Intentions

Definition

Intentions refer to the underlying motivations and objectives that drive a character's actions in a performance. They serve as the foundation for purposeful actions on stage, influencing how an actor portrays their role and interacts with other characters. Understanding a character's intentions helps to create a more authentic and compelling portrayal, making the performance resonate with the audience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intentions help actors connect with their characters on a deeper level, making performances more believable and relatable.
2. Identifying a character's intentions can enhance an actor's understanding of their relationships with other characters and the overall narrative.
3. Actors often explore various layers of intentions, including conscious and unconscious motivations, to add complexity to their performances.
4. Intentions can shift throughout a performance as circumstances change, requiring actors to adapt their portrayal dynamically.
5. Directing and feedback from peers can refine an actor's grasp of intentions, leading to stronger portrayals and more engaging storytelling.

Review Questions

• How do intentions shape an actor's approach to their character during a performance?
  • Intentions are crucial as they guide an actor's choices in how to portray their character. By understanding what drives their character's actions, an actor can make informed decisions about body language, vocal delivery, and emotional expression. This alignment between intention and action helps create a cohesive performance that resonates with the audience and enhances the storytelling.
• Discuss how subtext relates to intentions and why it's important for a successful performance.
  • Subtext plays a vital role in conveying intentions because it reveals the deeper meanings behind a character's words and actions. While intentions provide the goals a character aims for, subtext adds layers of complexity by hinting at what characters truly feel or desire beyond what is explicitly stated. This relationship allows actors to create nuanced performances that engage the audience on multiple levels, making the narrative more compelling.
• Evaluate how understanding both conscious and unconscious intentions can impact an actor's performance quality.
  • Understanding both conscious and unconscious intentions can significantly enhance an actor's performance quality by adding depth to their portrayal. Conscious intentions are those clearly articulated by the character, while unconscious intentions may influence behavior without overt acknowledgment. When actors tap into these layers, they can create more complex and authentic characters that resonate with audiences, as they reflect the real human experience of conflicting desires and motivations in storytelling.

Related terms

Objectives: Objectives are specific goals that characters strive to achieve within a scene or play, which are often influenced by their intentions.

Subtext: Subtext is the underlying meaning or context behind a character's words and actions, often revealing their true intentions.

Motivation: Motivation refers to the reasons behind a character's intentions and actions, shaping how they pursue their objectives throughout the story.