Hollywood Acting vs Stage Acting: What is the Difference and Why is it Important?

Whether on stage or on screen, actors prove that acting isn't one-size-fits-all and it's all about knowing your audience. Photo by Cottonbro via Pexels.

“I’m a stage actor who does film. It’s not the other way around.”

During an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Denzel Washington clarified that he does not identify as a “Hollywood actor.” This came after interviewer Bill Whitaker commented on Broadway's “star-studded season,” ultimately grouping Washington with the “Hollywood actors” who have been seen on the stage lately. 

The response from Washington sparked conversation in the art world regarding the true difference between a stage actor and a Hollywood actor, and why they should be separated in the first place.

Although when we think of entertainment today, television and movies come to mind, live performance and theater were some of the earliest dramatic forms recorded. Most of these performances were adapted from England and developed from church services. One of the most significant developments in the history of theater in the United States occurred in the 1800s, with the establishment of the Theater District in Manhattan.

This area, which would become known as the heart of American theater, is home to the iconic Broadway theaters that continue to attract millions of visitors from around the world. The Theater District's development marked the beginning of New York City’s dominance as a global cultural center, with Broadway becoming synonymous with world-class theater productions. 

In the early 1800s, the first movie was created by Edward Muybridge, and from there, creativity began to flourish. Filmmakers moved their craft from New York to Los Angeles for “a more consistent climate for round-the-year film shooting.” 

The reason that big stars are labeled as “Hollywood actors” is because of the notable studios that are located there. The movies that are being made in these places contribute to the long history and culture of filmmaking on the West Coast. 

The issue at hand is not the title of being a “Hollywood actor,” but the use of it when speaking on a different art form that is crafted differently than for the screen. 

Some of the biggest differences found in stage acting and film acting are facial expressions, volume, and performance. Film acting is much smaller than stage acting because multiple cameras are picking up different angles for anyone in the audience to see. In the theater, the actors must exaggerate their looks and expressions so that even the audience in the back rows can see and understand them. 

In film, sadness can be seen in the eyes or just a simple look, but on the stage, it needs to be shown in bigger ways because not everyone can see the specifics of an actor's face at all times. 

Performing live is seen as the largest contrast between the two forms of entertainment. Every night, a show is put on in the theater; it has different aspects to it. Whether that be a line said differently or tiny mistakes here and there, scenes in Hollywood movies are likely set after multiple takes. After the acting is completed, the footage is handed off to editors, sound designers and other post-production specialists who shape the final product, carefully crafting it into the vision of the director.

Once the actors have filmed their scenes, they can leave the set and let the magic of editing work its wonders. Any mistakes made during filming can be corrected, and an actor’s performance can be reworked in the editing room, allowing the director to select the best takes and perfect every moment.

Denzel Washington touched on this crucial difference in his interview when he said, “Movies are a filmmaker’s medium; theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up and you're on. No one to help you.” 

This aspect of live theater brings a certain kind of rawness and authenticity to the experience. The audience can sense that the actors are fully engaged, completely present in the moment. They are not merely acting; they are actively participating in an event that is unfolding in real time. 

The energy in the room can shift from night to night, depending on the reactions of the audience and the nuances of the actors’ performances. One night, a joke might land differently, or an intense scene might take on a deeper meaning based on how the actors interpret it that particular evening. This organic flow of live theater is a huge contrast to the carefully controlled, curated nature of film production.

Although theater is the less popular art form of the two, it takes much more to be on stage than it does to be in front of a camera.

It takes a lot of practice, but actors are able to perfect both acting styles and understand when to use each in their correct places. When someone grows up learning stage acting, it can take a while to dial back on the exaggerated acting they grew to know. 

The probable reason why Washington used the interview as his moment to stand his ground on the kind of actor he is is that his roots are with the theater. It is important for actors to be seen for all of their works, not just the popular ones. Because Washington has done so much for huge Hollywood movies, it can be hard to separate him from those, but from an actor’s standpoint, it is so important to. 

Washington isn't just an actor who is on Broadway because he's huge in Hollywood; he's on Broadway because he has worked to get there and is deeply rooted in stage acting. 

Actors of all kinds deserve to be seen for all their work as a whole and not grouped into one category. Hollywood has done so much for the art and history of film and does deserve to be recognized as such.

It’s essential to recognize and honor the contributions of actors in both realms, appreciating the distinct challenges and artistry involved in each, rather than reducing their craft to one label or another.