This artistic research project focuses on the use and role of nonverbal communication as a means to effectively communicate narratives and display characters in modern percussion works, with particular emphasis on visual cues, i.e. physical appearance and kinesics – facial expressions, posture, and body and ocular movement. Research into this topic was motivated by the author’s desire to become a more expressive performer and had the added benefit of expanding the author’s solo percussion repertoire. The research strategy applied was the realisation of two case studies, on Cie. Kahlua’s Ceci n’est pas une balle and F. Sarhan’s Home Work. The mixed methods approach to the topic included literature research, analysis of the scores and videos of performances, interviews, coaching by experts in music, theatre and dance, quasi-experiments, and autoethnography. The interventions resulted in the author’s own versions of the compositions, each with its own narrative and corresponding characters, which are made clear by the use of nonverbal cues. In addition, the author designed a general method for preparing engaging performances that can be followed by other musicians and thus provides a contribution to the field. By the end of the research process, the author had improved his body awareness, stage presence, and nonverbal communication skills to the point where he could effectively communicate his artistic ideas to the audience.