Actor's Note: Examining the Role of AI-Generated Questions in Character Journaling for Actor Training

TL;DR

This paper introduces Actor's Note, an AI-powered journaling tool that uses context-aware questions to support actor training by enhancing reflection and character exploration without replacing the actor's agency.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to AI-assisted character journaling that emphasizes reflection guidance over text generation, with empirical evaluation in a rehearsal setting.

Findings

Reduced barriers to journaling and sustained reflection

Enhanced character exploration and rehearsal engagement

Different benefits observed at various rehearsal stages

Abstract

Character journaling is a well-established exercise in actor training, but many actors struggle to sustain it due to cognitive burden, the blank page problem, and unclear short-term rewards. We reframe large language models not as co-authors but as maieutic partners-tools that guide reflection through context-aware questioning rather than producing text on behalf of the user. Based on this perspective, we designed Actor's Note, a journaling tool that tailors questions to the script, role, and rehearsal phase while preserving actor agency. We evaluated the system in a 14-day crossover study with 29 actors using surveys, logs, and interviews. Results indicate that the tool reduced entry barriers, supported sustained reflection, and enriched character exploration, with participants describing different benefits when AI was introduced at earlier versus later rehearsal stages. This work contributes empirical insights and design principles for creativity-support tools that sustain reflective practices while preserving artistic immersion in performance training.