TH 244 – Character Analysis (based on Uta Hagen’s 9 Questions)
Question Details Answers
(consider including page numbers to support your answers)
Who am I? Who is your character? Essie
29 years old
Pretty, youthful
Identify all the details:
Wife of Ed, who likes printing things, daughter of Penny
name
Sycamore, who likes to write plays, and Paul Sycamore,
age
who likes to build and tinker things, Granddaughter of
physical traits
Martin, an old man who does things for the pleasure of it
relatives, friends,
rather than what society thinks he should do, sister of
enemies
Alice, who’s the “normal” one and embarrassed of her
education (level,
family
area of interests,
Graduated high school, did not attend college
etc.)
Loves her husband and dancing, and doesn’t know or care
personal opinions
that she’s not very good at it
likes/dislikes
Her and Ed are candy makers but it’s not her passion
hobbies
Very floaty, whimsical character, more of a slow tempo
fears
and almost always dancing or stretching.
ethics
beliefs
physical tempo
rhythms &
mannerisms
What time is it? Year 1936
Season June 20th
Day 6:30pm
Minute
What is the
significance of time?
(What’s at stake? How
does time influence why
the character is saying
this now?)
Where am I? Country Usa
City/town New York City
Neighborhood Big house, in the living room
Building Private space
Room
Area of room
Public or private
space?
What is the
significance of the
space and place for
this character?
What surrounds me? What is happening in Warm but not too hot because it’s late in the day
the environment City
around you? the walls are cluttered with souvenirs and
weather decorations and things that relate to their interests,
landscape as well as paintings and china
people
animate/inanimate
objects
What is your
character’s relationship
to the space around
them?
What are the given Events in the past, Essie has been learning to dance for the past 8 years
circumstances? present, and future. The family has been going about their normal
activities
What has happened? They’re wrapping it up to get ready for dinner
What is happening? What
is going to happen?
(And how is that different
from what the character
expects to happen)?
What are my To objects Very familiar with the objects in the space
relationships? To other characters Family with all of the characters/have known them
To events for a very long time
Who is your character
speaking to (ie the
Other)? Why are they
important?
What do I want? (aka What does the She wants to be a professional dancer and focus on
the Objective) character want her dancing for the rest of her life
immediately (scene
objective)?
What does the
character want overall
(superobjective)?
Hint:
Remember, this is rooted
in the Other and is active
(i.e. must be able to be
done)?
What’s in my way? (aka What are the specific She is not a very good dancer
the Obstacle) obstacles to the Her husband wants to open a candy shop with her
character getting what and be full time candymakers
they want?
What do I do to get What actions does the She studies dance with her personal Russian ballet
what I want? character take teacher, Boris Kolenkhov
(aka Tactics) (physically & verbally)?
Hint:
Remember, these are also
active and are in the
Other. Write your tactics
on your script, associated
with the acting beat
where it’s happening.
Moment before What happened right
before this character
speaks/scene begins
that inspires this first
moment on stage?
Reflect on using these questions as part of your character development.
Which is the most important question – for you as actor, for your character?
Which question was the easiest to answer? Which was the hardest? Why?
How can answering these questions impact your acting technique and performance?
