Monologues

As I was writing my monologue I realised a few important things about the exercise.
Writing it is, in part, a form of improvisation. As I piece together the various pieces of my chosen character, Firs from Chekhov's, I glued them together with bridging dialogue I wrote to suit Firs as well as re-ordering what he says. I also need to completely come up with stage directions, costume and and how Firs speaks.
Another notable point is the fact that I am using another persons character. I was apprehensive at first in changing anything about him because I did not create him. I did not feel licensed to change him in any way, including what he said. Then i realised that plays are written to be interpreted. There is no set way to play them out and creative choices are made by members of the company acting out the play, in this case myself. He was a near blank canvas, with a few lines to include in my painting of him. My portrayal.
I found I ha the same problem with interpreting literature for English and I'm lead to believe I am not the only one whom things this.

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Improvisation (and maybe stanislivski [citation needed])