The Importance of Character Development CHARACTERIZATION The Importance of Character Development

THE SECRET TO A GOOD CHARACTER Wait for it…

THERE IS NO SECRET! There is no ONE right way for developing a character HARD WORK is the only way to develop your character(s). However, there IS a good method to follow…

THE THREE STEP METHOD It’s easy as 1, 2, 3…!!

Three Step Method Text Analysis – to fully understand a character, you MUST fully understand the text first Emotional Connection – finding the motivation, understanding human behavior Physical/Vocal Transition – how your performance translates

Text analysis Choosing the Script – YOU MUST HAVE A CONNECTION TO THE LITERATURE! What are your favorite lines? How is it going to challenge you? Script Analysis – this is where you get to know the character & spend the time with the script to get to know them and establish a connection Reading it over and over and over again Marking important beats, words, references, etc.

TEXT ANALYSIS Character Analysis – asking and answering the tedious questions; this is the major step that helps you give depth to a character Research – make yourself aware of everything you need to know about the characters circumstances Example: if you’re character is in a play set in a circus, GO TO THE CIRCUS! If you can’t go to the circus, research everything there is to know about the circus (the history, changes it’s gone through, the different acts, etc.)

Character analysis – example questions Character Name: Autobiographical Facts: What was your parent’s upbringing like? Do you have any siblings? What sort of education did you receive? What is your health like? When have the significant major relationships in your life begun? Interests: What do you enjoy doing (music, food etc)? What do you consider your idiosyncracies to be? Physical Description: How old are you? What is your height/weight? What clothing do you wear? What are your grooming habits? If you had to compare yourself to an animal, what would it be and why?

Emotional Connection Journaling – great way to get to know your character; one entry per week; exploring/establishing emotions for them You can pull from the text or from your own personal experiences Personal Research – different from normal research Interview someone who knows the topic, has been through a similar experience, etc. Character Improv Activities (that you can do on your own & that you can do in a group) Talking to absent characters

PHYSICAL/VOCAL TRANSITION Find a Model – no two people are a like & you do not want to portray yourself Example: if you want to do a piece over Michael J. Fox, watch videos and study how his body works (how he walks, uses hands, etc.) Practice for Muscle Memory

OTHER TIPS Bonus Info

Tips COMEDY “It’s not funny to me, it’s only funny to them” – what you do in your piece shouldn’t be funny to your character, only to the audience, your character is just living their life Reactions – reactions are half of the joke, you have to take time for them Don’t forget your face and gestures Rehearse ONE CHARACTER AT A TIME, whether it’s HI/DI/DUO/etc. Remember character connection to audience Like or relate or love to hate Perform for others Tests the understanding of the story Tests your consistency in characters Unless you see the same thing three times from three different judges, don’t change it

Keeping it fresh Re-read the script Practice Humorous piece as a Dramatic piece and Dramatic piece as a Humorous Piece Write an obituary Perform blindfolded Do make up and costume for the character Pick a song for the major beats and play it in the background (perform it as a movie)

CHARACTER ACTIVITIES Put yourself in your character’s shoes…