4/10/2022 Task 2

 Character Study - Connor Murphy

 Connor is the centre-piece of Dear Evan Hansen. Having been introduced as an angry ill intent angsty teenager it's natural to assume he'd be the antagonist. But in Dear Evan Hansen I'd have personally said there is no Antagonist. The point of the Protagonist is that he's doing something wrong but he keeps doing it as it's benefitting him, thus making him what's known as a Flawed Hero. Because Evan was upset that no one was noticing him, and so by pretending to be Connor's friend after he killed himself, everyone flocked to him, having been his self-proclaimed "Best friend" He tricks everyone including Connor's family into believing this, boosting his confidence and making more friends than he's ever previously had. Evan has Social Anxiety Disorder, which is why he feels like a ghost in the halls of the high school.

Connor comes into this because he actually bullies Evan, masking his depression and anxiety with rage, as he takes it out not only on Evan but on his family as well. As Connor has no friends, when Evan breaks his arm and has a cast, Connor decides to sign it, saying they're now each other's only friend, before not long after he would take his own life. Having had no help with his mental health, taking his pent-up anger and rage out on those around him for years, It got to him. 

"Connor Murphy (17) An angry, disaffected loner, Connor has been a troubled kid for as long as anyone can remember, an enigma and a source of endless consternation to his long-suffering parents and sister" - Dear Evan Hansen Study Guide. 

This shows us that regardless of his mental health condition, and how it's been acknowledged he's troubled, no one's bothered to help, more than likely due to his age and the fact he would take it out on everyone around him. After all, why stay with someone if they only emit negative energy.

I believe playing as Connor would challenge me as whilst yes, I've acted as a bully before, Connor is so much more than that. He's troubled, he's in mental and emotional agony, and to show his mind in a play would give me a new opportunity, to expand the variety I can be as an actor, as I've never played as a fairly emotional role. But Connor, whilst at the start is a stereotypical angry bully, develops more through the play, and that show's that he was just a flawed person, with a broken mind.

I believe some scenes that could challenge me is his scene where he signs Evan's cast, showing the first bit of humanity in him that isn't pure rage, and a scene in Act 2 where he's Evan's Consciousness but as  Connor, talking to him, trying to drive him closer to the edge. He does the same on the page before, guilt-tripping him and showing the hurt he had inside, trying to drive him even closer.