How To Create A Groundlings Character

There are various improv comedy schools in Los Angeles, each one of them with their own particular brand of funny. The Groundlings find their funny in specific and slightly absurd characters. We're talking "I'm gonna need a wig and a lavender pant-suit" characters. It's not enough to have a silly walk, a funny voice, and a facial tic. Anyone can randomly assemble a mishmash of freak characteristics; the difficulty comes when trying to give this character a clear point of view that integrates all of the elements. To help students, they provide the following questionnaire.

Name:

Age:

Hair:

Eyes:

Skin:

Body Type:

Outstanding Physical Characteristic:

Voice Type:

Occupation:

Favorite Food:

Least Favorite Food:

Favorite Color/Texture:

Bad Habits:

Mannerisms:

Idiosyncrasies:

Musical Tastes:

Games:

Religion:

Schooling:

Favorite Book:

Current Reading:

Military Service:

Phobias:

Where From:

Where Now:

Who Do I Live With:

Relatives Living:

Married:

Children:

Love Life:

Greetings:

Pajamas:

Favorite Expression:

Self-Description:

How Do Others See Me?

Hobby:

Talents:

Pets:

Who Do I Confide In:

Something I Can’t Do:

Most Important Person:

Values:

Can’t Live Without:

Favorite Movie/TV:

What Is Funny to Me:

Idolize Who:

What I Want From Others:

Handicaps:

Philosophy of Life:

What’s My Problem:

What Do I need?

What Do I Want?

“When I fall in love, I always…”

Earliest Memory:

Favorite Memory:

Parents: