HOW OLD AM I?

Exercise Beginner 2 min 1–1

Description

In this exercise, a single player explores age through character creation at a bus stop. After deciding on an age and writing it down, they will wait for a bus, using physicality and actions to express their character's age without explicitly stating it.

Setup Requirements

A corner bus stop setup with a bench and storefront background.

Point of Concentration

on the age chosen.

Side Coaching

The bus is half a block down! It’s coming closer; It’s here!
Sometimes adding, It’s held up in traffic! gives added insight to the character.

Points of Observation

Watch for rhythms and movements that clarify the character's age.
Pay attention to how the student-actor interacts with their environment.
Monitor for moments when they act versus when they simply wait.

Evaluation

How old was the character? Did they show us or tell us?
Are age qualities expressed physically?
Do age differences reflect in their attitude?
Did they engage with the bus or just the coaching?

Examples

A character skips on stage, chews gum, sits on a bench, and blows bubbles, getting gum stuck on their nose.
A character sits aggressively with a briefcase, takes notes, and checks for the bus while fidgeting.