2 Character and Objectives Free Online FlashCards

What are given circumstances?

Given circumstances are the play’s facts that shape what is possible in a scene.

How should actors ground their interpretation of a character’s circumstances?

Start with evidence in the script, distinguish stated facts from reasonable inferences, and avoid backstory that conflicts with the text.

What is the “Magic If” used for in acting?

The “Magic If” asks, “What would I do if I were in these circumstances?” It engages imagination while keeping the role grounded in the play’s facts.

What is a character’s objective?

An objective is what a character wants to achieve in a scene or moment.

How does a super-objective relate to scene objectives?

A super-objective is a larger, play-long aim; smaller scene objectives contribute to that larger pursuit.

What marks a beat in a scene?

Beats are units of action in which the character’s immediate pursuit or approach changes.

What counts as an obstacle to a character’s objective?

An obstacle is anything that resists the character’s objective, such as another person’s refusal, lack of time, fear, or divided loyalties.

What is a tactic in acting?

A tactic is an action the character uses to overcome an obstacle and pursue an objective.

Can a character change tactics without changing the objective?

Tactics may change while the objective stays the same—for example, a character might tease, then reason with, then plead with a friend to stay.

What makes an acting choice playable?

A playable choice is specific, active, and supported by the circumstances; it directs the actor to do something rather than merely display an emotion.

In the Mara and Jon example, what is Mara’s objective and obstacle?

Mara wants Jon to delay selling the family home. Her obstacle is that he believes keeping it is financially impossible and the deadline is close.

What kinds of facts make up a scene’s given circumstances?

They include who the character is, where and when the scene occurs, what happened before, who is present, and the pressures or relationships affecting the moment.