Breaking Character

In theatre, breaking character occurs when an actor slips out of character, often behaving as their actual self. This is a more acceptable occurrence while in the process of rehearsal but is considered unprofessional while actively performing in front of an audience or camera (except when the act is a deliberate breaking of the fourth wall). If the breaking of character is particularly serious, it is considered corpsing, which in film or television would normally result in an abandonment of that take.

For example, an actor and actress may be testing out a scene in front of their director. The actress may break character halfway through to suggest that she try delivering a certain line from a different position on the stage.