1. You will complete the assignment after viewing a live theatre experience this semester.
You must have experienced the live theatre experience no earlier than the beginning of the current semester. A video of a past performance or a production that you saw months ago are not acceptable for this assignment. The production should be a college, university, community, or professional theatre production. Most church plays, high school productions, and amusement park diversions are not appropriate. If you are not sure, you should contact the instructor with time to spare.
2. Your paper will be typed, submitted through the Content Tab, by the due date.
Do not email the essay through eCampus or internet email. It will not be graded if submitted through email.
Content of Paper
3. Your paper will be broken up into paragraphs, or you can use an outline format that is clear and specific but includes only the necessary information.
Paragraph 1, Introduction and intent of essay
Paragraph 2, Brief synopsis or summary of the play. Perhaps the three or four sentence description from the advertisement. If you quote directly from the ad or online, then cite it correctly. Identify WHEN and WHERE you saw this play. Include a website or URL link to the production information.
Paragraph 3, Identify the genre of the play (using terms and definitions from the textbook.) Give at least three supporting examples of why you are choosing that genre.
Paragraph 4, Identify the theatrical style of the play (using terms and definitions from the textbook.) Give at least three supporting examples of why you are choosing that genre.
Paragraph 5, Using Goethe’s three questions (pp 80-82), address these three questions:
1. Observe, analyze, and describe the artists intent
2. Observe, analyze, and critique the effectiveness of the production to achieve the artists intent
3. Respond personally to the theatrical production, including whether the artists attempt was worth making
Paragraph 6, Address the theatre
Describe the theatre building, the seating, and any other relevant information.
Give three specific examples of how the theatre building or your particular seat affected your experience.
Paragraph 7, Address the performers
Describe the performers in the show
Give three specific examples of an action a performer and how it affected your experience.
Paragraph 8, Address the director
Who directed the play?
Identify one specific moment where you think the director directly shaped what you saw on stage (blocking, acting, visual or aural design). Be specific!
Paragraph 9, Address the scene designer
Who designed the scenery for the play?
Identify three specific elements of the scene design that shaped your experience of the play. Be specific – how did it impact your experience?
Paragraph 10, Address the costume designer
Who designed the costumes for the play?
Identify three specific elements of the costume design that shaped your experience of the play. Be specific – how did it impact your experience?
Paragraph 11, Address the lighting designer
Who designed the lighting for the play?
Identify three specific elements of the lighting design that shaped your experience of the play. Be specific – how did it impact your experience?
Paragraph 12, Address the sound designer
Who designed the sound for the play?
Identify three specific elements of the sound design that shaped your experience of the play. Be specific – how did it impact your experience?
Paragraph 13, Address any other design elements
Were there projections or special effects?
If so, identify three specific elements of the each design area that shaped your experience of the play. Be specific – how did it impact your experience?
Paragraph 14, Address each of these questions:
1. Who is the playwright?
2. When was the play written?
3. What elements of the production you saw might have been significantly different from the original production (be specific in your response)?
4. What elements of the production you saw might have been significantly similar to the original production (be specific in your response)?
Paragraph 15, Conclude the essay
Bonus Section, if you did it
4. Papers not following this format will be returned to the student if time allows. Several students have received ‘zero’s on this assignment because they did not follow the correct format and did not answer the questions asked by the assignment instructions.
Grading
7. Because you are writing about your experience, you should write the paper as soon as possible after your experience. You cannot possibly remember every detail in long-term memory, and you want to put your thoughts on paper while the details are still fresh.
8. Grading: I may take off one point for every misspelled word and grammatical error, so you may want to have someone look over your paper before you turn it in, and with time to do the revisions. Improper citations or plaigirism may lead to a very, very low grade.
BONUS EXTRA CREDIT
If you desire up to 5 points extra credit for this major grade, take a date (friend, family, etc) to the show. Get dressed up, go out to eat, see the show, and then discuss the show after afterwards. Then you must write another essay (1-2 pages) on that total theatre experience. You must add it on to the end of your main essay as ecampus will only accept one submission per student.
Answer at least these questions:
1. How did it feel dressed up for your theatre experience?
2. What was the experience like, sharing the production with someone?
3. What was the conversation about the play?
4. Would your guest recommend the play to others?
5. How did the two of you participate as an active audience?
6. How else did this added element shape your experience?
