Reply #13: okay

[Cheswick2.0]

It looks like the director is making a very good choice to direct this as farce. It is a play about a lot of things that wouldn't really happen, so already it is ridiculous.

Everybody that has answered has told you to play it straight, they are right. The fact that the character/acting is over the top doesn't mean she can't seriously believe everything that is happening. Most important is that the character can not be in on the joke.

Give the character a life, give her 1 or 2 quirks. Maybe she always drops things? Everytime she runs across that stage, she drops something and has to pick it up and go on. Try it, your director might not like it and that is his choice, but then he might like it you never know. Just don't overplay it, let the audience wonder if you are actually just a clumsy actress. After the 4th time they will be laughing because they expect it and you deliver..... make sure that any quirks you add do not take attention from the main action. Put "funny bits" in appropriate places.

Maybe she has a weird laugh, or she always checks out her nail polish at inapropriate times? Does she twist her hair? Does she pose like a Show Girl everytime she stops moving?

I am suggesting these things as a way to take your mind off being funny. If the lines are funny, the laughs will come. Just remember you have no idea you are being funny.