by admin | Sep 29, 2022 | Theater studies
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION:
For this assignment, you will apply your knowledge and understanding of the seven components of a play.
Begin by reading How to Read a Play Download How to Read a Play.
Next, read the 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Anna in the Tropics, by Nilo Cruz.
It should take approximately 1 hour to read the play.
Helpful Hint: Listening to a performance of the play as you take notes can be very helpful. Listen to Anna in the Tropics, starring Jimmy Smits for free! (Links to an external site.)
PLEASE NOTE: This play will be included in future graded assignments.
DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE the M2L1_Analysis_Reading_Handout.docx Download M2L1_Analysis_Reading_Handout.docx as you read the scriipt.
SAVE your document as a .PDF file (In Word, click the “File” tab and click “Save As”. Select “PDF” from the Save as drop-down list.)
SUBMIT your completed Analysis Handout to this assignment.
by admin | Sep 25, 2022 | Theater studies
View a play from the digital library.
https://edu.digitaltheatreplus.com
Complete ONE 3 page (double spaced – WORD COUNT REQUIREMENT IS 400-600 WORDS FOR FULL CREDIT.)
response paper on ONE viewed performance via the digital platform Digital Theatre
Be sure to include the name of the theatre and location of the performance viewed. Eligible performances for this assignment may be plays, musicals, or operas. Please do not use concerts, stand-up comedy performances or dance performances for these assignments. Please be sure to address the questions below in your paper.
Please discuss your experience of going to the theatre. How did the performance effect you? Did it move you? Did it bore you? Did you like it more or less than you expected to? Please be sure to give SPECIFIC examples from your experience to support your opinions. You may comment on the acting, the use of the stage space, the sets, lights, or costumes; whatever will help you to discuss your experience of viewing this play. In short, tell me WHY you feel this way, what contributed to your experience. Be specific. Don’t just say something like “The costumes were nice. They were appropriate for the play.” DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SAW, WHAT ACTORS DID, WHAT SCENIC, COSTUME or LIGHTING ELEMENTS LOOKED LIKE!!!! FAILURE TO INCLUDE SPECIFICS MAY SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGE YOUR GRADE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT!
Papers should be well constructed, using an introductory paragraph to state your thesis, sufficient body paragraphs to support your assertions, and a concluding paragraph to summarize and re-state your thesis. PAPERS SHOULD NOT INCLUDE A PLOT SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY.
by admin | Sep 5, 2022 | Theater studies
After viewing the short film “Our Time Is Up,” by robpearlstein
https://youtu.be/OsnzGqIWXDE , review the five components of the Plot Structure Diagram. Identify each component in the film, and explain how your choice fits the descriiption/function of each component. For example, identify the events of the film that comprise the Exposition, and explain how the events you have identified serve the function of the Exposition. Then do the following for the inciting event, rising action, climax, and falling action. You may do a short paragraph for each of the five plot structure components. It is STRONGLY recommended that you write about each of the components IN ORDER (for example, start with the exposition rather than the climax).
As you write, keep the following points in mind:
The exposition introduces us to the NORMAL WORLD of the main character
The Inciting Moment or Inciting Event is the moment at which nothing will ever be the same for the protagonist. It is a SINGLE EVENT that forever changes the protagonist’s life. This usually occurs fairly early on in the plot
The Rising action takes most of the time in the plot. This is the portion where events get increasingly complicated, and the audience still has questions about what will happen.
The Climax happens near the END of the plot. It is usually a single event or a very short sequence of events where the tension in the plot reaches its highest point and then releases. At this point, most of the audience’s questions about if events of the plot will turn out happily or unhappily will be answered.
The Falling Action is usually the last little bit of the plot where any final loose ends get tied up. Since the tension is pretty much gone from the plot by this time, this is more about tidying up any small, less vital questions in the plot.
The events of a plot are distinct (meaning one event in the film CAN NOT serve the purpose of more than one component of the plot). In other words, one event can’t be BOTH the inciting event AND the climax, for example.
The components of the plot will take place in order, so for example, the rising action will happen after the exposition and inciting event, not before.
by admin | Jun 19, 2022 | Theater studies
How To Write a Theatre Review
Theatre reviewing will help you develop your understanding of drama and the theatre. Review writing will help you be more responsive to what you see and more comprehensive and exact in your account of it.
Different kinds of plays and productions will be reviewed differently. You need to respond to the particular experience provoked by a performance.
Some questions before you attend the show.
1. What is the play called?
2. Who is the director?
3. Who is the designer?
4. Who wrote it?
What kind of play is it, and what is it about?
A brief summary of the main action is a good way to start before talking about the main themes of the play and the issues it confronts.
What is the style of performance?
Is the play typical of one particular genre? Is it a comedy, a tragedy, absurd, naturalistic or postmodern?
Explain how this is portrayed in the performance, (ie techniques).
Is the play based on a novel?
Discuss whether the script was faithful to the original text?
Was the script written by the author of the original text or by someone else?
Is the play also a film?
How does the screenplay compare to the stage production? What differences are there in the action?
What worked better on the stage, or in the film?
Who are the main actors, the supporting actors?
What are the main characters of the play?
Do you think the actors understand the work?
How convincing did the actors seem in their portrayal of their characters?
What is their relationship with the other characters on stage and how well do they work together?
How well did they use their voice, movement or gestures to express their character?
Is there someone that stands out? Describe why.
How good is it?
Distinguish here between the text and the performance.
What effect does it have on you? Positive, negative, indifferent or some combination of these.
What’s missing, what’s worth seeing, what it is you value the most from the production?
Here are some words to help you explain the performance;
Compelling, difficult, complex, simple, overwhelming, aesthetically appealing, vague, dry, humorous, inviting, stale, logical, warm, frightening, abstract, dark, invigorating, mechanical, predictable, sophisticated, grotesque, energetic, enjoyable or abrasive.
If you read the script before you attend the performance, analyse the performance against the written text.
Does the performance realise its potential?
Do the actors fit the description of the characters you had in mind?
Describe aspects of the performance in detail.
Back up your judgement with evidence from the performance.
Topics to include are; direction, imagery, grouping, pace and timing, atmosphere or mood.
What is the nature of the theatre experience?
Your response to the play, but also notice how other audience members respond and the atmosphere of the evening.
Technical aspects
Ask yourself about the blocking, lighting, stage design, and costumes and how they influence the outcome of the play. Keep in mind that the lights, sound, costumes, etc. are there to enhance the performance, not to be the main focus. Try to use theatre terminology to define the technical aspects of the show.
Is the script complicated or complimented with the use of special effects, flashbacks, recurring image motifs, lights, staging, or other visual elements?
Lighting
Are the lights indicative of the time of day or the season? Was special lighting used at any time for a particular effect?
Sound
Does the sound accent the style and format of the play?
Did this enhance or detract from the performance?
If they are using microphones, look for the quality of sound coming from them?
How did lighting and sound establish location and create atmosphere?
Costume Design
Do the costumes portray the time period and part of each character’s personality. How did the choice of colours and designs suit the overall look of the performance?
Set Design
Was the set an effective use of space? Did it enhance the performance? Was it easy for the actors to manoeuvre around?
If there were any difficult technical elements discuss how they worked.
How did the design elements compliment the directorial concept?
FORMATTING YOUR REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
This should include the name of the play, the playwright, where the performance was including the date.
PLOT
Try to give a brief description of the story.
THEMES AND ISSUES
Outline the important themes and issues of the play. You should also discuss the director’s interpretation of the play and how the style and form of the play communicates the play’s themes.
ANALYSE CHARACTERS
Describe and analyse the characters. (Often the main two) Talk about the character’s motivation or objectives.
EVALUATE THE PERFORMER
Choose two performers and evaluate their performance.
ELEMENTS OF THE PRODUCTION
Discuss how effective you think the use of sound, lighting, set and costume were in the performance.
by admin | May 21, 2022 | Theater studies
The Theatre Review Outline Form
Watch the play Fences in its entirety (link provided in Topic 9). Review the following questions and answer them with thought and detail, using specific examples from this production.
Information to appear at the top of your review. The name of the play underlined or in italics. The playwright. The director. The designers. The date of the performance being reviewed. Names of leading actors referred to in your review and role played. (The name of the producer and/or the name of the theatre/producing group.)
This review needs to be 3-4 pages in length.
Introductory Paragraph. This paragraph sets the tone for your review. What about this production struck you? (Choose ONE from: The play itself, the production, the actors, the design, the style of the production, the musical settings, the occasion of seeing this play in a specific production venue, etc.) Make sure to address this question: “Is this an important play and, if so, why?” (Hint: You may want to inform the reader of what you expected prior to seeing the play or give some background about your theatergoing experience.)
The Body of the Review.
Isolate what you feel was the director’s interpretation of the play from what the playwright’s intention For instance, almost all historical plays undergo some kind of a change from their initial productions. Compare and contrast Washington’s version from what Wilson might have intended.
Once you have identified the point of the production, go over significant elements with regard to whether they support/detract from the production. (Significant elements might include: casting, acting, dialect, physicalization, cross gender casting, interracial casting, placement of actors by director, design [set, sound, light costumes, music, etc.])
Next, you should focus on ONE key specific element such as the acting or the design and discuss how these elements contributed to the production.
Be certain not only to praise or condemn but backup your observations with supporting evidence and examples from the film.
Assessment.
1) A fence is one of the major symbols, both figuratively and literally, within the play. Describe and analyze two examples of fences that exist within the play discussing:
– who builds each fence
– how each fence is built
– what effect each fence has on the characters in the play
Fences to consider are: the real fence Rose asks Troy to build; the symbolic fences that some characters choose to build around themselves; and the symbolic fence that Wilson hints at regarding the fences that separate African-Americans from others (please be considerate and sensitive when answering this question).
Make sure to stay away from any interpretation found on the internet. This should be your own thoughts/interpretations/etc. If you use internet sources without citing, that is considered plagiarism.
2) Identify what, if anything, did this production contribute to your understanding of theatre? What, if anything, can you say about the style of the production? Was it appropriate for the play, the occasion, the audience, etc.?
Conclusion. Make a recommendation to your reader and support it by referring back to a point raised above in your review. (If you feel strongly positive about the production, advise the reader to go see it immediately. If you feel strongly negative, advise the reader not to go.)
General Advice: If a specific scene or speech makes a strong impression on you, by all means find an excuse to allude to it or quote the passage in your review. If something in the play makes you aware of a specific historical event or general truth, use it as key to unlock the rest of the play. Keep your writing style simple, clear, and direct.
by admin | May 21, 2022 | Theater studies
This Research Paper will be on the Musical: An American in Paris.
The Musical Research Paper has a formal, professional tone, and is intended to help students develop an original and thoughtful composition that is accurate in research and analysis, well organized in structure, and clear in comprehension. The main objective of the paper is to use analysis and research to inform us about the musical itself and how it reflects American life. Avoid merely summarizing the plot, and instead, analyze how the story and characters contribute to a social reflection, making sure that you focus on the lyrics and music and/or dance of at least three songs. You can also use background information about the librettist, lyricist and composer, details about the work itself (actors/singers, directors/choreographers, dialogue, etc.), and historical facts about the world outside the musical in order to draw parallels with the musical. It is always powerful to personalize, but keep the focus on the musical and your analysis of it, rather than on your own life. Here are some questions to help you in your analysis:
How does the music, lyrics and dancing contribute to storytelling?
What are the main themes and is there a statement made by the show?
How is the musical a reaction to something happening in the country at the time?
Is there a character who represents some issue from the era? Are there characters who function as members of the society of the time?
Does the style of the music or staging reflect a quality or issue of the world of the play/musical?
How does the musical reflect the culture that produced it?
In either case, you need to argue your position by explaining how specific examples from the musical support it. Take us into the musical by drawing examples from it, rather than discussing only the era from when the show was produced. A dialogue sequence or a monologue from the libretto may serve your claim as evidence, but also consider the dramatic action (what happens in a scene), as well as characters, the lyrics of the songs, and the style of the music (which communicates feeling more directly than words).
This paper requires more than a paraphrasing from Wikipedia or enotes.com; it demands that you read the actual libretto and/or view the work itself in some form, and apply your critical thinking to it. Do NOT choose one of the six musicals we have focused on in class. The experience is meant to be your own exploration of a work of your choice that does not simply repeat something already covered in class.
The Research Paper should utilize at least 3 to 5 works as sources in the List of Works Cited, and include at least 3 to 5 citations to those sources in the text. Citing your sources not only avoids plagiarism, but gives your paper more credibility. Humanities follows MLA Documentation practice, and you need to use that system for this paper. It won’t hurt you to try a different format from what you may be used to. To acknowledge your sources in the text of the paper, type the author’s last name and a page number within parentheses at the end of the sentence that includes the author’s idea or quotation (Parenthetical Documentation). Do not put whole titles or website addresses in a citation; you will only need a List of Works Cited page at the end of the paper (arranged alphabetically) instead of the usual Endnotes and Bibliography pages. These examples should help guide you, but for specific instructions on creating all forms of documentation, you should consult the MLA Guidelines. If you do not possess a style manual, you might wish to use the online site at Purdue to help you ().
NOTE ON SOURCES: Though you can get familiar with your musical by doing preliminary research using sources from the “surface web” (sources one can access with any search engine, like Wikipedia, bookrags, enotes, sparknotes, etc.), you need to access works for your List of Works Cited from the “deep web” (sources one can only access through the library’s portal, like JStor, Project Muse, etc.). The use of “validated critics” on sites that are subject to “peer review” ensures that your work will have the authority to provide a strong argument for your thesis.
