Character Exercise and Format for Play Development

by Debra Bruch

Published in Apollo's Voice, vol. 9, no. 5, June 2002, 8.

Appearance -- What does he look like?
Wear, Physical Stature, Age
Basic Psychological Characteristics:
Mean, Compassionate, Self-Centered, Low self-esteem
How does he speak?
Intelligence, Wit, Humor
What does he want?
Objective, motivation
How does he get what he wants?
Cunning, manipulative, whining, helps others, incompetent, loud, leadership skills
What does he do when faced with problems or adversity?
Violent, Tantrum, Backs Down, Finds a solution, Tries again, Sees the other person's point of view, Sulks, Accepts it
What is his mood or emotional state?
Happy, Sad, Melancholy, Insane, Angry, Frustrated, Serene, Ecstatic
What does he represent?
Working class, Aristocracy, Has-been, Poor White Trash, Redneck, Servant
What is his station in life?
Livelihood, Bum, Student, Professor, Husband, Wife, Housekeeper
What is expected from him?
Knowledge, Courtesy, Skill, Dutiful, To be Stupid, Uncouth, Loud, Quiet, Obedient

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What is his Point of View? What does he think about the world in which he lives? How does culture and society shape his actions?

(To do this, write a character's history, his past, and relate it to the present. Give him reasons why he has the above characteristics.)