Hi friends! Let's talk a bit about character bios. Oh goodness, I remember ye old yonder days when I first discovered the character bio. I was in middle school, and I came across my sister's character bio from her high school theatre class. You know the ones--very long, very arduous, very dry. As I continued my training into high school, I became quite obsessed with finding and curating character bio questions. I looked through all my theatre and acting books and wrote them all down by hand until I had a master list. However, I discovered that the more I dove into these questions, the more and more distance I was creating between the character and myself. I needed new questions. I started collecting questions that made me feel something, not just think something. That's the problem with most character bio questions--they just make us think more, but not feel anything. And look, thinking is wonderful! We need to use our big bright brains beforehand as we make all of our smart actor choices. However, when we start acting, we need to think with our second brain--our gut. We need to follow impulse. And think about the word impulsive--it literally means: acting or done without forethought. So, how do we make strong, thoughtful, smart choices that also allow us to be impulsive and act without forethought?
The questions I've accumulated over the years have come from a variety of sources--the 36 Questions that Lead to Love, a Getting to Know You deck of cards, Ice Breakers...basically, a question that you would ask to get to know someone better or on a much deeper level is the EXACT kind of question you should be asking your character. That is what you are doing after all, right? Attached, you'll find my curated list of character bio questions. You might even learn about yourself in the process :) ![]()
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The ACTIVE ACTORYou are probably wondering this blog is about. Well, it's about anything that everything that I find inspiring, helpful, and curiosity building.
Curiosity is my favorite state of being, and I've become a treasure hunter and a trash hoarder, collecting all sorts of articles, artwork, and accessories that fuel my inspiration and creativity.
This will also be a place for me to document my life as an actor and coach in Los Angeles. If performing is your passion, I hope that this blog becomes a place for you to learn from my mistakes, grow from my accomplishments, laugh at my witless choices, and share in this crazy, unpredictable, beautiful, life in the arts.
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