History EstablishingCharacterMoment / Theatre

** Jared: His first line is a joke to Evan regarding his broken arm, believing it to be Evan having ADateWithRosiePalms. Just like Alana, the script reveals another crucial detail: he enters with a "practiced swagger" that "only the deeply insecure" can use. He is not only a DeadpanSnarker and a complete joker, but he is someone who attempts to solve every problem with humor.

* ''Theatre/TheBookOfMormon'' gives us this glimpse into one of Elder Cunningham's major character arcs during "Hello!":
--> ''*Buzz!*''
-->'''Elder Cunningham:''' '''''[[NoIndoorVoice HELLO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE RELIGIONS, I HAVE A FREE BOOK WRITTEN BY JESUS!]]'''''
--> '''Missionary Leader''': No, '''''no''''' Elder Cunningham! That's ''not'' how we do things around here! You're making things up again!

** The show's first minute establishes the different reasons why everyone (apart from Agnes) sees Jasper as a failure, a loser, or a burden, and more importantly, that he doesn't even care enough to disagree.

** The show's first minute establishes that everyone (apart from Agnes) sees Jasper as a failure, a loser, or a burden, and more importantly, that he doesn't even care enough to disagree.

** The show's first minute establishes that everyone (apart from Agnes) sees Jasper as a failure or a loser, and more importantly, that he doesn't even care enough to disagree.
** Gretchen's first scene establishes that she knows enough about Deadland to act as a NativeGuide, that she can no longer remember her time in the Living World, and that she doesn't ''want'' to remember her life.

** The show's first minute establishes that everyone (apart from Agnes) sees Jasper as a failure or a loser, and more importantly, that he doesn't even care enough to stand disagree.

** The show's first minute establishes that everyone (apart from Agnes) sees Jasper as a failure or a loser, and more importantly, that he believes there's no point in trying to prove them wrong.

* The whole of Denmark is celebrating the new king's wedding yet {{Theatre/Hamlet}} is sulking in a corner wearing black because he's still mourning his father.

* ''Theatre/SeventeenSeventySix'' starts with [[HotBlooded John Adams]] ranting [[NoIndoorVoice loudly]] about [[SurroundedByIdiots the uselessness of Congress]], ''to'' Congress, and demanding that they vote for independence RIGHT NOW, while they all tell him to sit down and shut up.
* The opening scene of ''[[Theatre/CompanySondheim Company]]'' does this for several of the characters. First, it shows Bobby's popularity and his friendship with the couples. Sarah and Harry's competitive and combative relationship is established as they give him their present. Amy's neurotic nature is shown as she presents him with the present from her and Paul. Joanne's cynical and sarcastic nature is shown when she snarks at the other wives and, when one of them asks Bobby who she is, responds thus:
-->'''Joanne:''' That is I, miss. I'm very rich and I'm married to him, and I'd introduce him but I forgot his name.
* The musical version of {{Theatre/Heathers}} quickly establishes all the main characters (except J.D., who turns up a couple scenes later) in its opening number "Beautiful." It establishes Kurt and Ram as {{Jerk Jock}}s, Martha as a ButtMonkey (but a lovable one who is a "sucker for a happy ending"), Heather Chandler as [[AlphaBitch a "mythic bitch"]], Heather Duke as the ButtMonkey of her own GirlPosse, Heather [=McNamara=] as the nicest of the trio, and Veronica as the [[DeadpanSnarker wry]], observant outsider who just wants to fit in.
** J.D. gets his, too: sitting quietly on the outskirts with a book, making a snarky, semi-flirty comment to Veronica, but otherwise minding his own business, until Kurt and Ram start harassing him.
-->'''Ram:''' Hey, Kurt, didn't this cafeteria have a "no fags allowed" rule?\\
'''J.D.:''' Yeah, but they seem to have an open-door policy on assholes, don't they?\\
''({{beat}})''\\
'''Kurt:''' ...Hold his arms.\\
''(Ram attempts to do just that, but J.D. beats the crap out of them both single-handed)''
* ''{{Theatre/Hamilton}}'' has an excellent one for Aaron Burr that perfectly encapsulates his cautious, noncommittal personality from his ''very first line.''
-->'''Hamilton:''' Pardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir?
-->'''Burr:''' ''That depends. Who's asking?''
* ''{{Theatre/Hadestown}}'' has one for all of their characters, most notably Orpheus, who misses his first cue when he's introduced because he's inspired by a rag he was using to wipe tables (and humming his {{Leitmotif}}). [[TheNarrator Hermes]] cues him again, to which he turns to the audience and waves with a big, goofy grin on his face.
* The Takarazuka version of Theatre/RomeoEtJulietteDeLaHaineALamour establishes the quarreling characters of Tybalt, Mercutio, and Benvolio all within 3 seconds, with Tybalt spitting on Benvolio as he holds his hand out for a shake, Mercutio rushing infuriated to his friend's defense, and Benvolio holding Mercutio back. Meanwhile, Romeo is introduced with a dazed smile and smelling a flower.
* Theatre/DearEvanHansen:
** Evan: The first lines of the play is his letter to himself, where he types that today will be an amazing day because he is [[BeYourself being himself]]. But as soon as he finishes typing that, he ends up rambling on all the minor details to being recognized, as well as recounting a failed encounter with someone he loves. He is socially awkward and wants to connect with other people.
** Heidi: She tries to give Evan the enthusiasm to start his school year happily, but all Evan can elicit is FlatJoy. Her song that occurs afterwards, "Anybody Have a Map?", highlights the amount of effort she puts into connecting with Evan, and her desperation when her actions fail.
** Connor: At his breakfast, he claims that he doesn't feel like going to school, and is revealed to have smoked drugs. His interactions with the rest of his family show that he has a severely strained relationship with them.
** Cynthia: In her part in the song "Anybody Have a Map?", she sings about how her lifestyle, like cooking for Larry, Connor and Zoe, is increasingly difficult, and always complicated.
** Larry: When Cynthia asks Larry to convince Connor to go to school, he only tells Connor to do so, in a nonchalant manner. Cynthia then chides him on his lack of effort to persuade Connor, believing that he is busy on his email. He then responds that Connor cannot listen to him. Two things are established; he is emotionally distant from his family, and he is more dedicated to his work.
** Zoe: She ends up swearing back at Connor, when Connor swore at her because she assumed he was definitely high. Not only is she a typical high school student, it's clear she despises her brother, and his attitude.
** Alana: She meets Evan and asks him how his summer was. Before Evan can reply, she interrupts with her having done so many extracurricular activities. The script directions state that before she encounters Evan, she puts on a fake smile. Not only is she wanting to help her community in any way possible, she is also shy like Evan, but conceals that with cheeriness.
** Jared: His first line is a joke to Evan regarding his broken arm, believing it to be Evan having ADateWithRosiePalms. Just like Alana, the script reveals another crucial detail: he enters with a "practiced swagger" that "only the deeply insecure" can use. He is not only a DeadpanSnarker and a complete joker, but he is someone who attempts to solve every problem with humor.

* ''Theatre/{{Newsies}}''
** The song “Santa Fe” in the opening scene serves as an establishing moment for Jack Kelly, setting him up as an idealist and a dreamer who wants to escape New York. It also demonstrates how convincing he can be; just by talking about his dream of living in Santa Fe he manages to get Crutchie to share in it. The scene as a whole also sets up how much Jack and Crutchie care about each other [[spoiler: which becomes relevant after Crutchie’s arrest causes Jack to nearly abandon the strike, and when Pulitzer forces Jack to turn scab by threatening Crutchie.]]
** “Carrying the banner” also serves to establish the newsies characters, as well as the world they live in.
** Katherine’s establishing character moment comes when Jack tries to flirt with her and she replies with a sarcastic comment at his expense, showing that she is independent, clever, and good with words.
* ''Theatre/TwistedTheUntoldStoryOfARoyalVizier'':
** The Princess is first introduced freeing several imported birds, even though they can't survive in the region, declaring that an hour of freedom would be better than a lifetime of pampering in a cage, showing she's well-meaning but painfully naive.
** Ja'far's first scene has him hoping to make life better for the common folk while they constantly insult him, setting him up as a KnightInSourArmor.
** Aladdin's first appearance is cheerfully looting a dead guard before breaking into a musical number that he steals anything he can find because he doesn't want to get a job, informing the audience he's a combination of LazyBum and TheSociopath.
* ''Theatre/WesterosAnAmericanMusical'': Joffrey, who has StupidEvil tendencies, is introduced holding the decapitated head of a prisoner that his mother was intending to use as a ''live'' hostage.
* ''Theatre/Ragtime'' has several in the first few scenes.
** The first thing Father says about himself is that he's "well off -- ''very'' well off", suggesting that that's the thing he values most about himself. He's also visibly taken aback by Admiral Perry having an African-American first officer.
** Also in the prologue, Younger Brother describes himself as DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife. This becomes his major character arc.
** "Goodbye My Love" suggests that Mother is not entirely satisfied with her life and wants to be more than just a pampered, sheltered housewife.
** Edgar's "warn the duke" line is the first sign of his inexplicable abilities, although the exact meaning doesn't become clear until later.
** "His Name Was Coalhouse Walker" establishes that Coalhouse is a LadykillerInLove and that he self-admittedly treated Sarah badly.
** In the minor characters department, Emma Goldman ranting against JP Morgan and Henry Ford boasting about their wealth, calling them "the demons that are sucking your very souls dry".

* ''{{Theatre/Hadestown}}'' has one for all of their characters, most notably Orpheus, who misses his first cue when he's introduced because he's inspired by a rag he was using to wipe tables (and humming his {{Leitmotif}}). [[TheNarrator Hermes]] cues him again, to which [[{{Adorkable}} he turns to the audience and waves with a big, goofy grin on his face.]]

* ''{{Theatre/Hadestown}}'' has one for all of their characters, most notably Orpheus, who misses his first cue when he's introduced because he's inspired by a rag he was using to wipe tables (and humming his [[Leitmotif]]). {{TheNarrator/Hermes}} cues him again, to which [[Adorkable he turns to the audience and waves with a big, goofy grin on his face.]]

-->'''Elder Cunningham:''' '''''[[NoIndoorVoice HELLO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE RELIGIONS I HAVE A FREE BOOK WRITTEN BY JESUS?!?!?!]]'''''

** Also in the prologue, Younger Brother describes himself as DesperatelySearchingForAPurposeInLife. This becomes his major character arc.

* The opening scene of ''Theatre/{{Company}}'' does this for several of the characters. First, it shows Bobby's popularity and his friendship with the couples. Sarah and Harry's competitive and combative relationship is established as they give him their present. Amy's neurotic nature is shown as she presents him with the present from her and Paul. Joanne's cynical and sarcastic nature is shown when she snarks at the other wives and, when one of them asks Bobby who she is, responds thus: