How to Play a Comedic Character

As with any art form, the artist tends to have an affinity for one particular role or way to go about their art. Comedy comes easily to some, and can be more difficult to ease into for others. In order to effectively play a comedic character you will need to find your way.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Let the script read. For most comedic scripts the playwright has taken the script very seriously. When writing for comedy they are forming the script to be funny. As an actor, letting the script be funny and not trying to botch it up with silly gestures or over the top facial expressions can be your best bet in being able to play a comedic character.
2. Get to know the character. Finding out all you can about the character through the text, and your imagination, can help you connect with the role. By making some unusual or imaginative choices in the life of the character you can bring a new spin on the scenes in which your character is supposed to be seen as funny. Try to avoid affecting the character too much, because the true humor tends to come out in the very human aspects of the script.
3. Know the script. By reading the entire play, and familiarizing yourself with all of the characters in the script, you will be able to discern what kind of comedy show it is. If it is a slap stick or melodramatic kind of script, then go from there. Slap stick requires much physical comedy and falls. If it is a straight comedy script, meaning that it is played straight or "real" and derives comedy from the true to life acting, play it accordingly.
4. Play off of others. Most true to life comedy stems from the way characters interact with each other. Reacting to someone else's lines is a good thing, but over reacting is not. Pay close attention to your body and facial expressions when interacting with your characters. Reality is often funnier than fiction, so making your character as realistic as possible can get you to play a comedic character effectively.
5. Use timing. Timing in comedy is usually very quick. Push the tempo in your speech and pause only at the appropriate times for the script. This will help keep the audience engaged in the performance, and will help the comedy play out naturally.

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