Character Work
The craft of creating and sustaining distinct, believable characters in improvisation through voice, physicality, point of view, and emotional behavior. Character work ranges from grounded, realistic portrayals to heightened archetypes, depending on the style and format being performed.
Mentioned In
Further Reading
See all books →
Theatrical Improvisation
Short Form, Long Form, and Sketch-Based Improv
Jeanne Leep
Devising Performance
A Critical History
Deirdre Heddon; Jane Milling
Improv Yourself
Business Spontaneity at the Speed of Thought
Joseph A. Keefe
The Improv Handbook
The Ultimate Guide to Improvising in Comedy, Theatre, and Beyond
Tom Salinsky; Deborah Frances-White
Impro
Improvisation and the Theatre
Keith Johnstone
Something Wonderful Right Away
An Oral History of The Second City and The Compass Players
Jeffrey Sweet
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Character Work. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/learn-improv/concepts/character-work
The Improv Archive. "Character Work." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/learn-improv/concepts/character-work.
The Improv Archive. "Character Work." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/learn-improv/concepts/character-work. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.