How to Cry for a Play or Other Performance

Co-authored by Ben Whitehair and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: October 6, 2021 References

Being able to cry real tears on stage or in front of a camera is an important skill for an actor to have. It can give your performance a powerful feeling of drama and vulnerability. However, crying on cue can be difficult even for seasoned actors to pull off. If you need to cry for a performance, practice getting into the right frame of mind before you perform. Once you’re ready for your big moment, do your best to get lost in the emotions of the scene—and don’t forget to hydrate before you go on to help get the tears flowing!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting into the Right Mindset

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Practice relaxation techniques. A big part of crying on command is being able to let your emotions—and your tears—flow. This will be much easier if you go into your scene with a calm and relaxed mindset.^{[1]
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Research source} Try incorporating some relaxation techniques into your daily practice routine as you prepare for your play or performance.
- For example, you might try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
- You might also try listening to music, especially songs or pieces that move you emotionally or make you cry.
2
Tap into your emotional memories. Your own memories and experiences can be a powerful source of emotional inspiration when you’re performing. As you’re preparing for your performance, think about moments in your life when you experienced similar emotions to the ones your character is going through. Try to remember how you felt in those moments, emotionally and physically.^{[2]
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- For example, you might remember how you felt when you lost a beloved pet or had to move away from home for the first time.
- This doesn’t mean you should try to recreate that exact moment in your mind when you’re in the middle of a performance—doing so might distract you or even upset you so much that it’s hard to finish the scene. Instead, practice remembering those moments occasionally so it’s easier to access the feelings when you need them.^{[3]
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- You could also listen to sad music or watch a video that makes you get a little emotional.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ben Whitehair
  Acting Coach
  Expert Interview. 3 June 2021.}
Warning: Be careful doing emotion memory exercises too often. Lingering on unhappy or traumatic memories too much can start to become overwhelming, so take a break if you need to.

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Use your imagination to explore the character’s circumstances. In addition to drawing on your own memories and experiences, try to explore those of the character as much as possible. Try to put yourself in their shoes and visualize exactly what they’re going through.^{[5]
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- What you imagine doesn’t even have to come directly from the script. You could read between the lines and create a powerful piece of backstory for the character that makes the moment even more emotional for you.
- For example, if your character is supposed to cry at a wedding, you might imagine that the love of their life left them at the altar years before.
- Try to picture the sights, smells, sounds, and sensations the character is experiencing in the moment.
4
Rehearse the scene until you know it by heart. The more confident you feel about all other aspects of your performance, the easier it will be for you to get lost in the moment and let your emotions flow.^{[6]
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Research source} Rehearse your scene until you’re totally comfortable with all your lines, cues, and blocking. That way, you won’t be worrying about technical details while you’re actually performing the scene.
- Remind yourself that all that emotion is in there—you just have to unlock it. Crying on command is a skill you can practice, just like every other part of acting.^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Being Ready in the Moment

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Get hydrated before your performance. If you’re literally dry-eyed, you’ll have a hard time crying on stage or in front of a camera. Get yourself physically ready by drinking plenty of water before your big moment.^{[8]
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- Some actors recommend drinking 2 litres (0.53 US gal) of water 1-2 hours before you have to cry for a performance.^{[9]
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Tip: You can also use some moisturizing eyedrops to soothe and hydrate your eyes before your crying scene.
2
Immerse yourself in the moment as you perform. Instead of worrying about your lines or your performance, try to get lost in what’s happening around you.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Ben Whitehair
Acting Coach
Expert Interview. 3 June 2021.} Listen closely to what your scene partner is saying and pay attention to what they are doing. As much as possible, react to what’s happening rather than planning what you will do or say next.^{[11]
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- This will be easier if you have taken time to rehearse the scene and know your lines by heart.
3
Focus on feeling genuine emotion rather than on the act of crying. While crying is a great way to convey powerful emotion as an actor, it won’t feel authentic if you force it.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Ben Whitehair
Acting Coach
Expert Interview. 3 June 2021.} Instead of focusing on making yourself cry, try to reach a level of emotion that will allow it to happen naturally.^{[13]
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- The most important thing is to let yourself be emotionally vulnerable. Even if you don’t actually cry, the audience will be able to tell if you’re really feeling something.

Expert Q&A

Question

What can I use to trigger tears?

Ben Whitehair
Social Media Expert
Ben Whitehair is a Social Media Expert and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TSMA Consulting. With over a decade of experience in the social media space, he specializes in leveraging social media for business and building relationships. He also focuses on social media’s impact on the entertainment industry. Ben graduated summa cum laude from The University of Colorado at Boulder with BAs in Theatre and Political Science as well as a Leadership Certificate. In addition to his work as CIO, Ben is a certified business and mindset coach and National Board Member of SAG-AFTRA. He is also a successful entrepreneur as the Co-Founder of Working.Actor, the premier business academy and coaching community for actors.

Ben Whitehair

Social Media Expert

Expert Answer

You could try watching an emotional video, such as something really sad or inspiring.