are stage tears real?

There are some really passionate actors out there that yes, can make themselves cry. Hugh Jackman is amazing, so it doesn't surprise me in the least that he would be able to do that. There are other actors, however good they may be, that cannot make themselves cry and sometimes faux tears are used.

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Thanks Triple Star and Mister Matt

Some entertainers can cry on cue. Judy Garland comes to mind. If you want or need it to happen, you just have to go someplace inside and find that part that produces tears. It may be there one performance and not the next. Easy for some and nearly impossible for others.

Onstage, if you see tears flow during a scene, they're real. Industrial Light and Magic can't make them appear mid-scene.

Hume Cronyn had a piece of wisdom about characters crying on stage. Trying NOT to cry or break down into sobbing while continuing the scene elicits far more sympathy/empathy for the character from the audience than crying outright. Smart advice.

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Another performer who can control the tears pretty well is Bernadette Peters. Her emotions run ramped during Rose's Turn (tears one moment, histeria the next), and during her scene right after Herbie leaves.
I've seen her cry during certain songs in concert, so I honestly believe that she taps into some inner emotion when she performs.

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I hate it when people burst into tears in auditions. You can literally see people rolling their eyes, especially those on the casting table!

Yes, many actors have the ability to cry for real on stage just by emotion and passion alone. However some actor friends have told me that since it is quite difficult to cry every night when the role requires it, they use the simplest of tricks. They focus on NOT BLINKING for some time and naturally the tears start falling.

Take care

Let us remember that whether an actor can producer tears from the eyes does not necessarily make them better than actors who can't.

In the end, it doesn't matter what the actor is feeling (real, true tears for faking them), but what the audience is feeling.

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Oh I remember watching Bernadetter during "Rose's turn" and being amazed at the levels of pure emotion she could reach. It really was incredible!!

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I really admire anyone who can make themselves cry eight times a week for no reason.

now, thats a good actor! When an actor has that much passion in the role thats talent!

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If you want to see a master class in how to convey high stakes emotion 8 times a week, do not miss Miss Eileen Atkins in RETREAT FROM MOSCOW.

She uses Hume's advice, and breaks our hearts. The secret, I believe (having just see La Atkins thrilling work) is playing emotional shifts moment-by-moment. Watch how she's kicked in the solar plexus when Lithgow delivers the life-altering news. The sense of "first time" is key. A lot of actors in long runs, with less technique than Miss A, start to "play the end." Lips tremble, eyes water, but unless the incremental, emotional turns in the text are served, it can hurt more than help.

Whatever your thoughts on MOSCOW -- any student of great acting should not miss her performance.

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Updated On: 2/11/04 at 06:42 PM

Auggie I totally agree with you. Eileen Atkins made me care so much about this character. I enjoyed the play so very much. you could relate to each of the three characters. She is definitely going to be nominated for a Tony for this role.