Theater Question

Final Paper: Summation (200 points)
Instructions/Essay Prompt:

Regard that you are a critic and have an assignment to review the show that you have witnessed (please make sure you check the stylistic requirements listed above).  It is your job to promote audiences to want to see it or discourage them from seeing this second show.  Be sure to distinguish the elements between writing, acting, directing and design elements.  Make specific connections between your opinions and samples of what you witnessed.  Describe with details elements from the production that you found exhilarating, provocative, evocative and the like or what you found disappointing, unfulfilling or distracting, etc.  Answer the why?  Answer the how?

Question 1 requires simple information only about the second live play you attended.  Then proceed to address the following four questions/prompts.   Prompt one should be a list, but the rest (prompts 2-4) should be rendered in essay form.  In other words, NOT in a bullet point format other than section one.

1. Performance information (play-going #2)
   a. Name of play and playwright
   b. Producing organization (theatre company)
   c. Venue (name of the building/theatre where the performance took place)
   d. Date of performance you attended
   e. Director’s name
   f.  For Musicals: Composer and lyricist
2. Give a BRIEF description of the second play you watched-a concise description of plot content, themes, perceived messages upon the audience.  This section is not intended to be the crux of your essay–the next section is.  Avoid revealing spoilers.  
3. Include specific opinions about the elements we have covered this term with samples from what you observed – writing, acting, directing, design.  How did it or did it not appeal to you?  What can you tell your reading audience to convince them to see it or deter them from wanting to see it? Again, be specific.  
4. Compare the two live shows you witnessed this term and explain to your reading audience which experience made a greater impact on you and why.    Break down at least two tangible reasons with specific support instances as to why you found one experience more rewarding than the other.  Even if you experienced a similar response to both, choose one to represent your top choice.

Use citations from the plays, examples from your reading or experiences you have had to justify your choices in the questions above.

The thoughtfulness and depth of your answers, supported by the insights you’ve gained this quarter and the examples will be the basis for your grade.