“the work feels like play, but we do not play with it” – Adaora Ukoh
Adaora Ukoh was born 27th April; “I have a Law degree from the University of Lagos. I am a native of Anambra State, Nigeria. I acted for the first time was in a drama group. We did a play for end of the year party, I got an ovation. I wanted my parents to be present, so it made little or no meaning to me.” says Adaora.
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): Back in secondary school, I wanted to be like an actress who lived in my neighborhood, she had done a successful movie and became the cynosure of all eyes, she took me to my first audition and I got my first role.
What acting technique do you use?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): I draw on personal experiences: emotions, real life motivations and memories. It is called the magic ‘As-If’.
Describe wrong impressions actors hold about acting?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): Acting is not phonetics; acting is not about looks; acting is not competition with other actors.
Lekki Wives Reunion (2024) Stars Adaora Ukoh, Rita Dominic and Joselyn Dumas
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): I attend film workshops and seminars. I plan to do a professional course in acting and filmmaking soon
What acting books do you read?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): ‘Audition’ by Michael Shurtleff. I consider this book the acting bible, for actors at the start of their career. It’s a good read. An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski. The book takes an actor through a self-development system first documented by Stanislavski to help the actor master his craft and In-Depth Acting by Dee Canon.
How do you keep fit as an actor: mentally, physically?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): I take the proper diet and eat right. I keep fit at every chance I get, but I don’t work out rigorously. If your body feels up to it it’s a really good. I do more Pilates, Dance Exercises, Swimming and Road Walk. I get bored easily, so I must find time to do different routines to keep it going. And, I use the spa a lot to relax any tensed nerve before or after a particular shooting. I relax a lot; have my fun time, quiet time and most especially PRAYER time with God. It just balances Life
When you are offered a role, what do you do next?
If am offered a role, the first thing I do is to read the script. I read with the intent to understand the theme of the movie and plot. If I get interested in the project I begin to internalize character as I create it mentally. I return to read the script multiple gradually understanding my lines.
How do you take a character in a script to an honest, believable and breathing person?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): It is an organic process to stay in character while onset of a production. I would describe it as wearing the character both consciously and unconsciously; pretending, controlling and manipulating the character using the script my guide.
How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): It is very much an internal process: I like to work from the inside out. I concentrate; put my mind to the role. I use the magic ‘as-if’ to create the character, I surrender to this process. Also, I imagine things physical about my body that I can bring in to keep the character in the moment. It is all in my subconscious and this input helps trigger honest instincts that help me physically and emotionally to keep the character alive.
Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Adaora Ukoh (AU): I asked the director to allow me play a scene in two ways. He eventually went with my take.
