Research on the Training of Drama Actors’ Body Language and the Improvement of Their Stage Performance
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Keywords

Drama actor; body language training; stage performance; systematic review; evaluation system

Abstract

This study aims to systematically review the current research on body language training and stage performance enhancement for drama actors in China and abroad. Key findings: 1) A diverse, differentiated training system has formed—both domestic and international research is deepening “scenario-based and personalized” practices, with different methods showing clear targeting in boosting performance. 2) While there is consensus on the three assessment dimensions (“movement expression, emotional transmission, character development”), tool application is limited: subjective assessment (e.g., expert scales) still dominates and is prone to aesthetic bias, and objective tools (e.g., motion capture) are far less used in China than internationally. 3) Future research needs “drama-specific training programs”, “low-cost domestic objective tools” and “long-term training tracking”. Practically, drama schools can build a “basic + specialized + situational simulation” curriculum, and troupes can adopt “subjective + objective” assessment. This study provides systematic references to advance training science, standardize assessment, and narrow theory-practice gaps.

https://doi.org/10.63808/mca.v1i3.217
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Copyright (c) 2025 Zhicheng Feng, Sumathi A/P Maniam