Activities

CHARACTER HOT-SEATING

Number of participants

10 to 15 participants

Objectives

● To explore and deepen understanding of a character.
● To develop a deeper understanding of motivations, background, and emotional landscape.

Where does the activity take place within the process (beginning, middle, end)

End

Duration

2 hours

Material needed

Preparation

Select a Character: Choose a character from a play, story, or any other context relevant to your group. The character can be well-known to all participants or newly introduced.

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

1. Briefly introduce the activity and its objectives to the group. Explain that the goal is to explore the character’s depth and nuances through questioning. Place a chair in the centre of the room or in a spot where the “character” is visible to all audience members. This is the hot seat.

2. Select an Actor: One participant volunteers or is selected to portray the character. This person should have some knowledge about the character’s background, personality, and circumstances.

3. Prepare the Audience: The rest of the group forms the audience. They will be asking questions about the character. Encourage them to think creatively and critically about what they want to know from the character.

4. The selected actor takes their place in the hot seat and adopts the persona of the character. They should fully embody the character, including their voice, posture, and mannerisms.

5. Audience members take turns asking questions to the character. These can range from personal background and motivations to feelings about certain events or other characters. Encourage the audience to ask open-ended questions that require thoughtful responses.

6. The person in the hot seat answers to each question in character, improvising answers based on their understanding of the character’s perspective and backstory. The depth and thoughtfulness of the answers contribute to a richer understanding of the character.

7. It’s crucial for the actor to remain in character throughout the session, even when faced with challenging questions. This consistency helps maintain the illusion and depth of the character exploration.

Closing up

After the session, have a group discussion about the experience. Discuss what was learned about the character, how the activity affected participants’ understanding, and any insights gained into the character’s motivations and actions.

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

Character Hot-Seating not only aids in character development but also in building empathy and understanding among participants, making it a powerful tool in drama education and theatre production. Tips for success: - Preparation: If possible, the actor should prepare by learning about the character's background, motivations, and relationships. This preparation enables more detailed and consistent responses. - Encourage Empathy: Remind the audience to approach the character with empathy and curiosity, aiming to understand rather than judge. - Diverse Questions: Promote a variety of questions that cover different aspects of the character's life and psyche, from light-hearted to more profound inquiries.
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