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Sensitive Characterisation - Part 3

© Marilyn Cameron

In Sensitive Characterisation Part 2 we directed our drama members in group workshops where the Drama Worker/Director chose the 'type' of group and placed them in a 'type' of environment, although the members themselves were free to create their individual characters.

This week, we develop the work further by including dialogue, only this time, we divide the drama group into small groups of three for the following exercise in contrasting characters.

Once again, the Drama Worker/Director is suggesting the situation, however, this is to stimulate personal creativity through sensitive characterisation and to ensure that your drama group members are given the contrast of experience. To ensure that contrast, the exercise is in two parts.

Contrast Exercise - First Half

a) The scene is set in a shop of the group's choice, there are three characters

b) Character one, is a customer who has been shopping all day and is fed up with everybody and everything.

c) Character two, is a shop assistant who hates the job, the customers, and right now, the character one who has come in at closing time.

d) Character three, is the Manager, who loves making money but hates people, especially customers who arrive after the till is made up.

Give each group of three a few minutes to decide who is who, and to discuss what they are going to do. This part of the exercise gives them the opportunity for strong speaking and is based on clear-cut and straight forward emotional attitudes. When they have performed this part of the work, ask your drama group to remain in the characters they are already in for the second half of the exercise:-

Contrast Exercise - Second Half

a) The scene takes place in the same shop.

b) The characters are the same 'type' but with completely different personalities.

c) Character one, the customer is a rather shy person who is anxious not to worry people and who wants to buy a particular item.

d) Character two, the shop assistant, loves the job and is anxious to be as helpful as possible with all customers.

e) Character three, the Manager, likes the shop assistant and is helpful to all the customers, whether it is closing time or not.

This part of the exercise provides the opportunity for speaking with more control. Further development of the exercise can be gained by:-

a) the same characters being used in different situations

b) the 'personalities' of the characters being developed further by suggesting that each character should include contrasting characteristics i.e; character one could be an easy going person with a quick temper.

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