HSC Drama Individual Performance.. i have an idea on characterisation but want to know if its a good idea??

Question

So for my hsc im doing drama, and we have to do an individual performance. I can kind of relate to my character. I am adapting a piece from a play called "Invisible Friends" and the character i play is a teenager who pretty much has an invisible friend still from childhood who keeps her company as her family has kind of rejected her in a way.



Its not a teenage angst piece, it focuses on the invisble friend and when i'v finished writing it, it will be about finding a way to be able to exist with out this fictional person who has kept the character from being lonely.





Its a really good piece that im trying to make as real as possible, and i was thinking for learning more about the character and becoming her more, if writing a diary or journal BY HER would be a good way to do this. she's a teenager so its something she would do, and i would write it (hopefully) in character.





Do you think this is a good idea?

Answer 1

I think this is a great idea! Good for you to commiting to the character and for being willing to do the work. It's what makes us actors.
I would do that and also do a character analysis. This is a list of questions you answer as your character. It helps you know your character as well as you know yourself.
What's your Name?
How Old are you?
where do you live?
What's your religion?
Do you have siblings?
What are their names, how old are they?
Are parents together?
How do you get along with your mother? Father?
What's your social status?
What class is your family?
What's your biggest fear? Accomplishment? regret? Most embarrasing moment?
What do you want people to know about you?
What don't you want people to know about you?
What do you want to do with your life?
What do you want?(In the scene or monologue)
How do you get what you want?
What stands in your way?
These are just a few questions. Come up with your own too. The idea is to be as specific as possible.
Have fun with it. and break a leg!

Answer 2

No I do not. To take it to the extreme, you might start becoming her if you do something as intense as the journal. Also, you don't want to start coming up with stuff that's not there. Take your character from the text of the play. Go through the play, and write down what people say about her, what the playwrite says about her, and what she says about herself.
Then look at what you have and base the beginnings of your charcter about that. Then work with some Michael chekhov to get into the physical aspect of your charaacter. If all else fails, read up on the staislavski technique.

You must differentiate your real life from hers. I've gotten so far into characters that I haven't been able toget out, to get away, and that's scary.

So be careful, work hard, have fun!