Last week I asked the group to share examples of stand-up performers who make effective use of character in their performances -- That post is still active below this one, and you *absolutely* should add to it if you have something to share! The examples so far have been wide-ranging and obviously thoughtful: Gigantic, in-your-face personalities like Robin Williams & Jim Carrey; Opinion-driven acts like Doug Stanhope and George Carlin; masters of the silly non-sequitur like Rory Scovel. In all cases, a simple observation can be made: These acts define and control their character by being consistent. Whether your character matches, exaggerates or diverges from your own genuine personality it is crucial that the sum of your words and actions on stage is a unified front, a collection of choices and moments that reinforce a single identity. Material selection is often the most obvious element of establishing character and perhaps the easiest for young perfomers with a narrow breadth of material -- quite possibly your catalogue of jokes already does a good job of expressing something important about your personality or outlook. Even so, its important to plan a set with character in mind: Does it make sense if your opening joke is about being bad with pick-up lines but your closer is about having dates every night of the week? Or to joke about being poor one minute and mention buying a new iPhone the next? If your material paints the picture of a certain type of person, its important for character to build your entire set with the same ideals in mind. Other choices can be both more creative and more deliberate: What does your character dress like? What sort of posture does your character move with? Is your character the sort who bounds energetically onto the stage or does a slow, lumbering approach make more sense as a first impression? Should you speak quietly or loud? With perfect elocution or with an edgy bark? Do you hold a drink? Office drone, tired new dad, tomboy, hip-hop afficianado -- whatever role you opt to play, think carefully about how your appearance and mannerisms reinforce or confuse your image. Characters can be simple and obvious or textured and complicated, but the most memorable characters are built out of thoughtful, careful choices. In the week leading up to the next Development Night, I encourage you to be thoughtful about your own comedic identity -- ask your friends how they would describe your character, and compare their responses to the effect youve been going for. Think about your costume, your intensity and your material choices and plan a set that uses each to enhance the personality you want your audience to connect with. Wednesday nights activities will call upon volunteers to perform and/or discuss the character-related choices they make. If youd like to volunteer in advance, drop me a line. (Dont forget -- eager participants earn bonus points toward their Chase Your Butterfly scores!) See you all soon!
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 18:24:11 +0000
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