Creating your Character

Hello,

The mark of a good actor is not copying, it’s creating.  What does that mean?  Well, simply said a good actor looks at the lines, listens to the stage directions and creates their OWN character.  When doing a big show, like Bye Bye Birdie, some actors tend to watch the movie or see another production and base their character on another actor.  But, I want you to create your own character - because you are your own person.  Use your imagination, rather than imitating someone else.

I know that creating a new character can be extremely scary to a young actor.  This is why I will allow time to develop your characters. 

There are several things to think about when you are creating a character:

• What’s his/her voice like? 
• How does he/she walk? 
• What is he/she afraid of? 
• What annoys him/her? 
• What does he/she love? 

Think of your character as if he/she were an animal.  What animal would they be?  Say it’s a bear.  It lumbers, it growls, it seems to move awkwardly.  It holds an underlying threat.  Try to do your lines as that animal, and then pare away the “bear” until it becomes a human being with some of the characteristics of a bear.  You will discover all sorts of things you wouldn’t have thought of since your body is doing the work.

Remember this is a journey of creation and discovery, not imitation, it's time to get excited about the process!

Break A Leg,

Mr. Ferriero