Character Breakdowns
How to Read a Character Breakdown
Before you audition for a role, you may be given only a few sentences describing the character you're being asked to play.
So, how do you use that information?
A character breakdown is the information casting provides about a role. It can include the character's name, age range, occupation, personality traits, relationships, background, and other details that help actors understand who they're being asked to audition for.
But, it is important to think of the breakdown as a starting point.
When reading a character breakdown, pay attention to the details casting has chosen to give you.
Look for information about:
Who the character is
What they do
Their relationships
Their personality
Their circumstances
Anything specific casting is looking for
Don't overlook the small details. Sometimes a single word or phrase can give you useful information about the character.
But remember: the breakdown is only one piece of the puzzle. The description isn’t the entire person.
Imagine meeting someone for five minutes and then being asked to describe them.
You might be able to tell someone their job, their personality, how they were dressed, and a few things they said—but you wouldn't know everything about who they are.
A character breakdown works in a similar way.
Casting gives you a snapshot of the person. Your job as the actor is to take that information and begin creating a fully developed human being within the world of the story.
If the breakdown describes a character as sarcastic, confident, nervous, or intimidating, look for opportunities in the script where those qualities can naturally come through.
But don't turn those descriptions into a checklist.
A sarcastic character doesn’t necessarily mean an actor should play sarcasm in every single moment, a nervous character might not look nervous in every single scene, and so on.
Find moments where the behavior makes sense. The character should still feel like a living, breathing human being with different reactions, experiences, and moments within the world you're creating.
Don't Forget the Script!
The character breakdown gives you your starting point. The script gives you more of the picture.
Once you have the sides or full script, look at what the character actually says and does, who they're interacting with, and what the story reveals about them.
Use the breakdown to understand where you're starting, then let the script help you build the person.
Don't just play the description. Be the human being.
Want to Dive Deeper?
At Actorsite, we help actors take what they've learned and apply it to real audition material.
Through our Private Coaching, Kids/Teens, and Adults training options, actors can develop their skills, work with experienced coaches, and gain the confidence and industry knowledge they need to be prepared when an audition comes their way.