Building a Character: The Basics

Apr 10

Bringing a character to life is a challenge that requires deep emotional exploration. It’s not just about making a performance believable for the audience—it’s also about ensuring that the character resonates with you as the performer. When you connect with your character on a personal level, the authenticity of your portrayal naturally follows.

Create a Backstory

One of the most overlooked yet essential steps in character development is crafting a backstory. If you don’t know where your character has been, it becomes difficult to understand how they arrived at the moment you are portraying. Give them a history—where did they grow up? Who were their parents? What formative experiences shaped their worldview? Most importantly, consider the specific events leading up to the scene in which they appear. The more detailed and layered your backstory, the more naturally your character will come to life.

Always ask yourself, “Why am I here?” What is the driving force that compels your character to take action at this particular moment? Answering this question will help you make choices that feel purposeful and grounded.

Keep It Simple

Beginner performers often try to pack too much complexity into their characters, making it difficult for the audience to absorb. Remember that you only have a limited amount of time to tell your story. Keep the core motivation clear and direct—perhaps your character is searching for something lost, seeking redemption, or confronting a personal fear.

No matter how intricate your backstory is, the audience only needs to understand the essential driving force behind your character’s actions. If you stay focused on a singular, compelling motivation, your performance will be more engaging and impactful.

Find Purpose on Stage

Every character must have a reason for being where they are. Without purpose, movement and dialogue can feel hollow or forced. Ask yourself: What does my character want? What obstacles are in their way? These questions will guide your actions and ensure that every choice you make on stage is intentional.

Embrace Emotional Dynamics

A performance that remains emotionally static loses impact. A compelling character must evolve, even in a short span of time. Think about the arc of your performance—how does your character change from the moment they step on stage to the moment they leave? Growth, revelation, or transformation, no matter how subtle, adds depth and keeps the audience invested.

Make sure to create ebbs and flows in your delivery. A performance that stays on one emotional note—whether it’s constant intensity, anger, or joy—becomes monotonous. Allow your character to breathe, to react, and to evolve in real-time.

Interact with the Audience (When Appropriate)

The audience is a living, breathing part of the performance. Sometimes, ignoring them is the right choice; at other times, direct engagement enhances the moment. Be deliberate in how you acknowledge or react to the audience—don’t shy away from experimenting with different levels of interaction. The best moments of theatrical magic often happen in unscripted, spontaneous ways.

Authenticity is Key

At its core, bringing a character to life is about sincerity. Take the time to reflect on your own emotions and experiences—what aspects of yourself can you infuse into the character? Authentic performances don’t come from imitation but from genuine connection. When you bring pieces of yourself into your portrayal, you create nuance, depth, and believability.

Jolene Farrington