Theatre History II Paper #3
Performance Criticism
Dr. Larsen
For this exercise, evaluate the
experience of seeing the play on its own terms, separate form reading it.
Use this guide also if you are writing critiques for extra credit.
Format:
- 3-5 pages
- typed, no contractions, proper
spelling, etc.
- ticket or program stapled to top left
corner
Style:
MLA –
no contractions
The first
time you mention the character, put the name of the actor in parenthesis next
to the character name. Also make sure you refer to the director or designers’
name when you refer to them (keep your program)
Write about
the performance in the past tense
State your
personal opinion
Content:
- Start
with a general introduction that includes your opinion about the show
(which you will explain as you continue the paper)
- Organize
the body of the paper so that you answer the questions: What was
this production trying to communicate (concept)?
- If
you participated in the show, discuss perhaps: what the director told you
about the concept or what you inferred from working with the director.
- Was
it successful in communicating the concept? HOW and WHY? You
will discover this by examining the following:
- Did
the theatrical experience make sense to you? WHY? Did the various
elements (acting, design, directing) work well together? HOW? Did each element support or detract
from the message – HOW and WHY? Did one element or actor
stand out for you? What was it about them that made you pay
attention? Be prescriptive in your criticism.
- How
did this play relate to the historical time period it was written in? set in? produced in? Did it
make sense? How did the play perform for a contemporary audience? Note the response of the audience, Be prescriptive.
- Conclude
with a paragraph in which you summarize your reaction to the show, and
state your opinion about whether the play was worth doing (for the
theatre) and seeing (for you).
What counts in your writing:
- Make sure you clearly answer HOW
and WHY and support your arguments specifically.
- Punctuation, grammar, spelling,
syntax
- Having a definite opinion