by | Dec 20, 2021 | Theater studies
The main topics I’d like to explore are how guidance is better than censorship, how censorship restricts students’ intellectual freedom, how censorship is bad for development, how involving students in the conversation of what should or shouldn’t be censored is beneficial for them, and how theatre when used as a tool for guidance, can help with student development.
Included is a work cited page and the assignment descriiption/rubric.
MLA, in-text citations are required.
Times new roman, 12 pt. font, and double space.
by | Dec 15, 2021 | Theater studies
In our exploration of the Renaissance as it began in Italy and spread across Europe, we looked at the Renaissance “rebirth” in European art, architecture, literature, and theatre. As part of the English Renaissance, William Shakespeare was one of the artists influenced by the recovery of ancient Greek and Roman artefacts which were copied, translated and, in the case of writing, printed and shared across Europe.
The enthusiasm for these classical rediscoveries was led by humanists and characterized by the humanist passion for learning; a new curiosity about the world and the place of human beings in it; a growing ambivalence towards previous concepts of the universe which had been dictated by religion; and a view of human beings as individuals – social beings whose concerns, ideas, and inquiries were central and valuable.
With these things in mind, where do you find the English Renaissance in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream? How does the production reinforce or re-imagine these aspects of the English Renaissance? Choose a few specific examples from what you see and hear to use in your writing. Your response should be 3 (full)-4 paragraphs.
Please follow these formatting guidelines:
Use Times New Roman or Calibri 12-point font;
1-inch margins all around;
Begin with a single-spaced heading in the upper left-hand corner of your first page using this format:
Your first and last name
THEA 401
The date written out in full (e.g. December 2, 2021)
Single-space down twice and give your response a title (centered);
Double-space your paragraphs;
Italicize the play title each time you use it;
Note the name of the director in full as you introduce the production.
If you go on to discuss elements of direction, refer to the director by his last name;
If you discuss any design elements, please note the designer’s name in full the first time you mention them. Use their last name thereafter.
Please spell-check your document before uploading it.
Due by 6pm.
by | Dec 14, 2021 | Theater studies
This is your chance to experience in a modified, yet comprehensive manner, the various production decisions made in the production of a play. For this assignment, you will choose one of the full-‐length plays we have read to serve as your foundational text. Then, you will develop a production concept, and give that concept form with the selection of various design images and a cast of well-known performers to create a sense of how your finished production might come together.
This is an individual project. Collaboration is not allowed
The Steps:
You will choose your scriipt from one of the full-length plays that we have read this term. You may choose to work through each aspect of the assignment as a group, or divide the group into theatrical roles (director, designers, etc.)
Spend some time considering all aspects of your production and begin to develop your director’s concept for your planned production.
To help you get to a concept, think about the following questions:
What is the main action of the play? What is its theme?
Why perform this play now? What about it seems relevant to today?
According to the scriipt, where are we? When are we?
What is the overall mood of the play? (creepy, festive, romantic, etc.)
What themes or imagery will you highlight with your production?
What will you change about the play, if anything? (time period, setting, etc?)
What research do you need to do to support your decisions (playwright, playcontext, history, etc.)
Write out a statement of concept detailing what the play is about and how you plan to produce it. 1-2 pages.
Select research images and audio files for sound, lighting, scenic and costume design, with a minimum of 5 images for each area of design, with each image labeled to explain your selection. As you consider images think not only about required stage action (something to sit upon), but also the quality of the objects/images chosen (look and feel) that support your choice. As you make choices, also consider props you might want to include.
Cast at least 4 roles within your show with well-known performers and explain your casting choices. (Feel free to cast the entire show if you wish) Provide an image of each selected artist, labeled with their name and the role they are being assigned. Explain in a paragraph your character analysis that supports the choice of this particular performer.
Write a reflection essay (2-3 pages) that describes your creative process and decisions as you worked to create your vision. Like a dramaturg would, include any research you completed to develop your production concept, design, and casting ideas.
Compile the required information into a single document (.docx, PDF, or PPT) file to upload to the Carmen site.
Materials to be submitted include:
Production concept: Written statement of 1-2 pages in which you explain how you plan to approach this production. (Director)
Design images: Minimum of 5 images for scenic design, 5 images for costume design, 5 images for lighting design, and 5 audio samples for sound design for a minimum total of 20 ideas, each labeled with an explanation of the choice in support of your production. (Designer)
Casting: A written cast list with role and actor identified, a labeled image of each actor/actress that you have chosen to cast, and a brief written character analysis that supports why the chosen performer is right for the role. (Actor)
Reflection essay: Written statement of 2-3 pages that describes your group process and decisions as you worked together to create your vision. Include any research you completed to develop your production concept, design, and casting ideas. (Dramaturg)
Grading Breakdown:
Written concept statement and reflection essay – 10 pts.
Creative design work (choices: design images, sound samples, casting) – 20 pts.
by | Dec 14, 2021 | Theater studies
What are the elements of form for short story and the “opening up” questions and be able to apply them to Roethke’s, “My Papa’s Waltz
Be able to explain Perrine’s claim that “poetry generates both heat and light” and apply it Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias
by | Dec 11, 2021 | Theater studies
Consider our class film BLADE RUNNER (1982), and write an analytical essay (double-spaced, standard MLA format) on: Do the replicants have more humanity than the humans? Why or why not? What theme does this issue suggest? Be sure to use specific examples from the film that support your position.
750 words (1000 max), typed, double-spaced, standard MLA format
by | Dec 5, 2021 | Theater studies
Please read the directions document for further information and all the documents I have also uploaded to help you with your response
Part 1: 1 page response
For this assignment, watch the supplemental videos and concentrate on the primary readings that describe the theatre-going experience in this era. Then, write about a 1 page reaction to what you are seeing/reading. How does this theatre reflect the times? Throughout the whole semester we have examined the ways in which theatre is mostly a reflection of the current culture. How do you see it operating here?
Video:
Restoration Audiences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJXaBflc30
This video is a staging of The Country Wife, but it tries to contextualize what a Restoration play would have looked like back in the day. So I would recommend the first few minutes when the focus is on the audience.
Part 2: 2-3 page response
1. For your first part: identify at least three ways that this play is an example of Restoration comedy. Go back to the lecture and find the characteristics that I assigned for it, and give me solid and specific examples. (Make this about 2/3 of a page.)
2. Second, what do you think Behn is doing with the presentation/treatment of women in this play. Some moments, women have agency and doing things for themselves and at others they are being bartered like cattle. I think it is important that the playwright of this play is a woman. Do you see any subversive agenda or theme she is highlighting. (Make this about a page.)
3. Last, go to Act II, Scene II: the first scene between Angellica and Willmore. The scene is inherently about a woman selling herself for sex. Willmore doesn’t want to pay and doesn’t think that she should. But, in my mind, this scene is about theatre. If I were to say that Willmore is critiquing theatre (possibly Behn’s critique of Restoration theatre), find a passage in II.II of Willmore’s that support the above statement. If this is, indeed, about theatre, what could Behn be saying? (Make this a paragraph).
