Broadway and Beyond: The Art and Process of Theater
IMPORTANT NOTE: READ THESE GUIDELINES THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE YOU VIEW THE PRODUCTION AND AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME AND MORE BEFORE YOU BEGIN WRITING THE PAPER.
The objective of this written response is to lead you toward synthesizing what you have learned in this class with what you see on the stage and to provide an opportunity to actively engage with the course’s subject matter.
Consider this Response Paper as a test of what you have learned and how you can demonstrate how comfortable you are with concepts, vocabulary and ideas of this class.
A successful response paper will demonstrate evidence of how thoroughly you have thought through the prompt questions and developed connections in writing between the course content and the production you attended.
Some vocabulary in this prompt has been bolded to indicate appropriate course terminology that you may use and expand upon as your discussion is organized.
This paper will be organized into four topics: RECEPTION, DIRECTING, ACTING and DESIGN (areas include sound, lighting, costume, and set). Organize the prompt questions into these corresponding topics.
*Use the appropriate RECEPTION questions to organize and prepare the introduction and conclusion.
Cover the remaining areas in the body of the paper.
Include ample production references and details from the performance for support.
Incorporate course vocabulary and terminology from all modules, notes, projects, study questions to demonstrate your level of mastery over course content.
When you finish your paper, ask yourself:
If your answer is yes to these questions, you probably have a strong response paper. Grading: Points will be awarded in increments of five points toward the following:
Format (see below)
Questions clearly addressed; Grammar, spelling, mechanics; Specificity/ detail in description
0-5-10-15-20 0-5-10 0-5-10-15-20
Format Checklist for Final Response Paper:
ü Four-five pages: typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt. font
(per MLA)
ü Brief, engaging introduction includes who, what, where, when and a
corresponding conclusion informs the reader of the details under
examination and synthesizes the paper’s content
ü First-person narrative is NOT EMPLOYED
ü Other elements of paper follow strict MLA style
Prompt Questions:
Where and when was this production produced? What is the context of performance (commercial, non-profit, professional, amateur, etc.)?
How effective were the director’s casting choices? Did the actors seem well suited to their roles? How were relationships established by the casting choices?
In performance, did there appear to be a logical interpretation of the play by the director, designers, and actors? How did the directing, acting, and design choices support your opinion?
What scene seemed particularly well directed, or poorly directed? Why?
What stylistic characteristics are most pronounced in this production? Does this
style make the material more or less accessible? Discuss the presence of representational and presentational qualities.
Does the general blocking of the play seem logical on the ground plan? What is memorable about the way the set is used by the actors? Is the director creating appropriate emphasis by the placement of actors on stage? How?
Describe one actor that you found particularly engaging or ineffective. Why was, or why wasn’t, this characterization believable?
What obvious choices in the actor’s physical and vocal work support or detract from the believability?
Do the directing and acting in this production fulfill the needs of the text? How do these two
How was this achieved?
How was aesthetic distance and empathy manipulated by the director and actors?
Was the interaction of the actors playing these characters both logical and interesting to watch? Did it seem spontaneous and natural? (Use vocabulary from course discussions).
Describe one actor that was particularly engaging or ineffective. Why was, or why wasn’t, this characterization believable? What obvious choices in the actor’s physical and vocal work support or detract from the believability?
How did the visual elements of set design, costume, and lighting support or detract from the world of the play?
Do the details of the settings and costumes seem true to the world of this play? Is there a detail that seems odd or out of place? Did the scenery seem appropriate for the action as it is played? What details in the design were effective for you?
What mood does the set, costumes, lighting and sound create? Is it effective for the play?
What effect did the type of theatre space utilized in this production have on the experience? How did the designers achieve this effect?
Did the scenic design successfully create an environment that supported the needs of the production—did it communicate a specific time, place, and atmosphere to the audience? How?
Were the costumes appropriate for the characters? Why or why not? Did the designer utilize specific color, texture, silhouette/ line, and accent to create emphasis? How?
In what scene did the lighting seem especially effective? How was this achieved? Was there an emphasis on focus, intensity, color, distribution, and/ or mood to create this effect? How was orchestration employed? What special effects and/ or techniques were noticed?
Discuss the application of both types of sound by the designer. Were there issues with amplification, special effects, etc.?
Afterwards, consider what just happened? How did it happen? What was its effect on me?
What was/were the artistic intent(s) of this production? How was this achieved? What emotional response resulted? What and how was the effect of the production (or a moment in performance) achieved for you, and possibly other audience members?
