What is a primary characteristic of Expressionist theatre regarding the portrayal of characters?

Expressionist theatre is primarily characterized by the use of highly exaggerated movements and voice techniques. This style aims to convey the emotional experiences and psychological states of characters rather than to depict reality in a traditional manner. In Expressionist performances, physicality and vocal delivery are amplified to express inner turmoil, feelings of alienation, or existential dread that characters may experience. The emphasis is on evoking strong emotional reactions from the audience rather than creating a realistic portrayal of life or relatable characters.

In contrast, realistic and relatable characters may belong to a different theatrical tradition, such as realism, where the focus is on characters that audiences can identify with based on their everyday lives. The in-depth exploration of personal backstories is more typical of traditional forms of drama that aim to build character context and motivation, rather than the abstract, often fragmented nature of Expressionist storytelling. Similarly, minimalist scenes that focus strictly on dialogue tend to align with certain modernist or postmodern styles but do not capture the essence of the vivid, dynamic expression that defines Expressionist theatre.