You can't have a play without characters. You can put talking (or non-talking) dogs or rocks on stage, but guess what: they're still characters. That means you have to figure out who they are. Let me suggest three possible models:

Model One

The police file or bone structure model. Divide a character's attributes into three categories: physical, social and emotional. Physical includes things like height, weight, skin color, muscularity, etc. Social is education, class, job, hobbies, history, family, living situation, religion—all the things that have to do with a person and his place in society. Emotional includes mental health and disposition—all things psychological. Be as exhaustive as you can in creating the character to create a detailed person.

Remember, not all (maybe not even most) of this information will actually find its way into the play. So why bother to make it up? Isn't it a waste of time? The answer is no, because this information will show why a character behaves the way she does. For example, knowing that Ellen's best childhood friend was black may explain why Ellen sticks up for a black woman she doesn't know in a dispute at a restaurant. That Ellen's friend was black may never come up in the play, but you, the author, knows.

Model Two

Simply start writing. Create an age and gender, then let the character behave how he or she wants to behave. This is probably best for more experienced writers. E-mail me to ask me why.

Model Three

The compromise solution—between Models One and Two, but not necessarily in quality. Come up with the character's name and gender, then try to create a few defining points for each character. For example, Ben (the homeless teen in the play named for him) was put up for adoption when he was nearly four years old, used to wrestle before he dropped out of high school and was abused by his therapist. He is nearly sixteen years old. These pieces of information define, in broad strokes, who he is. The details can then come in the writing. I like this approach because it gives you a certain foundation, but it doesn't lock you in. This is how I work.

Model Three "A"

This is a slightly more structured variation on Model Three. For each character, come up with three words to describe him. For example, she is a mother, a teacher and a sky diver. Come up with three physical characteristics (e.g. athletic) and three emotional ones (e.g. uptight) to go along with them. Add in one problem. For example, he wants to buy a car. Find an obstacle. He has no money. Sprinkle one secret into the mix—he has been arrested for drunk driving and lost his license, perhaps—and you're ready to serve.

Character Tip: Find a Verb

Define each character with a verb, and let that verb help you shape their behavior. For example, a character who "hides" may be the one who leaves the room in the middle of a confrontation or who cannot be without his friend (behind whom he hides).

 

Want to Create Even More Memorable Characters?!

Order Young Playwrights 101 today and learn such powerful techniques as the tension of opposites and how to create compelling absent characters. Make every character shine, and learn why some plays are more likely to be produced than others--all because of character.