Role-character and role-hero as components of the actor’s skill when working on a student performance

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to examine the difference between the professional concepts of “role-character” and “role-hero” and to apply two corresponding models of role work in the production of a student play with actors who are students of higher specialised education. The research methodology is based on the use of general theoretical and special approaches and scientific methods; a systematic approach to focus on a holistic vision of the components of acting skills when working on a play; comparative analysis to compare the concepts of “role-character” and “role-hero”. The methods of analysis, synthesis and abstraction were used to identify the similarities and differences between the concepts of “role-character” and “role-hero” and their features. The method of theoretical generalisation was used to summarise the results of the study. The scientific novelty lies in the comparison of the professional concepts of “role-character” and “role-hero”, which is used for the first time in the study of the problems of creating a stage image, and their author’s definitions are given. This study is used to build a methodology for the educational process during the creation of a student performance. In the context of the study of professional concepts, the article analyses the creative and theoretical achievements of domestic and foreign directors and acting teachers. Conclusions. The author examines the keys to and obstacles to skilful acting by student actors related to the problems of working on a role on the example of a student theatre production based on V. Nestayko’s novel “Toreadors from Vasiukivka”. The author’s models of decisions on creative, practical and theoretical issues in the process of educating future stage artists in higher theatre institutions are proposed. The author’s definitions of the concepts of “role-character” and “role-hero” are proposed. Suggestions for teaching and directing work with student actors when working on a performance in an educational theatre are formulated. The study revealed the superiority of the method of working on the role as a “role-hero”, and therefore, this method was the basis for the theatrical production of the student play.