Each student selects one name and is given time to review their character. I ask the students to jot down some notes describing their character's personality, motivation, likes and dislikes, goals and priorities, and unique characteristics. Students are then given index cards and asked to write one question per card, directed to each of the other characters. Encourage the students to ask questions that will foster a lively response. I collect all the cards and sorth through them for the most interesting questions.
Students then make name tags for themselves as their characters and sit in a large circle.
I also throw in some of my own question to keep things moving. As students get into their roles, they begin talking, questioning, debating, and interacting with each other directly, without my facilitation.