An Actor’s Toolbox
Contributing Educator: Danielle Miller
This unit includes nine core topics that break down the process of developing a believable character on stage. Character development is the process actors use to create a believable and engaging portrayal of a character. It involves understanding the character’s background, motivations, and relationships, as well as their physical and vocal mannerisms. This unit explores how actors delve into a character’s psyche, ultimately bringing them to life on stage. Each topic is a springboard for you to revise, expand, or streamline to meet the needs of your students and program. Feel free to add your own content as you see fit. Above all, explore, take risks, and have fun. The printable resources are included to help guide the work and support students’ reflection. Also this unit is aligned with the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) for theater to ensure that the content meets (or exceeds) expectations for a high school-level course.
This Character Development unit emphasizes the concept of truthful behaviors under imaginary circumstances. Each topic is a fundamental step to help your students get more specific with their acting choices both physically and emotionally. The work is grounded in both Konstantin Stanislavski and Uta Hagen’s acting techniques. Together they encourage actors to connect deeply with their own experiences and emotions to bring authentic believable characters to life.
We are about to go on a nine lesson journey. Each lesson starts with a warm-up game to get students more comfortable with each other. The goal is to build a classroom that runs like a well-oiled machine so that students feel comfortable taking risks and performing in front of each other at the end of the unit. While these games/exercises are not related to character development they are essential in creating a classroom environment that feels safe for all to equally participate in. The circle up activity immediately follows and allows for the topic of the lesson to be introduced. Then each lesson gets broken down into both group ensemble and individual practice activities for mastery. Each group exercise is a way to start the process of exploring the topic with a mini performance component. The individual practice then allows students to master the topic and apply it to a specific character they are playing. The lessons end with a closing circle that allows for self reflection on the topic that was just taught.
Lesson Plans Included: 9
Materials: Printable Resources and Activities are included to help guide your work and support student learning.
Grade Levels: High School
Lesson Plan Topics
- Given Circumstances - Foundation for understanding the character's motivations [TH:Cr1.1.I, TH:Cr3.1.II, TH:Pr4.1.I, TH:Cn10.1.I]
- Beats/Dramatic Climax - Distinct moments and peak intensity [TH:Cr1.1.I, TH:Cr3.1.I, TH:Cr3.1.II, TH:Pr4.1.I, TH:Pr4.1.II, TH: Re7.1.I]
- Objectives - What a character wants to achieve [TH:Cr1.1.I, TH:Cr2-II, TH:Pr4.1.I, TH:Pr4.1.II, TH: Re7.1.II]
- Before Moment - Character before they start speaking [TH:Cr1.1.I, TH:Cr3.1.I, TH:Pr4.1.I, TH:Pr4.1.II, TH:Pr5.1.II]
- Obstacles - In the way of what your character wants [TH:Cr1.1.I, TH:Cr3.1.II, TH:Pr4.1.II, TH:Pr5.1.II, TH: Re7.1.I, TH:Re8.1.II]
- Tempo & Rhythm - Speed of action or speech [TH:Cr1.1.I, TH:Cr3.1.I, TH:Pr4.1.I, TH:Pr5.1.I, TH: Re7.1.I, TH:Re8.1.I]
- Emotional Memory Recall - Past emotional experiences to access character [TH:Cr 1.1.1.II, TH:Cr3.1.II, TH:Pr4.1.II, TH:Pr5.1.II, TH: Re7.1.I, TH:Re8.1.I]
- Truth, Belief & the Magic If - Exploring character's emotions and motivations [TH:Cr1.1.II, TH:Cr3.1.III, TH:Pr4.1.III, TH:Pr5.1.II, TH:Re8.1.I]
- Monologue Performance and Peer & Self Reflection - Performance, Self-assessment, Feedback [TH:Cr3.1.III, TH:Pr5.1.III, TH:Pr6.1.II, TH: Re7.1.I, TH:Re8.1.III]
