Help with a Character?

Question:I'm playing the role of a villain in an upcoming play, and I'm having a bit of trouble becoming the character. He's a very sleazy guy, but acts quite upstanding with others around.

Any characters that come to mind who I can use as research?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm playing the role of a villain in an upcoming play, and I'm having a bit of trouble becoming the character. He's a very sleazy guy, but acts quite upstanding with others around.

Any characters that come to mind who I can use as research?

It could mainly be any bad guy from a movie or play.

Use the Method Acting Technique.

Put yourself in a situation like what you are in the script.
I'm pretty sure your not this guy, like in the script.

But think of a time when you lied, or when you stole a piece of candy or something. And think about how you just told a lie to everyone, think about something like that.

Good Luck

Jafar from Aladdin

It starts with understanding why your character does what he does. Most villains don't think of themselves as villains.

Here's a good quote- "No man chooses evil because he is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.'' - Mary Wollstonecraft

Do a complete character biography from birth untl present, and determine what he "needs" within the context of the play.

If it a farce or a show that breaks the fourth wall, you can play it a little more broadly and revel in your evil. Some of your choices will depend a bit on the genre (musical-comedy, straight drama), but the basic principles of character work still apply.

If you have a dark side, give into that, and tell yourself you are am evil genius.