Characterisation Activities For use with

WJEC Performing

Arts GCSE Unit 1 and

Unit 3 Task 1

Task 1

I love you bunny, but I just can't smile .

• Stand in a circle. • The learner to the left of the teacher starts by

saying, to the learner on their left, ‘I love you bunny, but I just can't smile’.

• Continue around the circle with each learner repeating the phrase to the person on their left.

• You should try and say the phrase with a straight face and without laughing.

Task 2

The Jeremy Kyle showEach performance group will, in turn, be guests on The Jeremy Kyle Show. Your teacher will be in role as Jeremy Kyle, the rest of the class will be the audience. • Set up the classroom as The Jeremy Kyle Show

studio. • Your teacher introduces the 1st group who must

enter and sit on stage in character. • Your teacher will introduce the characters to the

audience, giving some brief information. • Audience members are invited to ask questions.  

Task 3

Magic if

• Sit on the floor with your eyes closed. • When someone taps you on the shoulder, answer

the question your teacher asks you, based on what your character would do ‘if’.

• For example, 'What would you do if you only had a day to live?’

 

Task 4

Finding the subtext

• Write on your script what your character is really thinking throughout the scene.

• Once you have done this, rehearse the scene but only speaking your character’s thoughts.

• Perform these scenes to the class. • Now, go back to your original scene - keeping the

subtext in mind - and rehearse the scene again, but focusing on how you can communicate the subtext through your use of gestures, body language, intonation, etc.

 

Task 5

Character Moulding

• Get into pairs and name yourselves A and B. • Partner A: Imagine you are a blob of clay and are

going to be moulded into your character by your partner.

• Partner B: you will be the Sculptor. • You will have one minute for the sculpting to

happen. • Show your sculpture to the class. Your teacher will

invite other learners to comment on it. • Repeat the exercise with Partner A as the Sculptor. 

 

Task 6

On-text Improvisation

• In groups, choose a scene which shows the most about the characters.

• Rehearse the scene in your own words and notice how your character acts.

• Write your ideas down. • Then replay the scene using the actual text.  

Task 7Off-Text

ImprovisationHere are 3 exercises to show the relationship between characters:

1. Pair up with another member of your group. Create a short improvisation showing the characters trapped in a lift.

2. Create an improvisation showing when the characters first met and exploring the back history between the characters.

3. Look at the beginning of the play and improvise what happens five minutes before the scene, ending at the opening of the play. This can help with the entrance of your character or the positioning on the stage and will clarify your purpose in the scene.

Task 8Belief

You need to learn to react to the role your teacher is playing. • As soon as you realise who your teacher

is, adopt the posture and attitude of the character.

• Ask the character questions and help them with decisions.

• Take on the role and believe in the situation.

• Talk to other learners in character and treat them as you think their character would be treated.

 

Extension tasks are available in the Teacher Notes