Characterization in Theatre Arts

Characterization or characterisation is the workout of the character, the artist enacts. It can also be called as an artist's homework, done before portraying the character. 

Characterization is an ancient term developed during the 15th century by Aristotle in his poems. This view was reversed in 19th Century later, by using the narration in drama to describe the character within the script. Character narration in the script / drama and that in other medias, differ. An artist can describe other artist's character or the narrator can do the needful, for the audience to understand. It can be direct or indirect. For this, one needs to pay attention towards, characters' dressing, hairstyle, facial look, physique, health (to be shown in the play. eg. Ghost of King Hamlet).

Direct Characterization: This is the physical characteristics that are seen to the audience. For example, looks, walk, the way that character talks. These can be narrated by the narrator, co-artist, or the artist himself / herself. 

Indirect Characterization: This characterization builds the actual core of the character. This explains how would the character behave in different situation. This needs to be understood carefully for exact performance. It is based on the psychological characteristics of the character. Every character has to have a variation as no person, has any similar qualities in common ever. Like as a finger print, every human is different. This has to be studied very neatly. 


Starting with Characterization, an artist should understand many aspects of a character, that support in performing that character professionally and accurately. For this, an artist needs to know and understand about the Physical Appearance as well as Mental State of the Character. 
 

Why physical appearance ?

The look of the character matters a lot. For example - Auro Paa.  His external appearance expresses his condition. This makes him different than other characters. Every character has and should have his or her uniqueness.

An advance study to make the character look real, though being a fictitious one, Psychological Workout is necessary. 

How...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtd5FsA3rYI
Every person, like as, his or her different look and appearance, has different mental thinking style. To excel in performing that character, an artist should understand how the character will think. To which action, what would be his or her reaction. As drama is all about action and reaction, every character needs to be studied psychologically too. This will make difference in the characters temper, walk, looking ability, posture, language, thinking, reactions, smile, dressing sense, etc. 

All these factors are necessary for an artist to portray that particular character. 

Now reflect on the video and state the difference that you notice about two different characters. Jot down, the physical brainstorming and psychological brainstorming of Auro as well as his friend. This will help you understand the necessity, need and perfection of characterization technique.