MANTRAS
It’s Day 3 of our 12-day series: Questions to Ask About Your Character.
We’re getting close to wrapping things up, have you been writing these down to use with your next audition or character prep? Your future self will thank you!
Today we’ve got a fun and thought-provoking question: If your character had a mantra, what would it be? A mantra is a simple yet powerful phrase that can empower, soothe, or refocus a character. It can reveal so much about their inner world and how they move through life. Think of phrases like:
“Watch me.”
“I am enough.”
“Failure is not an option.”
OR maybe your character says things to themself like:
“Why me?”
“Everyone hates me!”
“I can never do it.”
✨ Fun Thought: Your character might repeat their mantra in moments of solitude, struggle, or triumph. It could be something they whisper to themselves to push through fear or hardship, or it might reflect a belief they hold about the world. Does their mantra embody strength, or does it mask an insecurity? Maybe it’s something inherited from their past, or something they created to survive their challenges.
🎭 Pro Tip for Character Development:
A mantra is more than just a phrase—it’s a window into your character’s core. Ask yourself:
What motivates my character to keep going, even when it’s hard?
How might it reflect their values, fears, or desires?
Do they use it intentionally, or does it pop up subconsciously in critical moments?
Does their mantra evolve as they grow through the story?
📝 Action Step: Reflect on your own life. Do you have a personal mantra you turn to when things get tough? How does it shape your outlook or give you strength? Now, imagine stepping into your character’s shoes—what would their mantra be? Write it down and practice saying it out loud as if you were in their mindset right before performing your next scene. Notice how it shifts your energy and informs their physicality, voice, and choices.
💡 Challenge for Your Craft: Try incorporating your character’s mantra into their scenes. Maybe they say it aloud when they’re alone, or perhaps it’s something they think about when facing a major decision. Let it influence how they speak, move, and interact with others—it’s a small but powerful detail that can add layers to your performance.