Characterization

Intro to Drama

Characterization

Involves more than just pretending to be a character in a scene or play

You need to make others believe that you are someone else

“An actor’s art is like a beggar’s bag…he should pick up everything he comes across.”

-Sakata Tojuro

Observation

Good actors are very observantThey use what they observe to help create

original charactersLook for:

ways to walk, sit, stand, carry weight, mannerisms, habits,

ways people talk

interesting external characteristics

External vs Internal Characteristics

External: Things you can see (previous slide)

Internal: Things like life experiences, personality, intelligence, educational opps, personal interests, job, mental/emotional health, beliefs, values, wants, needs, etc.

Mannerisms

Mannerisms: unconscious habits or peculiarities (nail biting, teeth grinding, twisting a lock of hair, raising an eyebrow)

Try to “collect” as many diff. qualities as you can to create a whole new character

Ex. British accent heard on TV, the way the man in the grocery store walked, and the way my history teacher pushes up his glasses and shifts his weight from foot to foot (combine for a new character)

Homework

People Watch Assignment:

You must go to a public place for 15 mins. to observe people. You should record your observations. Try to collect as many different qualities as you can (minimum of 20 different external characteristics and mannerisms)

Stock Character

A familiar character who is the same type of character in every play

Ex. the villain, the hero, the fool, the heroine

Stereotypical Character

A familiar character identified by an oversimplified pattern of behavior that typically labels the character as being part of a group of people

Ex. politician, cheer leader, TV evangelist, jock

Modern Stock & Stereotypical Characters

Psychiatrist secret agent Handsome movie star clumsy waiter Cowboy photographer Rich socialite district attorney Nanny cab driver Gangster flight attendant Dentist rock star School principal clown Military officer librarian Writer/poet snoopy neighbor

Activity

Choose one from the previous slideHow do you walk, talk, act as that

character? What is his/her name? occupation? Hometown? Reason for visiting this classroom?

Improvise a reason for coming to our class today (as your character) and we will respond.