Researching the Role
To effectively portray a character, an actor must do thorough research on the role, play, and its historical context.
Introduction
The script is not the only tool needed to portray a particular role on stage. It is not enough to simply read the words on the page, you must fully understand the meaning behind them and the world of the play itself. This guide will look at how you should approach researching a role and the different kinds of research that might be necessary.
Terminology
- Adaptation: A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
- Context: The circumstances that form the setting for a play, and the world in which it can be fully understood.
- Double Entendres: A word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which may or may not be suggestive or risqué.
- Given Circumstances: The information provided by the playwright about the character and situation.
Context & Analysis
Textual Analysis
You should start your research as soon as possible, even before the audition process. Consider that you are much more likely to be cast in a production if you show knowledge and understanding of the material through your performance, rather than auditioning unprepared and putting the work in later. Your research and understanding of the world of the
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