Objective

Definition

In the context of theatre, an objective refers to a character's specific goal or desire that drives their actions and choices throughout a performance. Understanding a character's objective helps actors create believable performances by providing motivation and context for their behavior on stage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Objectives are crucial for actors as they inform how to approach and portray a character authentically, enhancing emotional depth and realism.
2. Stanislavski emphasized the importance of objectives in his system, encouraging actors to explore what their characters want in each scene.
3. Objectives can shift throughout a performance as characters encounter obstacles or changes in circumstances, reflecting the complexity of human desires.
4. An actor’s ability to clearly communicate their character's objective helps engage the audience and drives the narrative forward.
5. Understanding both short-term and long-term objectives enables actors to create more nuanced and layered performances.

Review Questions

• How does understanding a character's objective enhance an actor's performance?
  • Understanding a character's objective is essential for actors because it provides them with clear motivations that inform their actions and reactions on stage. By identifying what their character wants at any given moment, actors can create more authentic and emotionally resonant performances. This clarity helps in portraying the character's journey convincingly, allowing audiences to connect with the story on a deeper level.
• Discuss the relationship between objectives and subtext in dramatic performances.
  • Objectives and subtext are intricately linked in dramatic performances, as objectives often drive the subtext of a character’s dialogue. While objectives represent what a character explicitly wants, subtext reveals the deeper, often unspoken motivations behind their words. For instance, a character may say one thing while actually pursuing a different goal, creating tension and complexity in their interactions. This dynamic enriches the performance by adding layers of meaning for the audience.
• Evaluate how Stanislavski's concept of objectives contributes to modern acting techniques and methods.
  • Stanislavski's concept of objectives has profoundly influenced modern acting techniques by emphasizing the necessity for actors to understand their characters' desires deeply. This focus on objectives encourages actors to analyze scripts critically and develop strong, relatable portrayals grounded in genuine motivations. By applying this framework, contemporary actors can create performances that resonate emotionally with audiences, thereby maintaining the relevance of Stanislavski's methods in today’s theatrical landscape.

Related terms

Superobjective: The overarching goal or desire of a character that encompasses all their actions throughout a play or performance.

Subtext: The underlying meaning or intention behind a character's spoken lines, which often reveals their true objectives or emotions.

Motivation: The reasons behind a character's actions, which are closely tied to their objectives and help shape their behavior in the narrative.