I suspect your lines will be taken care of for you in the script - and your director should assist you if you need to come up with additional adlibs.

 

Go to your local library and do some research. I don't know the setting of this production - but take clues from notes in the script such as setting, time period etc. Is this character a self sufficient person of wealthy, middle class or poor means? Are they a business man? Are they a domestic person? Does he have a family? Is he educated? Self taught or schooled? Born in America or abroad? White collar or blue collar?

 

How would he walk? Does he look people in the eye when he converses or is he subserviant.

 

These are all questions that you can start asking yourself about this character as you start to craft their mannerisms.

 

The challenge of taking on the persona of someone unlike yourself is the thrill and beauty of doing theatre. Embrace the experience and use it as a great learning journey.

 

Enjoy - and let us know how it goes!