Enjoy this Character Analysis Worksheet designed for Kids Grades 4-6
In my experience directing as many as 111 young actors, I have learned that it is nearly impossible for one adult (and even two adults) to keep every student fully engaged 100% of the time. I often found myself having to come up with relevant tools and assignments — “busy work” — to help me maintain focus and stave off distractions in rehearsals. This character analysis worksheet was one of the tools that I developed to serve that purpose.
I intend to avail more worksheets like this for a variety of age groups but, for now, enjoy this one and feel free to share your thoughts about it.
This worksheet is by no means an end-all-be-all guide to character analysis, but it will give beginning actors a starting point for their research. I’ve known actors who have filled entire journals with thoughts, ideas and discoveries about the characters they play. Elizabeth Franz who played Linda Loman in the 1999 Tony Award winning production of Death of a Salesman wrote an entire novel in preparation for her portrayal of Linda Loman, for which she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. The point is, acting does require some homework and it’s never too early to encourage young people to develop skills in research, analysis and critical thinking. Assuming that their interest in theater is voluntary and not mandatory, kids might be more open to analysis at an earlier age when it’s associated with something they are doing for fun as opposed to something they are doing for a class.