It takes time. When I've confronted this, I've worked with the two separately, with only the stage manager in attendance. Here are just a few ideas I've used:
1) Have them improv the scene without the text in hand. (This obviously only works if they aren't off book yet.)
2) Have them improv some other time referenced in the play; for instance, a work place interaction or the walk home from the ballet for Alice and Tony in "You Can't Take It With You."
3) Have them sit knee to knee and speak the lines of the play. Ask each not to respond with their next line until they feel compelled. Actor 1 has to keep saying the same line in different ways until Actor 2 finally feels the necessity of replying. (This works if they are off-book, but requires some side-coaching to make them be honest. And even if they collapse into giggles, that can be a start toward building that chemistry.)
4) Ask them to do substitutions. Ask them to describe the kernel of what the character is feeling, then look for a time in their own lives when they have felt that feeling (not been in that situation), then use memory of emotion to explore that. (Shout out to Richard Boleslavsky and his "Acting: The First Six Lessons.")
5) Have them act the scene with no words.
6) If all that fails, ask for their favorite dance songs and have a mini-dance party as part of the warm-up before each rehearsal.
As far as the kiss goes, have them start by aiming on the cheek and move a bit closer each day toward the lips. Let them get physically comfortable gradually.
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C. J. Breland
Asheville High School
Asheville NC
Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2016 09:41
From: Monica Williams-Mitchell
Subject: Ideas for building chemistry
Does anyone have ideas about how I can help my 2 leads to develop a little chemistry? These are kids who have known each other all through high school in drama, but are not friends outside of drama and have never acted opposite each other. There's one kiss, and it needs to be marginally believable....Any advice? Thanks!
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Cincinnati OH
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