[The following is a two-part drama sequence in which the instructor first gave students a non-thesis-governed dramaturgy project, described immediately below, and then followed that project with a thesis-driven paper designed to build on the dramaturgy project. Included also is the scoring sheet the instructor used to evaluate the dramaturgy project. The resulting work was very impressive, and great deal of credit for that must go to the design of the sequence.]
ENGL105W
"Creative" Alternative Assignment #2: Dramaturgy Project with Follow-up Essay
Ultimately, theatre needs three elements: actors, play, and audience. But for theatre to actualize its potential, a person would need to impose his or her point of view that would penetrate all aspects of the production. That person is the director. A director is needed for any situation, whether it's a staged reading to a congregation, a reader's theatre performance at reunion, or a full theatre production. A director is not only in charge of all aspects of production, as an artist he or she has a vision that ties all performance elements together.
Debra Bruch, http://www.danillitphil.com/base.html
For this project, you will need to select a scene from the list of plays below and then have that scene approved by me:
- Titus Andronicus
- How I Learned to Drive
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- Cloud 9
- The Nature and Purpose of the Universe
In your role as director, you must determine what interpretation of the play you would like to emphasize in the production. After you’ve read the scene, researched the context of the play, and made your interpretive decision, you will then need to make the production choices that will make evident your interpretation. First, edit the scene down to 15 minutes. Then, consider the list of production elements listed below:
- directions to actors (blocking, movement, voice, etc.)
- staging
- time and place in which you will set the play (shown through other elements)
- set design and seating for the audience (the house)
- lighting
- sound and music
- costuming and makeup
- props
- casting choices/changing characters
You must address at least four elements of production in your project.
In a binder, you must present:
- an explanation of the interpretation you have attempted to realize (1 page minimum)
- a copy of the scene you chose, with the appropriate lines deleted to make it fit into the allotted time frame, with blocking notes and any production notes you may choose to insert (lighting cues, sound cues, movement cues, etc.). If you insert cues into the text, please list to what these cues refer on a separate page.
- a section for each aspect of production with which you have chosen to work. These pages should include sketches, tapes, etc. in order to illustrate your vision. They should also include an analysis along with your illustrations that explains how your choices help instantiate your vision.
- a works cited page.
[This is the analytic scoring sheet the instructor used to evaluate the projects.]
Dramaturgy Project Evaluation
Name: ___________________________________
Play: ___________________________________
Explanation of Interpretation (2)
Scene Revision and Works Cited Page (2)
Production Elements:
____________________________ (1.5)
____________________________ (1.5)
____________________________ (1.5)
____________________________ (1.5)
Total:
Comments:
[This is the essay assignment that followed up and built on the dramaturgy project]
ENGL105W : Drama: Sexual Acts
Assignment: Fourth Essay
For your final essay, you will make an argument in favor of the choices you made in your dramaturgy project, based on your project and a close reading of the text involved. The essay should be 6-7 pages long and in MLA format.0
You must produce a sustained argument in this essay, with a clear thesis that goes beyond "My choices are supported by the text." In the body of your essay, prove your thesis by supplying evidence and explaining that evidence in the body of your paper (SEE).
You are not required to use any secondary sources in this paper, but you may find them useful in justifying your choices. Remember to properly cite all sources, both within the body of your essay and on your works cited page.*
This essay is your final exam. I assume that you have a level of mastery over the elements on which we focused during the semester, and I will count off for weaknesses in those areas. If you would like to discuss any of these elements with me in more detail, you need only ask.
At this point, you should be familiar with the writing process and your needs as a writer. Therefore, there is no scheduled draft, peer review, conference with me, or required revision. However, I highly recommend that you complete at least some of the above steps. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a conference with me, or you may come to my office hours. I’d be happy to speak with you about your essay.
Important dates:
Monday, December 8 Essay due on Prometheus by 5PM.
______________________________________________
* Your essay must conform to the guidelines established in the Modern Language Association Handbook. You should set all margins to one inch. Please use 12 point Times New Roman. Make sure to title your essay. Do not use a cover sheet. All citations must conform to MLA format, and you must include a works cited page with this essay. Be sure to cite all sources, not only ones from which you directly quote.
