Character and role — Drama, 7–10 years
A character is the person, animal or creature an actor brings to life. A role is the part that actor takes in the play.
What is a character?
A character is someone or something inside the story, such as a baker, a fox or a talking moon. An actor shows that character through choices: how they move, speak, look and react.
Why have characters?
A story needs someone whose wishes and problems we can follow. Without a character, events may happen, but we do not know what they mean to anyone or why we should care about the next moment.
Building a character
Imagine playing a lonely lighthouse keeper. First choose a wish: she wants a visitor. Then choose a worry: the storm may stop boats arriving. You might look towards the sea, hold a lantern tightly and speak softly when the door finally opens.
The common trap
A common mistake is to make a character only a costume or a funny voice. That is understandable because these details are easy to notice first. But a character also needs a reason for acting, even if the audience discovers it through small clues.
Where it is used
Characters appear in plays, films, cartoons, puppetry and stories read aloud. They also help when you invent a game: deciding what your explorer wants makes the game easier to continue than simply choosing a costume.
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