1. The Importance of Character Development
CHARACTERIZATION
The Importance of
Character Development

2. THE SECRET TO A GOOD CHARACTER
Wait for it…

3. 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…

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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.)

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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

11. OTHER TIPS
Bonus Info

12. 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

13. 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)

14. CHARACTER ACTIVITIES
Put yourself in your character’s shoes…