Theater Showcase (2 of 5): Characterization & Analysis

• Students will work individually and collaboratively to apply a range of improvisation and other strategies to create scripted and improvised characters
• Students will explore character's inner thoughts/feelings and how their character affects dialogue
• Students will explore stereotypes, make character choices, and use personal experiences to create a character

This lesson will introduce students to explore characterization through a variety of acting exercises.

1. Review Class Objectives
2. Famous Actor Clips
   1. Helena Bonham Carter
   2. Johnny Depp
   3. Physical
      1. Gestures
      2. Movement
      3. Mannerisms
      4. Walk
      5. Body Language
   4. Voice
   5. Character Interpretation
3. Stereotypes
   1. Good
      1. Shortcut
      2. Storytelling Device
      3. Can be used to challenge preconceived notions
   2. Bad
      1. Can be racist, homophobic, sexist
      2. Unfairly categorize people
      3. Over generalization that often sends the wrong message
   3. Examples
4. Party Quirks Game - Who are they?
   1. Distinguishing Characteristics
   2. Typical Movement/Gesture
   3. How do they talk?
      1. Accent
      2. Pitch
      3. Pace
      4. Pause
      5. Emphasis
   4. What are they doing?
   5. 1 Cliched Line they would say (The giveaway)
   6. Stereotypical characters
      1. Jock
      2. Nerd
      3. Taxi Driver
      4. Salesman
      5. Scientist
      6. Bimbo
      7. Pastor
      8. Housewife
      9. Beggar
5. Going further - Developing a natural character
   1. Hot Seating - You are a student being bullied, and I am interviewing you
      1. What is the situation?
         1. Physical, Verbal, Written, Online
      2. What elements would you use?
         1. Voice
         2. Body Language
         3. Movement
         4. Background
         5. Social
         6. Physical
         7. Manner
         8. Line
      3. Asking Questions
         1. Stay in character
         2. Answer as your character
         3. Develop as you go
6. Debrief

Discussion/Vocabulary

• Techniques used to make characters different
• Technical elements to distinguish characters
• Caricature (Over the top) vs Naturalistic (Realism)
• Stereotype Definition
  • A well-known idea or image used to categorize a person or thing - a generalization.
  • Often exaggerated or oversimplified
• Stereotype recalls (What shows)
  • Mean girl cheerleader
  • Dumb Jock
  • Modern Family (Depictions of Gay and Hispanic Characters)
  • Disney Movies (Princes and Princesses)
  • Movie Villains
  • Soap Opera Characters
  • Big Band Theory - Nerds/Bimbo
• Adding Behaviors
• Walk, Talk, Mannerism
• Becoming a Character
  • Put yourself in someone else's shoes
  • Need to know every detail
  • Answers to questions need to be "in character"

Johnny Depp - https://youtu.be/A5Uc4fCsq6A
Helena Bonham-Carter - https://youtu.be/1ZIN5mhgp3Y
Beetlejuice 360 - https://youtu.be/-wunDX4PNcI