The actor’s awareness of others is not merely a matter of observation. Stage relationships that are properly dramatic must suggest a potential for dramatic change – i.e. love, hate. These potentials are the dynamics of relationships. Because this potential for love or hate is always present, we say that characters are vulnerable.

Exercise 12 Vulnerability

In pairs, have students write a two page scene that will suggest a potential for a love or hate relationship. They must also write down who they are, where they are what is the relationship with the other character and what is going on in the scene. (Give the students twenty minutes to write the scene, and fifteen minutes to memorize and rehearse.) When ready, have the students perform the scene in front of the class.