CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE

(from Singing, Acting and Movement in Opera by Mark Ross Clark)

Objective: Establishing basic character guidelines; creating a blueprint of the character.

Directions: Complete the following questionnaire:

Character Questionnaire:

Name of opera:_______________________________________________________________________

Character’s full name: _____________________________ Age: _____________

Place of birth: ___________________________________

Physical Characteristics:

Height: _________________ Weight: ________________

Size description (best word to describe body size): ___________________________

Hair (texture, color, style): ______________________________________________

Eyes (color, size, description): ___________________________________________

Facial description (shape of face): ________________________________________

Mouth: thin full

Skin description: pale dark

Skin quality: smooth swarthy

Race/nationality: _____________________________ Dialect? _________________________________

Martial status: _______________________________ Lovers? __________________________________

Education level:

Not educated in school Higher degree of education: where? ______________________

Economic/social status: ________________________________________________________________

General physical condition, health, vitality: __________________________________________________

General kinesthetic description (graceful, powerful): __________________________________________

Evaluate walk; when is it different? ________________________________________________________

Describe grooming:

Hair: ________________________ Face_________________________

Hands: ______________________ Bathing habits: _________________

Function of clothes—Describe taste in selection and care of clothes:______________________________

______________________________ jewelry: _______________________________________________

What object(s) might you see in the character’s hands during the course of the opera/scene? ____________________________________________________________________________________

What item(s) would your character carry in his or her pockets/purse (watch/glasses): ________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Personality Traits:

In general, is your character a leader, follower, or clown? ______________________________________

Does your character have a temper? ______________________________________________________

General Demeanor: Careful/cautious Bold/chance taker

Calm/relaxed Nervous/anxious

Physical manifestations (biting fingernails, rocking on heels): ___________________________________

Other general gestural characteristics (hands in pocket, behind back, etc.) ________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

The Past:

Describe the social/economic conditions under which your character was raised: ___________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Work experience: _____________________________________________________________________

Family size: _____________________________ Religion: _____________________________________

Describe your character’s mother: ________________________________________________________

The father: __________________________________________________________________________

Siblings: ____________________________________________________________________________

Your own impression of your character’s childhood: __________________________________________

Relationships:

Describe your character’s relationship to other characters in the opera as established; then in the end:

____________________________________________________________________________________

What is your character’s source of income? _________________________________________________

Who is your character’s best friend? ______________________________________________________

Write our your objectives in each scene in which you appear. What do you want? Does you character get what he/she wants? ___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Describe your character’s reactions to events: _______________________________________________

What is your character’s place dramatically in this opera? ______________________________________

Your character’s place in the drama? ______________________________________________________

Emotional Range:

Circle characteristic emotions of your character:

Amused

Defiant

Feeble

Impulsive

Playful

Spiteful

Annoyed

Deliberate

Forgiving

Jealous

Pleasant

Submissive

Ashamed

Ecstatic

Frantic

Loving

Proud

Thoughtful

Bitter

Elated

Gentle

Meek/timid

Sarcastic

Uneasy

Candid

Enraged

Greedy

Mocking

Scornful

Vexed

Curious

Fearful

Hopeful

Nervous

Serious

Worried

• Write a short description of the character that answers the following questions:

1. What does the character want and desire in every scene?

2. What does the character learn from the beginning of the opera to the end? How does he/she change?

3. What clues to the emotions of the character do you find in the text and music?

4. How do you identify with the character? Does the character remind you of someone (in your life or a literary, film, or TV character)?