Question 1: Describe three physical traits you might use to portray a nervous character on stage. Explain how each trait helps communicate the character's nervousness to the audience.

Answer: Possible physical traits include fidgeting or trembling hands, hunched posture, and avoiding eye contact. These traits visually express nervousness, making the audience understand the character's emotional state.

Question 2: Imagine you are playing a confident and outgoing character. List three vocal qualities you would use to embody this personality and justify your choices.

Answer: Vocal qualities might include a strong, clear voice; a lively, enthusiastic tone; and deliberate pacing. These qualities project confidence and enthusiasm, helping the audience perceive the character as self-assured.

Question 3: Identify and describe two ways a performer can use space effectively to convey a character's social status during a scene.

Answer: A performer can occupy the center of the stage to show dominance or status, or take up less space by shrinking into a corner to indicate submissiveness or low status. Movement and positioning help communicate social hierarchy.

Question 4: Explain the importance of facial expressions in characterisation and give two examples of expressions that could be used to show surprise and anger.

Answer: Facial expressions are crucial for conveying a character's emotions clearly to the audience. Examples include wide eyes and raised eyebrows for surprise, and clenched jaw and furrowed brows for anger.

Question 5: Imagine you are playing a character who is hiding a secret. Describe how you might use your body language and voice to suggest this to the audience.

Answer: Body language could include avoiding eye contact, keeping movements minimal, or clutching objects. Voice might be quieter, hesitant, or slightly shaky. These cues help suggest secrecy and concealment.

Question 6: Draw a simple silhouette of a character demonstrating a confident stance. Label the key features that indicate confidence (e.g., posture, arm placement).

Answer: A confident stance features upright posture, shoulders back, chest slightly forward, and arms either relaxed at the sides or confidently placed on hips. Labels should highlight these features.

Question 7: Describe how a performer might use pacing and pauses to build tension when portraying a suspenseful or emotional scene.

Answer: Slow pacing and deliberate pauses can heighten suspense or emotion, allowing the audience to focus on key moments or cues. Quick, irregular movements can increase anxiety or urgency.

Question 8: Explain the difference between using physical movement and facial expression to portray a character's feeling of guilt.

Answer: Physical movement might include avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, or shrinking away. Facial expressions could involve downcast eyes, a frown, or a guilty look. Movement shows avoidance, while facial cues reveal internal emotion.

Question 9: Sketch a quick idea for a costume detail that could help indicate a character's personality or background. Describe what your sketch would include.

Answer: The sketch should include a specific costume element, such as a worn-out hat, a bright scarf, or a military jacket. The description should explain how this detail reflects the character's personality or history, e.g., 'a torn scarf suggesting hardship.'

Question 10: Choose a scene from a play and describe how you would modify your body language and voice to show your character's emotional change from the start to the end of the scene.

Answer: Initially, the character might have tense body language, a soft voice, and avoidant gestures. By the end, they might stand tall, speak loudly or passionately, and use expressive gestures, indicating emotional release or resolution.