camera acting... right before your scene talking through everything you're upset about makes it become the only thing on your mind and much more powerful. (for example if you say out loud every little thing that this character is experiencing and would be upset about) Great video as always

[@MrsNickJerryJonas77]

This helped me sooooo much with a monologue for an acting class to not use someone I knew and a personal experience or trauma to get my point across. Thank you so much!!

[@lexim1430]

I am really big into essential oils, so I put peppermint on my cheekbones. The minty smell comes up and really makes your eyes water. Just whatever you do don’t tout how your eyed because then the peppermint will get in them and it burns

[@giannchan6752]

Omg your new profile picture is really cute 😍

[@Kath_Steele]

Thank you!!! ♥️♥️

[@andrewmarbut9348]

YESSS SLAY QUEEN OF THEATER!! #theatertuesdayfam up here! Love love your videos! Question: tips for sending fan mail? Thanks!

[@skylar_sparks]

You want to know how I cry? I listen to the I love you song from spelling bee Edit: oooh I've been noticed also what makes me cry is that when she thinks of chimerical (unreal) is her parents saying I love you and then coming all together as a family and say that they love one another ( also I don't laugh at "cause' depression runs in our family" because I'm already sobbing by then)

[@Kath_Steele]

^relateable

[@elliart7432]

Sonia Nevermind BIG MOOD

[@XvpandaX]

You wouldnt believe it, but the last video i watched before this was the love song this is so strange

[@maddymensour]

Sonia Nevermind mood

[@jessica23claire]

MAMA MAMA MA-MAAAAAAAAA

[@rileysings7167]

This helped so much! Thank you! Your videos are always so helpful

[@allthewayfromatoz3855]

I went to this amazing masterclass about subtext and the fantastic woman leading it said that as actors we all carry a bag with our past experiences, and that can make our acting better. But, if put some stuff in your bag that you aren’t ready to, then you’re no longer acting. You’re just hurting yourself. She said to only use past experiences if you’re over them and have recovered, and only put the stuff you’re ready to in the bag. And that’s kinda stuck with me and reminded me that harming myself for my passion isn’t healthy, and that I need to filter what goes into my bag, and what I use from it.

[@christinadyches9897]

Katherine you are such an inspiration and i love your voice and you are super awesome!!! thanks for all the help and tips that you post! Love your channel 💛

[@Kath_Steele]

♥️♥️♥️

[@surajs3243]

Thank you for this; I have an acting class scene study assignment where I need to cry, and this has definitely helped

[@Kath_Steele]

Happy to help!!

[@Clazzaaa1708]

Fun tip!! A technical thing my friend told me about crying on cue; if you physically have to get tears running down your face for film or theatre, is it's about giving your eyes an irritant and the easiest way to stimulate that is literally don't blink because air irritates your eyes. It's really tricky to do without looking like a crazed serial killer but once you get the technique down of being able to move your eyes and squint so that it looks as if you're blinking and you're not just staring at someone with wide crazy Bambi eyes, it's actually really effective and if you rehearse it well, you can time it down to a few seconds so you really are crying "on cue"

[@marianna7323]

i needed this!! i just got my first lead role as natalie in all shook up in a middle school musical, and it says that i am supposed to cry, so this was very helpful to me! i probably won't have to actually cry but if i do, i'm prepared now! :)

[@jazminefloresvillar7694]

I still can't believe I met you yesterday!! I love you and thanks for the tips!

[@Gcherry64]

Jazmine Floresvillar YOU MET KATHERINE! I'm SOOOO jealous!😮

[@jazminefloresvillar7694]

Cherry K YES IT WAS AMAZING!! I was really awkward though 😂

[@maryannkoretoff1023]

U r a literal life saver I watch you sooo much and have pages of notes I've taken on your videos. Keep doing what your doing! Because of you I'm closer to my dream of being an actress!!

[@TimidTracker]

Thank you! This will be so helpful for an audition monologue I would love to do where the stage direction is [collapses on the floor sobbing]. Love you!

[@nandabguedes]

Omg thank you for mentioning not using personal trauma, I was actually considering that but it’s so unhealthy aaaah

[@brontehobson-scott5142]

I literally love your videos! Thanks for the help! I’m 13 and have loved theatre since I was 6! Thank you for the advice that I’ll hold with me for my whole life❤️ lots of love from England Xx

[@dovey751]

Another great video! Also very excited for your second channel!!

[@Ampersandinmyeye]

I needed this video about 48 hours ago. We had a one act performance that I had to cry in and I did TERRIBLE with it! We’re bringing it to a compitionon Friday and Saturday, so I’ll try and use it then. Wish us luck!

[@Kath_Steele]

Break a leg!! ♥️

[@bubblegumanimations4561]

Anna Rhoda Good luck in your performance! I hope you cry lots of tears (the only situation where saying that is a good thing)

[@Gcherry64]

Anna Rhoda Break a leg! 👏👏👏

[@2baseman788]

OMG this amazing I’m doing Fiddler on the Roof and have been struggling with the last scene THX SM💖💖💖🎭🎭🎭

[@shayekulit]

The tips really helped me cry on command, now I'm not afraid to get casted in drama plays. Thanks a lot Kath!

[@annekristine2389]

i have never been this early and i am glad to watch something i really need right now!! Thank you sooooo much you are an inspiration!

[@autumncortright]

Omg god bless 😅 I’m playing Juliet in a show that opens real soon and this is the biggest challenge!!

[@jennymurphy2666]

Ahhhh I love these videos so much! I’ve actually been trying to work on this a lot recently so this was so helpful! ❤️

[@Kath_Steele]

Yay!! Happy to help!!

[@jazlyndingfelder98]

YES YES YES. that CUSP right before crying. Prime example: 25th Anniversary of Phantom of the Opera (with Sierra Boggess) right after “Wishing You we’re Somehow Here Again” HOLDING BACK those tears keep your audience RIGHT on the cusp - on the edge of your seat PRAYING that they release that buildup of tension.

[@greekchick104]

The one thing that will never fail to make me cry is the movie If I Stay. I'm not kidding. If you ever need to get into a sad cry feeling or if you are just having a bad day and need a good cry to feel better, I 100% recommend it.

[@guilhermemergulhao]

one thing I always try to do (I don't know if it's healthy tho lol) is just stop blinking for a moment. your eyes will start to get drier and you will, eventually, drop some tears to keep the hydration going on them. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I thought it'd be good to share! love u, kath

[@Gcherry64]

Guilherme Mergulhão This can be helpful. It depends on the person. I know some people that this is really useful, but for me it just doesn't work.

[@elliemenohpee]

Yay, thank you for this video!! I'm playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast and need to work up some tears and these are awesome tips from one of my favorite youtubers:)

[@alexapelayo-saenz6035]

Ahhhhhh I'm playing Rapunzel in into the woods too and I'm so glad I found your channel!!! Thank you so much! ❤❤

[@caprirunyan1281]

love love love your videos!!❤ I would love to see a vid on tips for being in a musical for the first time/audition tips/what to expect as I am planning on trying out for my high school musical next year! :)

[@Gcherry64]

Capri Runyan She has a few videos on it (although I too would like her to make some more). Being a part of a high school production can be a LOT of fun!👌😄

[@drfrog5426]

I actually have a performance soon but I haven’t been able to cry yet! Thank you for this video, it’s like you read my mind!

[@DramaTenor]

Honestly this is a tip in acting I need help on a lot. Thank you so much! Also your always so happy and bring so much joy. So crying and Katherine is such a weird topicz

[@Kath_Steele]

Yay!! Happy to help!!

[@anneblackwood9013]

You are so amazing. I love your videos sooo much, and I'm so proud to be a part of the #TheatreThursdayFam

[@kirakoraawesome]

I'm not the most interested in acting, and I'm rather terrible at it, but your videos are amazing and make me want to try it again! Thanks for producing this amazing content!

[@feijra]

i´ve been wanting this video for so long! thanks kath!

[@guacamolegoddess1342]

Something that helps is replicating the breathing patterns to start off, but backstage sometimes I read some excerpts from The Outsiders, genuinely. I’ve done that before!

[@lalalalaaAa123]

I had to cry on cue for a play this fall. I had to enter with tears coming down my face after having exited with a smile 40 seconds earlier. I was proud of myself when I could do it!

[@atr7786]

Currently living for your videos

[@malloryotsuka4776]

This helped me so much, I'm playing Susan in Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, and I have to cry during Aslan's death scene, and I've really been struggling with it. Thank you!!

[@ZoeAzpurua]

I’ve got to say that you are definitely my favorite youtuber omg

[@kennaspilker7152]

Oml 😂 this is so funny because I literally just got home from an acting class about how to cry on cue 😂 I’m shook

[@Kath_Steele]

🔮🔮🔮

[@fateisstrange1955]

Ahhh I love all of your theatre tips and advice, keep up the great work. Also as a general question, how does one go about being less awkward in interactions on stage? I'm mostly asking this because whenever I get on stage one of the biggest critiques that I get from my director is that I look extremely awkward when I do something like hugging someone else, How do I go about acting more natural in situations like these?

[@Gcherry64]

Thank you so much Katherine! I was just about to request this video and but it's here now so I don't need too! 😄💜

[@kkmmrew]

the running joke in my theatre is that i'm type cast for my crying because my last 3 roles have been Chava in fiddler, Rapunzel in woods and Liesl in sound of music.

[@jessica23claire]

Oh you want to cry? Go listen to Valjean's Death in Les Mis. ALWAYS gets me. Unlikely Lovers from Falsettos broke me when I saw it live, too.

[@doritovlogs_9447]

Hey Katherine! I love your videos. Can u make one where you talk about all the roles you’ve played or your favorite ones?

[@pinkbway]

I 100% agree. You should never force it! In the show I’m in rn, my character has to cry. Some days I will cry and some days I won’t. Depends on the energy of the audience and how the show goes. If you understand the character you are portraying it’ll be easier to cry.

[@julia-nk1db]

yay !!!! ive been waiting for this !!! love you !!!!!

[@absolutelynot524]

thanks. you just put me in mood to artistically cry.

[@g.m.1821]

I actually got here on time, and not a week late! Yay!

[@milalevit6305]

ahh i needed this!!! i was wanting to ask you how you did it after seeing your show last night!! thanks kath!❤️

[@xtltheriault]

Are you pumped that Ansel Elgort is in talks of starring in the new Stephen Schwartz musical on Hans Christian Andersen?

[@bitchass7198]

xtltheriault I did not hear about that but I smell a new Wicked-esque musical on its way

[@sheridanarmour3890]

I LOVE YOU KATHRINE!!!💖