AI: It Doesn’t Do What You Think It Does
I experimented with AI when it was in its awkward adolescent years, made all the mistakes that everyone else made, decided it was a waste of time and moved on.
What did I try? The same as you did. The miraculous time-saving things we were told it could do:
I asked it to write scripts.
I asked it to generate units of work.
I asked it to create lesson plans.
I asked it to map progression of skills.
I asked it to create worksheets.
I asked it to create factual handouts.
In almost every instance it produced, in the words of Douglas Adams, something “that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike” the thing I’d asked for.
At the start of this academic year, I decided to give it another go, but still under the misconception that it was an alternative to Google tried using it to search for information. The main outcome of this was an argument with ChatGPT about whether Roger Moore had played both James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, in which the most it was willing to concede was that a Roger Moore had played Holmes, but not the Roger Moore, and went on to patronisingly inform me that Roger Moore is a very common name and therefore it was right and I was stupid.
At about the same time Barb Oakley’s “Cheery Friday Greetings” appeared in my inbox, promoting her and Jules White’s Coursera AI course Accelerate Your Learning with ChatGPT. I took the course – it’s free, so why not? – and came out realising that everything I thought I knew about AI was wrong. This coincided with a sudden need to deepen my understanding of neurodiversity, and using AI to do so helped me discover where its real strengths lay, and what you can do with it to really help your Drama teaching, once you stop trying to convince it to be like Google.
AI should force you to think, not do the thinking for you
One of the key takeaways from Barb and Jules’s course is that we (by which I really mean, our students) should be using AI to generate thinking, rather than to replace thinking. We want them to be actively engaging with the texts and topics we study and making their own decisions about them, rather than passively memorising the opinions of others.
One of the best ways to do this is not to ask it for an answer, but to ask for contrasting alternatives or options. In the Drama classroom, we can utilise this in any number of ways, but it’s especially useful, particularly at IGCSE level for interpreting characters, and exploring design elements. In this post I’ll be focusing on the former.
Character Interpretation – It’s About Possibilities
To get the best results from AI, you need to provide as much specific information as possible. Don’t assume that the AI will know the play that you’re working on. What it knows depends on the data set that it has been trained on. If it hasn’t been given the script of your play it will pull information from second- or third-hand sources: reviews, study-guides etc., and you’ll get vague, or totally fictitious responses (about a Willy Loman, not the Willy Loman), if it decides that it’s better to mislead than to confess ignorance.
ChatGPT will accept uploads of Word files or PDFs, so begin by uploading the script extract you’re working on [or paste the text into the chat window].
Now give it the following prompt. The text in italics should, obviously, be replaced with the details of your chosen text:
You are an experienced stage director preparing an actor to portray the character of Ben in this extract from the play The Sunshine Boys. Suggest three contrasting interpretations of the character that the actor could explore practically. Give evidence from the script for each of your suggestions.
Variations on this prompt could include:
I am an IGCSE Drama student studying the character of Ben in this extract from the play The Sunshine Boys. Suggest three contrasting interpretations of the character. Give evidence from the script for each of your suggestions.
or:
You are an experienced actor auditioning for the role of Ben in this extract from the play The Sunshine Boys. Suggest three contrasting interpretations of the character that I could explore practically in preparation for the audition. Give evidence from the script for each of your suggestions.
Each of these prompts frames the AI or the prompter in a different role and gets slightly different results. As a director, the AI focused primarily on the character’s motivation, with some generalised ideas for conveying this. The output for the student prompt was the least detailed, with interpretations of the character and evidential quotes, but no practical advice for presenting the character.
The most useful results for the Drama classroom came from the actor prompt, with specific techniques that could be used to communicate each interpretation of the character:
- The Dutiful Nephew – Calm and Patient
Interpretation: Ben is a responsible, gentle character who approaches Willie with quiet compassion, masking frustration with calm professionalism. This version of Ben tries to manage his uncle’s declining faculties with kindness and respect.
Supporting Evidence:
• “You feeling alright?” (line 48) – Shows concern and a soft entry into conversation.
• “Just promise me you’ll have a decent lunch today.” (line 119) – Cares about Willie’s health.
• “Let’s not get into that, huh? I’ve got to get back to the office.” (line 111) – Chooses not to argue.
• Practical Exploration: Use open posture, measured pace, soothing vocal tone. Try placing a gentle hand on Willie’s arm or speaking quietly when he escalates. Explore moments of restraint and swallowed emotion.
It offered similar output for its interpretations of Ben as “The Frustrated Middleman – Tense and Explosive”, and “The Ambitious Agent – Smooth and Persuasive”. The key thing is that this prompt isn’t just giving me an answer, it’s giving me a choice of contrasting viable interpretations, that I need to consider, as a student, weigh up, and make a decision about, concerning which one I prefer.
Digging Deeper: Exploring Key Moments
A few days ago I was contacted by a former student who wanted some advice on auditioning for an upcoming Netflix series. Not having any experience of film or television, I was worried that any advice I gave her would be too stage-centric, so turned to ChatGPT for some ideas, and inadvertently discovered a new approach to extending the ideas above.
This time instead of asking the AI to be an actor, student or director, I arrived at a point where I asked it to be an “experienced casting director auditioning an actor”. In this role ChatGPT produced much more focused and practical suggestions than in its earlier roles of director, student and actor. As such, it becomes a really useful tool for exploring specific scenes, characters and moments in detail.
(One of the issues I find, however, is that responses to the same prompt vary, depending on the context. A prompt that produced some really useful output after the chat has progressed through several prompts and responses, may not give the same quality of response if used in isolation as the starting point for a chat. Experiment with using follow-up prompts, or restarting a chat with a different lead-in.)
Here’s how the sequence of prompts I used to help focus my thinking on the Netflix character plays out when I apply them to Ben in The Sunshine Boys. They move from the more general prompts suggested above, gradually focusing in on details of the character and script. As usual I’m trying to get the AI to give me a set of contrasting possibilities at each stage, so that I (the student), am always having to consider and evaluate my choices for myself:
ChatGPT as Casting Director
Suggest three contrasting interpretations of the character of Ben in the attached script for an actor attending a casting call.
Here are three contrasting interpretations of Ben Silverman, tailored for an actor attending a casting call for The Sunshine Boys. Each approach draws out a different facet of Ben’s character based on the provided script:
- The Earnest Peacemaker (Warm and Patient)
Characterisation: Ben is a soft-spoken, endlessly patient, well-meaning young man doing his best to support his cantankerous uncle. He is respectful, deferential, and optimistic, genuinely trying to improve Willie’s life and career while keeping the peace.
Performance notes:
• Speak with warmth and reassurance, even when frustrated.
• Use open, soothing gestures—small, calm movements.
• Let exasperation show subtly, as if you’re used to this dynamic and don’t want to make things worse.
• Smile gently, even when things go off the rails. You love these men and want to believe this can work. - The Ambitious Agent (Tense and Pushy)
Characterisation: Ben is a career-focused talent agent who sees the Sunshine Boys reunion as a chance to make his mark. His concern for Willie is real but often overridden by stress and a desire to secure the deal.
Performance notes:
• Speak quickly, with clipped, businesslike efficiency—especially when CBS is mentioned.
• Show visible anxiety about the success of the reunion. You need this to happen.
• Use sharper, more impatient gestures; you’re constantly checking the time or fidgeting with the phone.
• Let your frustration with Willie bubble just beneath the surface—he’s making your life hard, and you’re close to snapping. - The Loving but Overwhelmed Nephew (Wounded and Wry)
Characterisation: Ben is deeply loyal to his uncle but emotionally worn out. He masks his exhaustion with sarcasm and dry humour, trying to manage both his job and his role as caretaker. His persistence comes from love more than ambition.
Performance notes:
• Use a dry, slightly resigned tone—your humour is a shield.
• Let your affection for Willie flicker through the sarcasm and weariness.
• Show the weight of responsibility in your posture—this isn’t the first exhausting visit.
• Moments of sincerity (like “How can I laugh when I see you like this?”) should land with real emotional weight—Ben’s reaching his limit, but he’s still here.
Would you like suggestions for how to physically distinguish these interpretations (e.g., wardrobe, movement style, vocal tone), or audition line picks that best highlight each one?
Suggest body language cues for each interpretation.
Here are body language cues to support each of the three contrasting interpretations of Ben Silverman during an audition or performance:
- The Earnest Peacemaker (Warm and Patient)
Posture & Movement:
• Slight forward lean when talking to Willie—shows engagement and care.
• Movements are smooth, deliberate, and non-threatening (e.g., slowly removing coat, gently placing shopping bag down).
• Knees slightly bent or crouching slightly to be at Willie’s eye level—conveys humility and attentiveness.
Gestures & Facial Expressions:
• Open hands, palms up or lightly resting on knees or table.
• Gentle hand on Willie’s shoulder or a soft pat if proximity allows—shows familial warmth.
• Soft eye contact—maintains connection without challenge.
• Frequent small nods when listening, to signal understanding.
• When exasperated, a deep sigh and brief eye-close rather than sharp gestures—he’s trying to keep it together.
Tics or Habits:
• Occasionally rubbing his hands together or running them over his face, but lightly—signals concern without tension. - The Ambitious Agent (Tense and Pushy)
Posture & Movement:
• Upright posture, shoulders slightly raised—he’s on high alert.
• Pacing when frustrated or making a phone call.
• Sharp, decisive movements (e.g., setting down the shopping bag quickly, checking watch, jabbing elevator button).
Gestures & Facial Expressions:
• Pointing finger or chopping hand gestures when making a point (“I told CBS you’d do it…”).
• Furrowed brow, pinched lips, occasional eye-roll or forced smile—he’s suppressing irritation.
• Eyes dart frequently—to the clock, the door, the phone—mind is always ahead.
• When calming Willie, gestures become more performative: overemphasised smiles, exaggerated soothing tones.
Tics or Habits:
• Constantly checking his watch or phone.
• Taps his fingers or bounces his knee when seated.
• Adjusts his tie, jacket, or cuffs—wants to be taken seriously. - The Loving but Overwhelmed Nephew (Wounded and Wry)
Posture & Movement:
• Slouched posture when sitting, as though physically drained.
• Slower movements, occasionally dragging feet or pausing in doorways as if unsure whether to go or stay.
• Leans heavily against doorframes, counters, or chairs—seeking rest or grounding.
Gestures & Facial Expressions:
• Shrugs, resigned half-smiles, raised eyebrows—body says “Here we go again.”
• Tilted head when listening, sometimes rubbing temples or forehead.
• Eyes widen in disbelief at Willie’s antics, then narrow again in suppressed emotion—he feels too much and hides it.
• Occasional sarcastic “open” hand gestures, like offering the floor to Willie (“Okay, fine, say no again”).
Tics or Habits:
• Rubs back of neck when frustrated.
• Runs hand through hair or exhales sharply through the nose.
• Uses humour as a physical release—shoulders shake slightly with an ironic chuckle.
Each interpretation gives Ben a distinct physical life, and you can blend elements if your reading leans somewhere in between. Would you like suggestions for how Willie’s energy might shift depending on which Ben the actor plays opposite?
Give me two possible inner monologues for each of the three interpretations.
[I’d intended that it would provide two contrasting inner monologues for each interpretation, instead it gave me inner monologues for two different moments from the extract. I should have used “contrasting” instead of “possible” in the prompt.]
Absolutely—here are two inner monologues for each of the three contrasting interpretations of Ben Silverman. These are meant to reflect the character’s internal thoughts and motivations during the scene, helping an actor align body language, tone, and intention with their chosen version of Ben.
- The Earnest Peacemaker
(Warm, patient, genuinely caring. A peace-broker between two giants.)
Monologue A (Entering the apartment, arms full of groceries):
“Okay, deep breath. Smile. You’ve done this a hundred times. Don’t rise to it if he’s cranky. He’s still your Uncle Willie, and he’s not getting any younger. Just keep things light, keep things calm. Maybe if he eats something other than corned beef, he’ll feel a bit more human. And if we can just get through this reunion, who knows? Maybe they’ll even enjoy it… eventually.”
Monologue B (After trying to reason with Willie about the CBS show):
“He doesn’t mean to be so difficult. He’s scared. He won’t say it, but I can see it. Being up there again—facing Al—it’s not just about showbiz. It’s about everything that happened between them. I need to help him see that this isn’t the past repeating itself. It’s a chance. One night. One laugh. Maybe even some healing… for both of them.” - The Ambitious Agent
(Tense, driven, under pressure. Juggling family loyalty and career.)
Monologue A (On the phone with CBS):
“Come on, Ben, don’t blow this. This is your shot. You got them both to agree—sort of. Just hold it together. Smile through the madness. If this goes well, maybe you’ll finally be known for more than just schlepping groceries for an old vaudevillian. Sunshine Boys. National audience. Major credits. Please, God, let Willie not throw a punch today.”
Monologue B (After Willie insists he’s ‘against it’):
“I swear, I’m going to lose my mind. What does ‘against it’ even mean if you’re doing it?! Just say yes. Just once. Is that so hard? I’m busting my gut trying to make this work, and he’s acting like CBS is asking him to wrestle tigers. No wonder Al walked away. Maybe I should too… No. No. Get it done, Silverman. Get. It. Done.” - The Loving but Overwhelmed Nephew
(Affectionate but exhausted. Carrying emotional and practical burdens alone.)
Monologue A (Watching Willie shuffle around the apartment):
“He used to fill rooms with laughter. Now look at him. Lost in his own apartment. I don’t think he even remembers what day it is, but he remembers Al walking out. That wound’s still raw, like it happened yesterday. I keep hoping a job will help—give him something to hold onto—but maybe I’m just trying to fix something I can’t fix.”
Monologue B (After hearing the familiar bickering start again):
“Why do I keep putting myself through this? I could’ve walked away like everyone else. But I love the old man. And Al, for all his faults, loved him too once. Maybe they both just forgot how. Maybe if I stick around long enough, they’ll remember. Just one good rehearsal, one spark… then I can breathe. Then maybe he’ll stop fading.”
Would you like help matching one of these inner monologues with a specific moment in the scene for performance beats? Or turning one into a short in-character audition speech?
You are an experienced casting director auditioning me for this scene. You want to explore my acting range in the context of the scene. Give me some acting prompts or challenges for specific key moments during the scene.
[I’ve left it to work with the whole extract for this example. For class work it would be more effective to use this prompt with a shorter section. For example, Ben’s appearance at the start of scene two. However, I noticed that when it was quoting line numbers in its responses above, it was not giving them accurately, so I would not risk asking it to look at “lines 275 to 349”, but instead would re-upload, or cut and paste into the prompt, the section that I wanted it to focus on.]
Absolutely. As your casting director, I want to see not just your interpretation of Ben, but your range—your ability to pivot tone, shift emotional gear, and bring complexity to what could be a deceptively “straight” character. Here’s how I’d work with you during the audition using specific moments from the scene:
Acting Prompt 1: The Warm Entry vs. the Businesslike Entry
Line cue: “Uncle Willie? It’s me, Ben.”
Prompt: Let’s do two takes here.
1 First, imagine you’re visiting an ageing parent figure you adore. You’re gently trying to make sure he’s okay. You come in with warmth and lightness, trying not to upset him.
2 Second take, you’ve had a stressful morning and you’re already behind on calls. You’re professional, clipped, and just trying to get through this so you can move on.
Same lines—different intentions. Let’s see both.
Acting Prompt 2: Emotional Crescendo
Line cue: “How can I laugh when I see you like this, Uncle Willie?”
Prompt:
I want to see layers here. Play it with restraint at first—Ben’s trying to stay composed. But he’s watching someone he loves deteriorate, and he’s exhausted. Try letting the frustration crack through, like someone who’s held back emotion for too long. This is where the audience needs to glimpse the real cost of Ben’s loyalty. Build the moment slowly and give us that payoff.
Acting Prompt 3: The Pitch
Line cue: “C.B.S. is doing a big special next month…”
Prompt:
This is your shot. The whole success of the plan depends on this moment. I want you to treat this like a high-stakes sales pitch: you’re selling the show, you’re selling the legacy of Lewis and Clark, and—underneath it all—you’re selling your own worth. Show me that flicker of ambition. The hope that if this works, you’ll finally be recognised for more than just running errands for your uncle.
Acting Prompt 4: The Flash of Fury
Line cue: “Don’t try to force it. Just slide it out!”
Prompt:
This is one of Ben’s rare outbursts. Let’s explore it. First take: try it as a sudden snap, like someone who’s held it together too long. Maybe even surprise yourself with the volume. Second take: try the same line but through gritted teeth—controlled, but vibrating with tension. We’re looking for that shift from “dutiful nephew” to “someone who’s barely keeping their sanity.”
Acting Prompt 5: Playing Both Sides
Line cue: “It’s okay, Mr. Lewis … Uncle Willie said yes.”
Prompt:
Now you’re the middleman. I want to see you code-switching. You’ve got Al on the phone, Willie shouting behind you, and you’re trying to smooth things over. Show me how you juggle the personas: the charming professional for Al, the exasperated relative with Willie, and the buried panic of a man who feels everything spiralling. Let it all live in the subtext, even as the surface stays cool.
Final Challenge: The Meltdown-in-Motion
Line cue: “I’m dialing, I’m dialing him, Uncle Willie, okay?”
Prompt:
Let’s play this as if Ben is one breath away from walking out. He’s been patient, loving, professional, and now he’s fraying. But he can’t afford to actually snap, so he masks it in forced cheerfulness. Let the performance live in the contradiction—your voice calm, your body tense, your smile tight. Give me a Ben who’s breaking while holding it together.
Would you like me to direct you in a mock audition using one of these beats? I can play the scene partner or give you live feedback on delivery style and subtext.
[I like that for some of these prompts it is asking for two contrasting interpretations of the moment.]
Help me explore how I react to seeing Willie with his jacket on over his pyjamas in scene two. Give me a range of interpretations.
[Again, I’m making sure here to ask for a range of possible approaches to the moment, forcing the student to critically reflect on their options, and steering them away from the idea that there is one right way to play the moment, or the character].
Great instinct—that’s a tiny moment loaded with character insight and opportunity. Seeing Willie wearing a formal jacket over his pyjamas in Act One, Scene Two is a gift for an actor playing Ben. It’s visually absurd, slightly tragic, and emotionally complex. Here are six contrasting interpretations to help you explore your range and make a strong acting choice:
- The Concerned Carer (Gently Protective)
Reaction: You pause, take in the sight with a mix of affection and sadness. Maybe a soft exhale, a small shake of the head.
Inner Monologue: “He’s trying… bless him. He really is trying. But this… this just shows how lost he’s getting.”
Tone of delivery (e.g., “What are you wearing?”): Soft, like a parent trying not to embarrass a child. - The Embarrassed Relative (Suppressing Cringe)
Reaction: You avert your gaze or give a pained smile. Maybe a sharp intake of breath or awkward laugh.
Inner Monologue: “Oh no. Not this. Not now. Please don’t let Al see him like this.”
Tone of delivery: Light and awkward, trying to laugh it off—“Is that a new look or…?” - The Frustrated Nephew (Edge of Anger)
Reaction: A tense inhale, a moment of hands-on-hips or pacing. The jacket becomes the final straw.
Inner Monologue: “You knew this mattered and this is how you show up? I bust my gut to make this happen.”
Tone of delivery: Controlled but sharp—your words are clipped, just barely suppressing irritation. - The Genuinely Amused Onlooker (Fond Exasperation)
Reaction: You chuckle in disbelief. Maybe hold out your hands like “what am I supposed to do with you?”
Inner Monologue: “This is ridiculous… but also so him. Somehow this is exactly what I should have expected.”
Tone of delivery: Light and ironic, with affection peeking through. - The Performer’s Son (Understanding the Showbiz Logic)
Reaction: You scan the outfit with a curious, almost analytical eye, and nod slowly.
Inner Monologue: “That’s his version of compromise. He’s showing up how he knows how—half-dressed, half-ready, all show.”
Tone of delivery: Dry, with a theatrical lilt—like you’ve seen old vaudevillians do stranger things. - The Emotionally Raw Observer (Seeing His Decline)
Reaction: You freeze, eyes well slightly. The sight takes the wind out of you.
Inner Monologue: “He used to walk into theatres in full tails. He used to command the stage. And now… this.”
Tone of delivery: Quiet, hesitant, maybe even struggling to get the words out. It’s not a joke anymore—it hurts.
Would you like to choose one of these and explore how it connects to the rest of the scene? I can help develop your vocal tone, pacing, and inner tension to build it into a strong performance arc.
I really hadn’t expected AI to be able to work in this way at all, so have been pleasantly surprised at how it can open up ideas like this for students. It’s suggestions are workable, but also, often spark alternative ideas, by opening up thought and discussion. It also provides good models for what should be covered when writing about Drama.
In up-coming blogs I’ll be exploring the uses of AI in developing stylistic and design decisions; supporting neuro-divergent students, especially those who experience alexithymia; and its uses in exploring the educational neuroscience of Drama.
International School Drama 