How do you stage a kiss?

Kissing on stage can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for actors. Executing a believable stage kiss requires thoughtfulness, communication, and technique. This article will provide tips on how to make onstage kissing look natural while keeping both actors comfortable.

Table of Contents

Why do actors kiss on stage?

Stage kisses are incorporated into productions for various reasons:

To portray intimacy or romance between characters
To show affection
To heighten drama during an emotional moment

To demonstrate passion

While stage kisses may only last a few seconds, they can say a lot about the relationship between two characters. A well-executed stage kiss allows the audience to connect with the tenderness, desire, or sensuality the characters feel.

Communicating with your co-star

The first step to staging a kiss is to communicate with your scene partner. Here are some important things to discuss:

Comfort levels – Check in with each other about what you are comfortable with for the kiss and agree on boundaries.
Approach – Decide if the kiss should be tender, aggressive, or passionate based on the scene.
Hand placement – Determine where your hands should be placed to create the appropriate mood.

Head tilting – Discuss which way your heads will tilt so your noses don’t bump.
The kiss’s duration – Agree on how long the kiss should last for it to seem natural.

By talking through the details, you can choreograph a kiss that suits both actors and serves the story. If either actor feels uncomfortable at any point, they should feel empowered to speak up.

Choreographing the kiss

Once you’ve discussed the kiss with your co-star, it’s time to choreograph the mechanics. Here are some tips:

Start with a simple closed-mouth kiss before making it more complex.
Tilt your heads in opposite directions so your noses don’t bump.

Angle your bodies so the audience can see the kiss, but be careful not to overdo it.
Decide who will initiate the kiss and how to build tension leading up to it.
Use your hands to cradle your partner’s face or pull them closer to create intimacy.

Pull back slowly at the end rather than abruptly stopping the kiss.

Take time to practice the choreography until it feels natural. If needed, ask your director or stage manager for guidance.

Creating the illusion

Good stage kisses feel real without the actors’ lips actually touching. Here are some tricks to make the kiss look convincing from the audience’s perspective:

Keep your lips just barely parted and aim for the corner of your partner’s mouth.
Relax your facial muscles – tense, pursed lips can give the illusion away.
Connect with your scene partner’s eyes just before the kiss to heighten intimacy.

Move slowly and smoothly rather than abruptly jerking your heads together.
Maintain physical closeness and eye contact after pulling back from the kiss.
Apply lip balm so your lips don’t stick as you pull away.

With practice, you’ll be able to make a stage kiss look natural without actually making lip contact. However, discuss with your co-star if minimal lip brushing is acceptable.

Performance tips

Once you have the mechanics down, focus on performance. Here are some tips for making the kiss feel authentic in the moment:

Incorporate acting techniques like sense memory or emotional recall to get into character for an intimate scene.

Allow your breath to quicken and your posture to relax as if you’re genuinely being kissed.
Let your eyes communicate the emotions behind the kiss – passion, tenderness, hesitation, etc.
Respond and react to your partner’s movements rather than making the kiss feel one-sided.

Tune into your senses – notice your partner’s scent or the warmth of their breath to create a feeling of realism.

By applying strong acting skills, you can make onstage kissing look and feel authentic. Stay focused in the moment instead of letting nerves take over.

Making it work in rehearsals

It can be awkward practicing kissing scenes in early rehearsals. Here are some tips for keeping it professional:

Treat kissing scenes with the same respect as any other scene – they are just part of the job.
Keep physical contact minimal at first if you don’t know your co-star well.
Don’t practice full-on kissing until you’re about to open – keep it technical at first.

Listen to your director’s guidance and feedback to perfect the kiss.
Discuss ahead of time if you want to minimize practice kissing or if doing so would help you feel more comfortable.

With good communication and boundaries, kiss rehearsals can remain professional. The more you run the scenes, the more normal the kissing will start to feel.

Onstage kissing tips by play genre

Kissing will vary somewhat based on the style of show. Here are tips tailored to different genres:

Comedy

Time the kiss for maximum comedic impact.
Catch the audience off guard with an abrupt, passionate kiss for a laugh.

Ham it up by dipping your partner or spinning them around.
Use exaggerated noises and movements to get silly.
Maintain comedy through the kiss by keeping high energy and commitment.

Drama

Build tension with prolonged eye contact leading up to the kiss.
Keep the pacing slow to let dramatic moments land.
Kiss with intensity to convey strong emotions.

Linger afterward to connect emotionally before speaking again.
Allow yourself to get lost in the moment for a raw, authentic feel.

Musicals

Time the kiss to happen at a peak moment in the accompanying song.

Lean into sweeping, cinematic kiss moments befitting a musical.
Lift your partner or bend them back for a dynamic stage picture.
Use bold arm and hand gestures and facial expressions.

Maintain the musical’s heightened reality even during intimate moments.

Tailoring the kiss to the unique style of the show helps it feel like a natural fit for the story and characters.

Making each kiss feel fresh

It’s easy for kisses to feel stale after weeks of performing the same show. Here are some ways to keep them feeling fresh:

Vary your energy and intensity levels from show to show.
Slightly alter the duration or specific movements.
Change up your focus and motivation behind the kiss.

Discover something new about your scene partner each time.
React differently to the kiss based on how your co-star performs it.

Even small changes can give each kiss a sense of spontaneity. Stay present in the moment instead of letting it become routine.

Handling mistakes

Despite best efforts, kissing mishaps can happen onstage. Here’s how to handle them gracefully:

Noses bump: Rub your nose briefly after the kiss as if the characters find it cute.
Start laughing: Cover it by pulling your partner back in for a deeper kiss.

Trip or stumble: Use it to pull your partner into an embrace and kiss their cheek.
Miss the lips: Smoothly transition to a hug or nuzzle instead of re-doing the kiss.
One actor is off mark: Reach further or adjust angles to make the distance work.

With quick thinking, small fumbles can go unnoticed or even add to the kiss’s authenticity. Avoid overreacting or letting embarrassment throw you off track.

Getting direction on improving a kiss

Don’t be afraid to take feedback from your director to make an onstage kiss even better. Useful tips may include:

More passion and intensity

Increased tenderness
Adjusting pacing or duration
Refining head tilting and hand placement

More relaxed facial muscles
Stronger emotional connection

Keep an open mind and don’t take director notes personally. Small adjustments can often take a kiss to the next level. If needed, ask your co-star to run lines again or request extra kiss rehearsals.

When to pull back on an intense kiss

While stage kisses aim to feel real, there are times when pulling back intensity is wise. This includes:

If full-contact open mouth kissing exceeds personal boundaries
For student or youth productions where age appropriateness is key

If the co-stars have no relationship offstage and discomfort arises
When one actor is ill to avoid spreading germs
If PDA policies require it at certain venues or events

If limiting kiss intensity feels warranted, discuss options like keeping lips closed or limiting face contact. Work with directors and co-stars to shape kisses appropriately for both artistry and comfort.

Staying safe and sanitary

Stage kisses require some safety precautions, especially amid flu season or health concerns. Some best practices include:

Using antibacterial wipes or spray to sanitize hands and faces before a kissing scene

Applying lip balm to prevent chapped lips from spreading germs
Minimizing face-to-face contact if one actor is sick
Avoiding kissing scenes altogether during severe illness outbreaks

Rehearsing with masks on prior to the show’s opening
Keeping throat lozenges and water nearby in the wings

Proper sanitation helps keep co-stars healthy and able to perform safely. Be proactive addressing any health concerns before they jeopardize the production.

Appropriate vs. inappropriate touching

Stage kissing requires awareness of appropriate and inappropriate touch. Some basic guidelines include:

Appropriate Touching	Inappropriate Touching
– Face	– Breasts/chest
– Shoulders	– Buttocks
– Arms	– Legs/thighs
– Hands	– Groin
– Upper back	– Feet
– Waist/hips	– Any area actors specified as “off limits”

These are general guidelines but comfort levels vary person-to-person. Discuss boundaries openly and agree on appropriate touch zones that respect both actors.

Making both actors comfortable

Onstage kissing requires mutual comfort and respect. Here are some tips:

Check in regularly on whether your co-star remains comfortable.
Agree to speak up if either of you feel crossed boundaries.
Only move forward gradually as you build trust.

Respect your partner’s physical and emotional space.
Treat fellow actors professionally regardless of your personal feelings.
Maintain open communication and re-negotiate if comfort levels shift.

Prioritize consent, communication, and professionalism above all else. With maturity and care, stage kisses can be executed with confidence while keeping all actors at ease.

Conclusion

Executing convincing stage kisses is an art form that requires mutual trust, communication, and technique. By choreographing intimacy thoughtfully, playing the moment authentically, and maintaining professionalism, actors can portray beautiful onstage moments while protecting each other’s well-being. Stage kisses ultimately enable actors to share inspiring stories that explore the complexity and joy of human connection.