Final answer:
Actors develop a character by deeply investing in the role's emotional and psychological aspects, utilizing research and internalization, and engaging the audience through authentic, vulnerable performances.
Step-by-step explanation:
When actors portray a character, they engage in a profound process of understanding who the character genuinely is by channeling that persona's thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This level of depth in character interpretation is obtained through techniques such as internal monologues and deliberate choices, revealing a character's internal thought process. By living truthfully under the given circumstances of the character, actors create spontaneous and authentic reactions that resonate with audiences.
Yet, to maintain the necessary consistency in performance, actors must also ground their creative expressions within the defined framework of the character's history, relationships, and the specific period of the play or film. To embody this, actors undertake meticulous character research and analysis, absorbing information that allows them to navigate and express the character’s worldview with credibility.
Whether an actor is a chameleon who vanishes into varied roles or one who charms while maintaining a singular persona across performances, the quality that binds their craft is the ability to evoke belief and empathy in their portrayal. This engagement of audience sympathy stems from the actor's authentic emotional vulnerability on stage or screen, creating a profound connection to the character being portrayed.