Sally B. Kaczynski
This worksheet is a means of gaining better understanding of the work to be performed. Without a good understanding of the written work the actor cannot hope to create believable character on the stage. Therefore, the first step an actor completes when building a character is to consider the following elements.
Setting: The setting tells the actor much more than the location of the play. As you read, be sure to note the following:
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1. TIME IN THE PLAY
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a. When in the context of historical time does the play take place?
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b. What time of year is it?
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c. What time of day is it?
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2. PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE SETTING
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a. What nation does the play occur in?
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b. Does it take place in the city or in the country?
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c. Is the setting isolated and hidden, or open to public view?
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d. Is the setting located in the interior of a building or is it outside?
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3. WEATHER
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a. Is it sunny or raining?
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b. Is the climate of the drama a friendly or a hostile one?
Plot: The word plot refers to the incidents, events and other occurrences which create a continuous movement within the world of the play. It results from a collision of opposing forces, or conflict. In serious drama, plot is a cause-and-effect progression. In comedy, plot is a series of changes that have no immediate cause, and the unexpected becomes the expected. As you read the play, make a list of all the events and try to determine their cause-and-effect relationships. Then make a list of the conflicts. Do the conflicting events of the play indicate that the play is moving toward a happy or positive resolution for the main characters, or do you think that the events of the play are moving it to the point of disaster?
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2. PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE SETTING
-
a What nation does the play occur in?
-
b. Does it take place in the city or in the country?
-
c. Is the setting isolated and hidden, or open to public view?
-
d. Is the setting located in the interior of a building or is it outside?
-
3. WEATHER
-
a. Is it sunny or raining?
-
b. Is the climate of the drama a friendly or a hostile one?
Plot: The word plot refers to the incidents, events and other occurrences which create a continuous movement within the world of the play. It results from a collision of opposing forces, or conflict. In serious drama, plot is a cause-and-effect progression. In comedy, plot is a series of changes that have no immediate cause, and the unexpected becomes the expected. As you read the play, make a list of all the events and try to determine their cause-and-effect relationships. Then make a list of the conflicts. Do the conflicting events of the play indicate that the play is moving toward a happy or positive resolution for the main characters, or do you think that the events of the play are moving it to the point of disaster?
The Initial Situation: Main characters can best be understood in terms of conflict. In the beginning of the play, how do the main characters become involved in situations that lead to crisis? Do the characters make deliberate choices about their involvement in situations or are they victims of fate?
The End Situation: Compare the central characters’ situation at the end of the play with their situation at the beginning. Have they reached their goals, satisfied their desires?
