Weekly Reflections

How much about your characters do you really know? Small details might seem irrelevant to the character you intend to play, but the smallest detail informs the bigger picture. The more you know about your characters, the better you'll create believable characters who live and breathe on the stage.

Over the next 8 weeks our studio will provides you with a series of questions to help you dig into the life of your character.

Take time to carefully consider each of these questions candidly and deeply:

• Week 1
  • What is this character's greatest flaw?
  • What is this characte's greatest asset?
  • Why is this character angry?
  • What calms this character?
  • Who depends on this character? Why?
  • What is this character's most noticeable physical attribute?
• Week 2
  • In what or whom does this character have the greatest faith?
  • What is this character's deepest regret?
  • What is this character's greatest fear?
  • Describe this character's most devastating moment.
  • What is this character's greatest achievement?
  • What is this character's greatest hope?
• Week 3
  • If this character could choose a different identity, who would s/he be?
  • What music does this character sing to when no one else is around?
  • What is this character's favorite movie?
  • Does this character have a favorite article of clothing? Favorite shoes?
  • Name this character's favorite person (living or dead).
  • If this character had to live in seclusion for six months, what six items would s/he bring?
• Week 4
  • Describe this character's mother.
  • Describe this character's father.
  • Where does this character fall in birth order? What effect does this have?
  • Describe this character's siblings or other close relatives.
  • Describe this character's bedroom. Include three cherished items.
• Week 5
  • What is this character's birth date? How does this character manifest traits of his/her astrological sign?
  • Describe a recurring dream or nightmare this character might have.
  • How would a stranger describe this character?
  • What does this character resolve to do differently every morning?
  • How would a dear friend or relative describe this character?
• Week 6
  • Does this character have a vice? Name it.
  • What is this character's secret wish?
  • What is this character's proudest achievement?
  • Describe this character's most embarrassing moment.
  • Does this character have an obsession? Name it.
  • What is this character's greatest disappointment?
  • What is this character's worst nightmare?
  • Whom does this character most wish to please? Why?
• Week 7
  • List the choices (not circumstances) that led this character to his/her current predicament.
  • List the circumstances over which this character has no control.
  • What wakes this character in the middle of the night?
  • If this character knew s/he had exactly one month to live, what would s/he do?
• Week 8
  • What do you know about this character now that s/he doesn't yet know?
  • What do you know about this character that s/he would never admit?
  • What is this character hiding from him/herself?
  • Write one additional thing about your character.