How should students be trained to analyze characters in intermediate acting?

Training students to analyze characters in intermediate acting through movement and dialogue is crucial because both elements are fundamental to embodying a character's traits, motivations, and emotional states. Movement allows actors to express physicality that can reflect a character's personality and relationships, while dialogue provides insights into the character's thoughts, desires, and conflicts. By engaging with both aspects, students learn to interpret a character more holistically, leading to a deeper understanding and portrayal in performance.

In contrast, memorizing scripts primarily focuses on recall rather than analysis. While it's important for actors to know their lines, understanding the character involves more than just memorization. Costumes, while they can enhance a character's appearance, do not inherently lead to an understanding of their inner life or intentions. Historical context, while valuable for grounding a character in a specific time and place, does not directly engage a student in the physical and verbal embodiment of that character, which is essential for performance. Thus, focusing on movement and dialogue equips students with practical tools to analyze and portray their characters effectively.