How to Create Supporting Characters in Plays

A supporting character is connected to the plot and main characters of the play. A supporting character helps the protagonist or the antagonist reach the climax or the main conflict of the play. Writing a supporting character requires creativity and an understanding of basic human relationships.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Review the plot of the play. Analyze the main characters and think of who would logically fit into the play as a supporting character. Ask yourself, "What is needed to advance the plot?" "Who could help the characters?" and "How does the supporting character relate to the other characters?"
2. Write a brief description of the supporting character(s). Write who they are, what their relation is to the main characters, what motivates them, and what their backgrounds are.
3. Reveal the supporting character in the play. Find the most appropriate moment in the play for the character to first appear.
4. Write the supporting characters' dialogue. Show who they are and why they are there. Give them a reasonable amount of lines. The supporting characters need to have more lines than cameos or extras, but less lines than the main characters.
5. Review the sections of the play to make sure all the lines and actions fit the personalities of the characters speaking them. Rewrite any part that does not fit the play or the characters.

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