Script analysis is the structural reading of a script, to uncover its narrative meaning.
For an actor, it can unlock a depth to a character or role, beyond the written word. To understand why script analysis is so integral to the process, we sat down with actor, producer and co-writer of the award-winning play, CADEL: Lungs on Legs.
Connor Delves is an Australian actor based in New York City, best known for Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game (Hulu), Sugar Plum Twist (Hallmark) and The Weight of Home (SIFF).
After 10 years in New York, feeling like he had never quite found the right project, he set out with friends and collaborators, Mark Barford and Steve McMahon, to create CADEL: Lungs on Legs. The groundbreaking new play, performed entirely on a bicycle, captures the drive and determination of Cadel Evans, exploring his inspiring true story as the first Australian to win the Tour de France.
Connor talks us through the process behind writing Cadel and why a real interrogation of the script is necessary.
Key Insights
- Break down every script by identifying the given circumstances, objectives, beats, turning points, and subtext to create clear, motivated character choices.
- Adapt your script analysis to the demands of auditions, film, TV, and theater by focusing on emotional shifts, physicality, and actionable decisions—even with limited preparation time.
- Build deeper, more authentic performances by pairing thorough script analysis with real-world research, collaboration, and consistent practice across different acting opportunities.
What is Script Analysis?
Script analysis is about reading from the perspective of an actor in order to find practical guidance for performance. An actor’s approach is to unlock character motivation, beats and objectives, whereas a director’s analysis is to aid inspirational choices for staging, lighting and the overall vision of the production.
As an actor with extensive experience with script analysis (working on everything from classical texts to musicals), developing the script for Cadel was a huge undertaking for Connor, and it began with months of intense research. What was important to him was telling the story and portraying the grit, vulnerability and mindset of an athlete with historical accuracy, to show how thrilling cycling really is.
Linking his lead character’s point of view to the commentary and real-life moments were key to the play. According to Connor, “Steve and I really tried to create an environment that speaks to pro cycling and Cadel’s unique individuality. We storyboarded different stages of the Tour de France that we wanted to focus on, intending to frame the entire play around the pivotal 2011 Tour de France time trial.”
He continued, “The idea of time is pretty important in the play, and it’s one we kept coming back to. Steve is incredible at identifying the cracks in the armor. We then developed the show with director and dramaturg Mark Barford, who really challenged us on story arc and continuity for a non-cycling audience. Keep it real, keep it clear and keep the action at the forefront.”
The Core Elements Every Actor Analyzes in a Script
The core elements of any serious script breakdown are: Given Circumstances, Objectives and Subtext. The Given Circumstances are facts established by the playwright, such as time and place. Objectives are the driving force behind what a character wants in the scene or story. Subtext is the underlying meaning beyond what a character might say or do.
CADEL: Lungs on Legs takes place mainly during the 2011 Tour de France, and structurally it’s framed during a time trial — a solo effort that intentionally runs as long as the show, from beginning to end. The complicated world of pro-cycling was punctuated by moments throughout the play that define Cadel’s battles, whether that was during a race or by interactions with the press.
Connor tells me the process of writing was about being ruthless with what affects Cadel and his mindset, as this is what was most interesting to see on stage. He shared, “One thing we always tried to do was bring it back to cycling — all of this is because of the bike.”
Born into a sporting family, Connor was taught how to win. The combination of entertainment and thrill he found in sports was later discovered on stage, and his talent as an actor and his insight as co-writer allowed him to marry the script analysis to an adrenaline-fueled, authentic emotional portrayal of Cadel Evans.
How to Actually Break Down a Script, Step by Step
To break down a script, go through it by reading it first for the story. Identify what is going on, from beginning to end, but without a critical eye. The second time you read through, look at the facts. Where does it take place? What time is it? And what information is given freely about your character?
This is where you can make notes. Annotate by marking the script, identifying the beats, shifts and turning points. Look for key moments where new information is being introduced, driving the story or changing your character’s emotional state in any way.
For Connor, the challenge of playing Cadel, as someone still quite young, was capturing his spirit and traits, without mocking him. In a most unusual set of circumstances, he got to meet Cadel himself, after being introduced by mutual friends.
Soon after reviewing hours of footage, he was determined to learn the play while riding the bike: “I did as much as I could on the bike — learning lines, brainstorming, training and rehearsing, and all of it had to be [while] riding.
The mindset and mental place in which Cadel made all of these decisions came from that exhaustion, effort and focus. I had to do the same. This was like training for a race, and I knew I wanted to win. So my analysis comes from real life riding and training. What was his thought process at that moment? And would he actually say that?”
Script Analysis for Auditions: Working With Sides You Just Received
Where possible, script analysis should be a detailed process. Most actors are under pressure to learn new pages from same-day sides or from last-minute callbacks. This is where strategizing priorities can help you, even with very little time. Condense the process by focusing on the emotional journey and physicality. Get practical right away.
“I identify the turning points in the scene. I’m big on approaching a script scene by scene, and letting rehearsal stitch them together later. So I speak it aloud instantly, and ask myself where the turning point occurred and what the actions of the scene are,” Connor explains.
As an action-driven performer that enjoys thriving under pressure, Connor advises getting to work right away. Embrace the joy of creativity, make script choices and see what is possible. Working this way also helps to avoid over-analysis, which can hinder spontaneity in the audition room.
Applying Script Analysis to Different Formats: Film, TV and Theater
The analytic focus for different formats shifts depending on the medium, but the information is still there to be used. In theater, you’ll get access to the whole script, which will have stage directions. Use the information the playwright has given you to guide your performance. Even if you don’t see its purpose right away, keep coming back to it.
For film and TV, if you haven’t received the full script, you can still do analysis with one or two scenes. “It’s like cricket,” Connor says. “You don’t play T20 the same way you play a test match.
If that analogy doesn’t work for you, then consider the goals.” Connor theorizes that even though film and stage work have different goals, he is still doing similar things: making a choice, finding the beats and actioning the text.
Cadel required Connor to consider how he interacted with himself as other characters. Creating those relationships took a lot of energy, creating key triggers to focus on. Whereas in his performance as Mercutio in Starcrossed, a classical style text with deep connections to Shakespeare, much of the script was in verse, so the analysis came from discussion, playing and discovering with his scene partners.
He advises to think about how communication can vary across the mediums, what can be seen on screen as opposed to the stage, and that sometimes it’s an active thought process, and other times it’s through collaboration with directors, writers and cinematographers.
In the audition process, Connor says there is no one way to act on film or on stage, so his approach changes with time. “It’s all on us!,” he says. “Which is great. We should have autonomy and make exciting, individual choices.”
Tools, Texts and Platforms That Support Your Script Analysis Practice
To understand how script analysis can support your performance, start by reading foundational texts on acting methods covered by Stanislavski, Uta Hagen and Sanford Meisner. In lieu of a more in-depth approach, use practical resources like Michael Shurtleff’s book, Audition: Everything An Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part and develop a permission-free and independent technique, encouraged in The Young Actor’s Notebook by Dennis Hilton-Reid.
You can practice by using what are known as “stock sides” from sites like One on One NYC and Acting & Voice Studios. Script analysis is about creating a baseline, to layer with technique and spontaneity. Focus on the academic work first, because when it’s done properly, it can allow you access to an emotionally deep and free performance.
Connor reiterates, “Without a real interrogation of the script, the why becomes unclear. So many plays have good scenes or moments, yet lack the throughline that keeps the audience engaged.” As a deceptively difficult skill to master, he also urges actors to stay focused: “In a world that tempts and begs us to be distracted, focus.”
Conclusion
Script analysis allowed Connor’s performance in Cadel to be specific to this play and this version of his story.
“For any journey to be bought into, we must have a clear path forward, including some exciting and unexpected bumps along the way. It was crucial that Cadel moved along with shock, surprise and maybe some cheering, too. We know the end result, he won, but how he got there and all the things he had to battle through along the way, is why we watch,” he said.
Many thanks to Connor for talking to us.
To learn more about Connor Delves, you can visit his website.
