IN YOUR OWN ORIGINAL WORDS

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PLAY CRITIQUE FORMAT

• This paper is a critique IN YOUR OWN ORIGINAL WORDS of your theatrical experience, the theatrical elements involved, and what those elements communicate to you as an audience member and scholar.

• You may not use a previous assignment from another class for this assignment. • Plays must be college or professional level. • Plays must be seen during the current semester. • You may not hand in this critique for any other class you are taking. • All critiques must be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins,

approximately 800-1200 words (3-4 pages), use college level writing skills at all times. o Do NOT write a synopsis of the play. o Utilize vocabulary from your texts. o Be sure to give reasons, details, and descriptions to support your opinions. o Spelling and grammar do count. o Remember that titles should be either italicized or underlined (do NOT put “ “ around major titles). o Please include your name and course (DRAM1310 or DRAM2361). Once your paper is completed,

you will then upload this paper through Turnitin on Blackboard on due dates specified on the Course Schedule.

BELOW IS A LIST OF EXACTLY WHAT MUST BE COVERED WITHIN YOUR CRITIQUE. 1. In the first paragraph you must include:

a) title of the production you saw b) the playwright’s name c) where you saw the show, and d) when you saw the show (Do not spell out the date –ex: Monday, September twenty-fifth, two thousand

four). 2. In the second paragraph express your overall impression of the show. Be SPECIFIC about the theatrical

experience you had. This is a time to talk about the feelings and meanings you experienced. What did the production communicate to you? What were some of the themes that were communicated? You can add any other overall thoughts here. Then, in the following paragraphs outlined below, you will continue to develop this discussion more specifically.

FEELING, MEANING, MOOD, COMMUNICATION=INTERPRETATION 3. – 5. Elaborate on the ALL SIX production aspects of the show:

Set & Props Costumes & Makeup Lights & Sound

Set design: DESCRIPTION and INTERPRETAION 3.1 Name overall locations specifically and is it realistic or stylized? (time period as well) 3.2 Describe 2 examples specifically. 3.3 Interpret these examples (tell us what you think the setting reveals to you personally)What do the settings mean? 3.4 Evaluation: was this design successful? Props: DESCRIPTION and INTERPRETAION 3. 1 Name props—are they realistic? Metaphoric? Both? Discuss how. 3.2 Give specific examples of 2 props, who uses it, how it is used AND 3.3 What it reveals about the person using it (or within the context of the action). 3.4 Evaluation: was this design successful?

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Costumes: DESCRIPTION and INTERPRETAION 4.1 Describe overall look: time period and location 4.2 Describe two specific characters clothing AND 4.3 Interpret what the clothing reveals about who they are specifically (their characteristics) 4.4 Evaluation: was this design successful? Makeup: DESCRIPTION and INTERPRETAION 4.1 Describe overall look 4.2 Describe two specific characters makeup design AND 4.3 Interpret what the makeup reveals specifically about their character and characteristics 4.4 Evaluation: was this design successful? Lights: DESCRIPTION and INTERPRETAION 5.1 Describe overall look specifically 5.2 Give 2 specific examples of moments of lighting you remember—describe these SPECIFICALLY 5.3 Interpret what the lighting means. You can talk about time of day, but beyond that, what does lighting contribute to MOOD (NAME specifically), tone or feeling. 5.4 Evaluation: was this design successful? Sound: DESCRIPTION and INTERPRETAION 5.1 Describe overall sound specifically (this includes music and sound effects too) 5.2 Give 2 specific examples of how the sound sounded and describe SPECIFICALLY 5.3 Interpret how the sound contributed to MOOD and FEELING. You cannot just say that it did contribute to mood, you must also name the mood and then support how the sound contributed to this. 5.4 Evaluation: was this design successful? 6. In this next paragraph discuss your impression of the acting and directing in the production.

• What was moving about the acting? Why? What didn’t work? Why? Be specific. (2 examples) • The director has his/her hand in every single choice made that you see and hear on stage. Be specific and

talk about MEANING you think the director was supplying through particularly described examples. (If you would like, feel free to talk about the director as you talk about all of the design elements and acting)

• Watch out for using vague and general statements, be sure to use specific descriptions and examples. 7. Finally, in your conclusion, articulate whether you would recommend this production to someone else.

Support your recommendation with reasons. Be sure to conclude with a strong and clear ending!