theatre

A big part of this class is for you to go see 2 live professional or college level theatrical performances and to write  production papers on each of them.  Below is information on how to write the production paper and when it is due.  The next module will explain how to find a play to see.
 

Paper Requirements:

• Papers must be turned in before the last day of class.  You can submit them through the link in Assignments.
• Below is an example paper outline you should use.
• Papers must be 12 pt. Times, double spaced format. 
• Papers should be at least 2-3 pages long.
• The paper is a review/critique of a play you saw, so look at examples of reviews and critiques to use as a guideline.
• Look at the questions on Page 41 of your textbook to help you with this paper...answer those questions in your paper, in addition to discussing the design elements as well.
• Aspects of the performance you should be commenting on are the text, story, particular actor performances, costumes, lighting, set design, music...anything else you want.
• Give your opinion, possibly what you would do different if you didn't like it and whether or not you recommend this show for people to see.
• Do not just write, "I liked it" or "The acting was good".  Break it down...what was good about it?  Why did you like it?  Be specific and mention what the costumes looked like and why you think the designer made those choices and same thing with the other designers and their designs.
• When writing about the actors, use their real names from the program to talk about the choices they made in creating their characters.
• Italicize the title of the play in your paper and make sure to mention where you saw this play or what company produced this particular production of it.
• Paper Outline:                                                                                                                                  
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• I. Introduction
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•          -Includes opening paragraph introducing play and production you will be discussing.
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•          -Includes your point of view and opinion.
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•          -Brief synopsis of plot/story, like 2-3 sentences.
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• II. Supporting Paragraph #1 (Design Elements):
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•        Focus on 2 or 3 design elements, like costumes, props, sound, set, lights and how they support or don’t support the play or the director’s vision.  Describe the elements and discuss perhaps why they were the way they were and if it worked for you.
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• III. Supporting Paragraph #2 (Acting):
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•        Focus on 2 or 3 actors and discuss their performance.  Describe what worked or what didn’t work for you and the choices these actors made in creating their characters. 
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• IV. Supporting Paragraph #3 (Direction/ Playwriting):
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•        Focus on what you think the director’s vision was and whether it works or not.  Or elements of the story/writing.  Lots of room here.
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• V.  Conclusion:
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• Wrap it up.