Lewis McGregor
Theatre practitioner Stanislavski maintained that only 10% of what’s going on in our heads is expressed through words; the remaining 90% lies bedded beneath the script. This is subtext, and in Stanislavski’s own words, “[subtext] flows uninterruptedly beneath the words of the text, giving them life and a basis for existing… It is the subtext that makes us say the words we do in a play”. Or, for our sake, a film.
What are Actor Verbs?
In the context of theater and film performance, an actor’s verbs refer to action words or verbs that describe the character’s actions, intentions, and motivations in a scene. These verbs help actors identify their characters’ emotional and physical actions in a particular moment, which helps them create a more nuanced and convincing performance.
For example, an actor might identify the actor’s verb “to plead” in a particular scene, indicating that their character is trying to convince someone of something, perhaps through begging or supplication. Other examples of actor’s verbs in this context might include “to intimidate,” “to cajole,” “to seduce,” or “to deceive.”
This approach can help actors convey emotional truth and realism that draws the audience into the story. By focusing on the actor’s verbs in a scene, actors can better understand their characters and motivations. They can create a more compelling and believable performance that engages the audience.
Here is a list of action (actor) verbs useful for helping the actor’s process of creating a subtext. Of course, this isn’t the definitive list of lists. A lot of verbs are missing from it. Verbs that are commonly mistaken for actor’s verbs are the ones that require several actions or are not pursuable without words, such as “to build,” which is an activity or result.
“To question as to whether an action verb is doable, you have to measure the ability of the actor to pursue the action readily without any dialogue.” Stanislavski.
Actor Verb List
Does it immediately make one think of something one can pursue without speaking? If it does, it is an actor’s verb, and these words will immediately enable the actor to respond and (hopefully) give you the performance you need.
To accuse
To admire
To admonish
To adore
To amuse
To annoy
To apologize
To applaud
To attack
To bask
To beg
To belittle
To bestow
To boast
To brag
To brood
To brush off
To buddy up
To caress
To celebrate
To challenge
To charm
To check out
To coax
To comfort
To command
To confess
To confide
To confront
To congratulate
To cuddle
To defend
To deify
To demand
To destroy
To dis
To discard
To discover
To dismiss
To distract
To embrace
To entertain
To entice
To erupt
To escape
To examine
To explode
To exult
To flatter
To flaunt
To flee
To flirt
To gloat
To grieve
To hide
To idolize
To ignore
To impress
To incite
To inspect
To instruct
To invade
To invite
To lure
To mock
To mother
To mourn
To ogle
To patronize
To perform
To pester
To pleas
To ponder
To pounce
To preen
To prepare
To primp
To probe
To protect
To put down
To question
To reject
To rescue
To retreat
To ridicule
To savor
To scold
To scrutinize
To search
To seduce
To seethe
To shock
To show off
To sneak
To soothe
To stalk
To startle
To strut
To surrender
To tantalize
To taunt
To teach
To tease
To tempt
To test
To threaten
To trump
To ward off
To wan
To welcome
To withdraw
To worship
To yearn
Actor Verb Tips
- Study the script: The script is your guide to the character and is the best place to start when identifying actor verbs. Look for clues in the dialogue and stage directions, and pay close attention to the character’s emotions and motivations.
- Consider the context: The actor verb you choose will depend on the scene’s context. Think about what your character is trying to achieve and what actions they might take to achieve their goals.
- Use your imagination: Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different options when identifying actor verbs. Use your imagination to put yourself in the character’s shoes and think about how you would react in their situation.
- Be specific: The more specific you can be with your actor verbs, the better. Instead of using broad terms like “to persuade,” try to be more precise by choosing a verb like “to flatter,” “to threaten,” or “to seduce.”
- Use your body and voice: Once you’ve identified your actor verbs, use your body and voice to bring them to life. Consider how you can physically embody the verb and use your voice to emphasize your action.
For more on actor’s verbs and subtext, check out Changing Direction by Lenore DeKoven.
