In considering persons to present through an autobiographical performance, presenters need to study potential candidates. They should research the historical, cultural, societal settings of the individuals. Performers needs to study the figures' personal writings, such as autobiographies, diaries, and journals, which reflect the truth about the their real nature and struggles. In selecting a character for an autobiographical performance, the presenter might consider the following characteristics, which should enable the story to have significant, lasting, positive impact on audience members. Characters, whose stories become universal and classical, often display these characteristics:

• They exhibit fascinating, multi-faceted, paradoxical, or ironic characteristics.
• They display weaknesses and strengths.
• Over time they overcome some of their weaknesses.
• These characters frequently struggle with universal issues and significantly develop in character over time.
• The characters are specific, reflecting characteristics of a unique place and time in history, yet their stories reflect universal ideas and truths.
• They are commonly characters, who are unique or atypical in their time in terms of their ethnicity, social standing, culture etc.
• These characters are typically pioneers who struggle with sociological and cultural barriers.
• They frequently effect the beginnings of the removal of these barriers.
• They commonly function as role models.

After the presenter has identified a character with enduring and strong characteristics, he or she should look for a character with whom he or she can personally and experientially relate. The performer should not just enact the character but should be able to empathetically connect or bond with the character. Also, the performer’s physical type should not usually be too far off from that of the character to be performed, as notable variance can be distracting. The physical body should be a complementary frame for the portrait of the real life of the character.