BWW Blog: Lilly Erb - A Kiss Is Just A Kiss

Ah, stage kissing. It makes me nervous just thinking about it. Kissing is hard enough, but rehearsed kissing? On a stage? In front of an audience? The mere thought of it sounds downright uncomfortable. Throw in the added ingredient of high school, and you've got yourself a mess. High school is full enough of hormones and drama, and stage kissing just adds another unnecessary dosage.

It's risky, too. Potentially, you could be locking lips with anybody. The kid who sits behind you in calculus? The boy who passes you in the hall on your way to lunch? The guy who offers you gum everyday in chemistry? All these boys and more are potential face-sucking candidates. And worse, what if you don't like them?

Yes, it could happen, and it has. Many young actors and actresses who dislike each other have been forced into onstage relationships. Kissing your arch nemesis in front of a paying audience sounds hellish. It's a nightmare situation, right? I interviewed an anonymous student at my school to find out exactly how it feels. On more than one occasion, they have been cast in roles to play the romantic partner of somebody they aren't on friendly terms with. The way they describe their situation gives an inside perspective on a large part of what it means to be an actor.

Q: What roles and relations have you played with this person?
A: Mostly husband and wife on a few different occasions.

Q: How far have you gone with this person on stage?
A: Just kissing, yeah, but very close touching. Hugging and kissing, very affectionate.

Q: Do you find it harder to get into character because of this person?
A: Definitely. It makes getting into character very difficult. This is a person who makes me feel less confident. They make me feel like less of a person. It's hard to be in that scenario, but the show must go on.

Q: Backstage, are tensions high?
A: Typically, we try to avoid each other. We don't really talk backstage or in general.

Q: Do you discuss what you do while you're not in character?
A: No.

Q: Do you consider the situation a drawback of the role you play?
A: Yea. I'm very grateful for all parts, always, but it can be a more negative thing that I have to do. It's more of like a feeling of fear and distress and it's kind of scarring to have to do something like that. It feels like I'm demeaning myself.

Q: While in character, is it easier to do?
A: Yes. When I'm on stage and I get to be a character, it's not me. I get to live through them and put myself in their shoes. With costumes and makeup and lights, you're completely immersed in your character, so you become them. In rehearsals it's harder because you're not fully immersed yet.

Q: Have you kissed people who you are on good terms with?
A: Yes.

Q: Was kissing a friend an easier experience?
A: Absolutely, by leaps and bounds. They were one of the better friends I've made. It was a lot more comfortable, light-hearted. I didn't take it as seriously. I didn't feel like I was being judged.

Q: Any advice for actors or actresses put into this situation?
A: The show must go on. Just remember it's not you: It's your character. You have no feelings for that person and you're not kissing them. Your character is kissing their character.

It's obvious that stage kissing can be a burden to any actor. It's grueling and it's difficult, but it's a part of the job. And really, you have to admire the art. It shows real dedication and commitment for actors to put aside their differences and commence in some good ol' fashioned lip smacking. As they say, the show must go on, regardless of who you may have to kiss.