---
title: "Building a scene: who wants what"
description: "One way to build a scene is to give a character a goal and an obstacle. Identify what each character wants, what stands in the way and how changing a goal can change the action."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/building-a-scene-who-wants-what-mt_CZbWK5gf0v
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/building-a-scene-who-wants-what-mt_CZbWK5gf0v.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Building a scene: who wants what

One way to build a scene is to give a character a goal and an obstacle. Identify what each character wants, what stands in the way and how changing a goal can change the action.

Subject: Arts & Music · Area: Performing Arts · Ages 9 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/building-a-scene-who-wants-what-mt_CZbWK5gf0v

## Ready when they can

- State what each character in a short scene wants
- Name the obstacle between a character and what they want
- Predict how a scene changes if one character's want is swapped
- Explain how a clear goal helps an audience follow a character's actions

## Lesson: Give each character something to want

You have practised showing a character through acting choices. Now ask why the character acts. A goal is something they want. One way to build a scene is to choose a goal, add an obstacle and decide what the character tries. This method does not describe every kind of scene.

**Example.** Luz wants to fly a kite now. Dev wants to mend its torn tail first. Luz asks to take the kite. Dev shows her the tear and asks her to wait. Their different goals lead to a disagreement. They decide to mend the kite together.

*(drawing: Each goal helps explain what the character does.)*

An obstacle stands between a character and their goal. It might be a locked door, a missing object or another character's choice. Conflict is a struggle with an obstacle. A quiet disagreement can create conflict without a chase or a fight.

Stakes are what a character may gain or lose. Raising the stakes makes the outcome matter more. A deadline might mean losing a chance if a plan takes too long. A turning point changes the direction of the action, perhaps when new information leads to a different plan. A short scene need not include both.

*(drawing: A turning point can change what the character tries.)*

Suppose Luz changes her goal. She now wants to help Dev mend the kite. She may offer tape instead of asking to take it. A changed goal can change the action. To plan a scene with a clear purpose, choose a specific goal, an obstacle and an action the character tries.

**Recap.** Identify goals and obstacles. Ask what each character tries, what they may gain or lose, and how a changed goal could change the action.

*The scene-building lesson, practice questions and cards were written for this dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Playing a part: voice, face and body](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/playing-a-part-voice-face-and-body-mt_uN2l8k1-Oi)

## Optional connections

- [Forms of Poetry and Performance](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/forms-of-poetry-and-performance-mt_gR5_n99Ntt)

## Opens up

- [How a Play Gets Made](https://lightmysky.com/learn/arts-and-music/how-a-play-gets-made-mt_vuaFvRSoi2)