Building on the fundamentals of Story 1 and The Scene, “The Character” will explore the intersection of story and action with the physical and vocal embodiment of the human being that is the character. We will use two different plays, one contemporary and one classical. With each of these scripts, we will define the Givens of a character, but take the next step by exploring how this understanding might engender characterization and physical transformation. Students will learn how to remain truthful to themselves yet find ways to shift physically and vocally to allow changes that embody a character that might be different from how they normally move and speak. Through physical and vocal exercises, students will stretch the boundaries of usual choices and enter into a world where the imagination informs all aspects of the actor’s instrument. Once “characters” are fully realized, they will meet the other “characters” in the room through interviews and then in improvisations.