4.3 Developing Scenarios and Characters

Developing scenarios and characters is crucial for creating impactful forum theatre. This process involves crafting multidimensional characters with clear motivations and objectives, while also representing diverse perspectives and challenging stereotypes.

Building engaging scenarios requires addressing social issues and power dynamics. By exploring conflicts that arise from competing objectives and systemic inequalities, theatre practitioners can create compelling stories that resonate with audiences and inspire social change.

Developing Compelling Characters

Crafting Multidimensional Characters

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Top images from around the web for Crafting Multidimensional Characters

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  Frontiers | Evoking and Measuring Identification with Narrative Characters – A Linguistic Cues ... View original

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  Red's Writings: 7 Steps to Creating Realistic, Relatable Characters View original

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• 

  Multidimensional Spirit - Download Free 3D model by Miguelangelo Rosario (@miguelangelo2k ... View original

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  Frontiers | Evoking and Measuring Identification with Narrative Characters – A Linguistic Cues ... View original

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• Develop characters with depth and complexity to make them relatable and engaging for the audience
• Create a detailed backstory for each character that informs their personality, beliefs, and actions
• Establish clear motivations for characters that drive their decision-making and create tension in the story
• Define specific objectives for each character that they actively pursue throughout the scenario
• Write realistic dialogue that reflects the characters' backgrounds, personalities, and emotional states

Representing Diverse Perspectives

• Include characters from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities to represent a range of perspectives
• Explore how characters' unique experiences shape their worldviews and interactions with others
• Challenge stereotypes by creating characters that defy common assumptions and expectations
• Utilize archetypes thoughtfully to tap into universal human experiences while avoiding oversimplification

Addressing Social Issues

Examining Power Dynamics

• Identify and address relevant social issues that impact characters' lives and relationships
• Explore how power imbalances based on factors such as race, gender, class, and ability shape characters' experiences
• Investigate the ways in which systemic oppression and privilege influence characters' opportunities and challenges
• Highlight how power dynamics within relationships and institutions can perpetuate or challenge social inequities

Challenging Stereotypes and Assumptions

• Confront and subvert stereotypes associated with marginalized groups to promote more nuanced understandings
• Examine how stereotypes and assumptions can limit characters' self-perceptions and opportunities
• Demonstrate the harm caused by perpetuating stereotypes and the importance of challenging them
• Create characters that defy stereotypes and offer alternative narratives that promote empathy and understanding

Creating Engaging Scenarios

Building Compelling Conflicts

• Develop central conflicts that create tension, raise stakes, and keep the audience invested in the story
• Explore conflicts that arise from competing objectives, values, or worldviews among characters
• Investigate how power imbalances and systemic issues contribute to conflicts between characters and groups
• Create conflicts that challenge characters to confront their assumptions, grow, and make difficult choices

Driving Character Actions and Interactions

• Ensure that characters' objectives and motivations drive their actions and decision-making throughout the scenario
• Explore how characters' objectives and motivations may clash, creating tension and conflict
• Demonstrate how power dynamics between characters influence their interactions and choices
• Investigate how characters' backstories and experiences shape their approaches to pursuing their objectives