characterization vs performing

characterization and performing both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
characterization	Yes	No	No	No
performing	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, performing is a hypernym of characterization; that is, performing is a word with a broader meaning than characterization:

characterization: acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture
performing: the performance of a part or role in a drama

Other hypernyms of characterization include acting, playacting, playing.

characterization (noun)	performing (noun)
acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture	the performance of a part or role in a drama
a graphic or vivid verbal description
the act of describing distinctive characteristics or essential features