Not Clicking With Your Character? 5 Steps for Connecting to Your Role

Written by Ashleigh Gardner

July 6, 2017

You’ve been cast in your school’s play! You’ve got the script, you’re ready to go, and then…you can’t find a connection to the person you’re playing. What to do next? We’ve got a list of suggestions so you can get on that stage and get into character.

1. Realize that the character you’re playing is a person.

First and foremost, you have to understand that the playwright who wrote your character wrote a person (even though they may be one dimensional…), and it’s your job to see the humanity in the person you’re playing.

2. See yourself in the person you’re playing.

There’s a reason you were cast in the role you have! The director saw a piece of you that they also saw in the character you’re playing, so examine your character and find how they’re similar to you. How would they react to their circumstance? How would you react?

3. See how your character is different from yourself.

After you’ve examined the similarities between you and your character, look at the differences. There are bound to be a few you can find. Once you’ve spotted them, try and find out why your character is so different in those ways. It’ll help you understand them a little better.

4. Understand your character’s motivation.

Everyone does something for a reason. Why do you go to class? Why did you go to that party? Why did you choose to get out of bed today? Seek out why your character does what they do! They have to have a reason, whether it’s because they’re scared, passionate, or curious.

5. Do some character development work.

There are tons of different options when it comes to doing character development work. You can journal, make a music mix, bake food that your character would bake, make a character collage, and more. The possibilities are endless!



Need some advice? We’ve got you covered.

Ashleigh Gardner received her AA in Theatre/Drama/Dramatic Arts from Valencia College and her Bachelors Degree in English Literature and Masters Degree in Literary, Cultural, and Textual Studies from the University of Central Florida. She is a playwright, an actor, and PerformerStuff.com’s Editor.