play review 3
ASSIGNMENT: PLAY REVIEW #1 **REVISED FOR ONLINE VIEWING**
DATE DUE: Play Review #1 – Due MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2020 no later than 11:59 P.M.
GRADE WEIGHT: 15% of overall grade (15 points)
New Revisions in light of COVID-19
- If you have already seen a play live before the theater closures – FANTASTIC! Then complete your play review. Take a screenshot of your ticket/program and fill out the play review form.
- If you HAVE NOT YET seen a live play, then you will need to see a play with one of the following methods I posted in CANVAS such as these below. I listed more in my announcement.
-Digital Theatre + (they usually have a FREE one week trial) www.digitaltheatreplus.com (Links to an external site.)
Try these: username: dtremote / password: dtremote
-Broadway HD (one week free trial): https://www.broadwayhd.com (Links to an external site.)
-PBS (select plays not films): Download the FREE PBS app to see one of their excellent selection of plays and musicals recorded live. Click here: https://www.pbs.org/show/great-performances/collections/broadway-pbs/ (Links to an external site.)
You are welcome to research and find others, but I must approve them first!
You must see two full-lenth plays or musicals as part of this course during the semester! You must write a play review for both plays (one review for each) and your play reviews MUST follow my instructions CLOSELY – see below!
Review #1 is due on Monday, April 20 by 11:59PM. WHY NOT DO IT EARLIER?!
THE PLAY OR MUSICAL MUST BE SEEN THIS SEMESTER: BETWEEN 2/18 AND THE DUE DATE!
STAND UP COMEDY, SHORT PLAYS (LIKE AN IMPROV SET) OR CIRCUS PERFORMANCES (LIKE CIRCUE DU SOLEIL) WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR REVIEWS!
Review #1 and Review #2 can be of any full-length professional or collegiate play that you can find online that was recorded in front of a live audience, but I recommend using the links I provided. A full-length play/musical = 80 minutes or longer.
GUIDELINES:
A “critique” as defined by the Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary as “an act of criticizing; a critical estimate or discussion; the art of evaluating or analyzing with knowledge and propriety works of art or literature.â€
TIP: Read examples of critiques through the Los Angeles Times, Burbank Leader, New York Times, Variety, and other sources to see what critics focus on. ALSO, Chapter 15 “Viewpoints†of the Barranger text, Theatre A Way of Seeing 7th edition outlines a critic’s job when approaching a play review.
PLAY REVIEW FORM RUBRIC: 15% of overall grade total.
-All questions are answered clearly with proper grammar and spelling as well as specific designer, actor, director names given as evidence to back up statements. (4%)
-You have included critical thought and analysis within the answers, with specific evidence to back up general statements and opinions (HINT: Use designer names, actor names, and other specifics here as well). (8%)
-You have an understanding of terminology such as theme, plot, and summary. (3%).
TOTAL = (15% / 15 points)
Other items to consider when writing your play review:
Content and Analysis
Is there a mature approach to subject matter?
Was there use of slang incomplete sentences?
Is this college level work?
Class concepts/general theatre
Are there specifics on acting, directing, theme, technical theatre?
Does the critique / review present conclusions based on class/textbook concepts?
Grammar/Spelling/Sentence Structure
Does the critique present adequate support of opinions and does it have good grammar and spelling?
Following Directions/Proof of Attendance
You must submit on time. Late work cannot be accepted. Note deadlines. Keep ticket stub and program as proof of attendance. There will be a proof of attendance assignment under the assignments section the week the play review is due. (N/A for Spring 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How does one write a critique/review?
A: First place to start is research. Either a newspaper or internet server can help you here. Do not “cut and paste†the synopsis from a website. Use your own ideas and critical thought.
Q: What is contained in a critique?
A: What was your experience like?Was this your first time seeing this particular play?What were your expectations? Did those expectations change?Since you are “analyzing†as stated in the definition above, how would this compare to other works that you have experienced.How was the acting? The story? The technical elements (such as costumes, set design, sound design)?
Q: What if I completely disliked the experience?
A: I would like to know about it. A particular production isn’t for everyone, but I would like to know why. You are analyzing it from a critical point of view, which means explaining to an “audience†who hasn’t been to the play or film about the experience and why or why they shouldn’t attend.
Other HELPFUL HINTS:
– Write in “third person†– rather than “I really liked this showâ€, state your opinion so you are giving a general perspective: “PCPA’s production clearly depicted the playwright’s intention through the directorial concept and portrayal of the complex charactersâ€
– Take a pencil and pad with you to the performance to jot ideas down
– Use the names of the actors, director, and designers in your critique (information that is found in the program). Be specific as possible.
Where can I find the names of the performers? Producer? Designers? Playwright?
PLAY REVIEW FORM QUESTIONS to cut and paste and include in a PDF document under the assignment. You can also type in if you’d prefer, just make sure you answer all of the questions listed in order to receive full credit.
NOTE: This is not an ESSAY. (That will be reserved for Play Review #2).
For the ratings – you may highlight or simply include your rating (See below)
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PLAY REVIEW # |
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DATE: |
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FIRST NAME: |
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LAST NAME: |
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PLAY TITLE: |
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AUTHOR: |
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PRODUCER: |
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THEATRE (Name and Location): |
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SHOW DATE: |
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WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCTION FOR OTHERS TO SEE? Why or Why not? |
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OVERALL REACTION TO THE SHOW: |
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EXPLAIN your OVERALL REACTION (using critical thought) Give a brief justification as to why you rated your overall reaction as you did : |
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BRIEFLY OUTLINE THE STORYLINE OF THE PLAY: |
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WHAT WAS THE THEME OF THE PLAY? (What was the playwright want you to walk away with upon the play’s conclusion?) : |
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DESCRIBE THE TWO MOST COMPELLING ASPECTS OF THE PRODUCTION. EXPLAIN YOUR CHOICE (Aspects of the production include direction, set design, lighting design, costumes, sound design, make up, acting, dance, music, stage combat, etc.) |
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DESCRIBE THE LEAST SUCCESSFUL ASPECT OF THE PRODUCTION. EXPLAIN: |
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WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PLAY’S MOST RELEVANT TOPIC IN REGARD TO YOUR LIFE? (TIP: All stories are relatable to the human condition in one way or another – go deep to explore this through your critical analysis to help find the answer) |
Below is a scale system 1 -5 (which you may highlight, circle, or indicate how you wish. Remember to use your program to find the names of the artists responsible.
TIP: Have you included names and details in your answers above? Back up evidence, which include designer, actor, director names and details from the show will help you be most successful for this assignment and give the reader a sense of attending.Again, ask yourself “WHY?†you rated them as you did. Go beyond one word conclusions to describe (e.g. “boringâ€)
RATE DIRECTION:
1 = BAD; 2= SO-SO; 3= OKAY; 4 = GOOD; 5 = WOW
DIRECTOR’S NAME:
RATE SET DESIGN:
1 = BAD; 2= SO-SO; 3= OKAY; 4 = GOOD; 5 = WOW
SET DESIGNER’S NAME:
RATE LIGHTING DESIGN:
1 = BAD; 2= SO-SO; 3= OKAY; 4 = GOOD; 5 = WOW
LIGHTING DESIGNER’S NAME:
RATE COSTUME DESIGN:
1 = BAD; 2= SO-SO; 3= OKAY; 4 = GOOD; 5 = WOW
COSTUME DESIGNER’S NAME:
RATE MAKE-UP DESIGN:
1 = BAD; 2= SO-SO; 3= OKAY; 4 = GOOD; 5 = WOW
MAKE-UP DESIGNER’S NAME:
RATE OTHER TECHNICAL AREAS (as applicable)
RATE ACTING:
1 = BAD; 2= SO-SO; 3= OKAY; 4 = GOOD; 5 = WOW
ACTOR’S NAME:
ACTOR’S NAME:
ACTOR’S NAME:
