The World of a Play

Oscar Brockett Theatre is repeatable but not reproducible. Theatre is repeatable but not reproducible.

Joe Dowling artistic director – Guthrie Theater “Three elements involved in theatre— author, actor, audience— communication is essential among these three. The role of the theatre is to tell the truth and show flaws of our society.” “Three elements involved in theatre— author, actor, audience— communication is essential among these three. The role of the theatre is to tell the truth and show flaws of our society.”

The director’s role is to make decisions and choices.

Text Analysis Research: read reviews, dramatic criticism, compare translations, look up words in the dictionary

Text Analysis Determine Given circumstances: where, when, & what took place prior to the beginning of the play

Text Analysis Theme: point to be made determined by the director Theme: point to be made determined by the director Imagery: sensory details (sights, sounds, color, texture [visualized pictures])

Characters 1. What do they say about themselves? 1. What do they say about themselves? 2. What do others say about them? 2. What do others say about them? 3. What do they do? 3. What do they do?

Plot: action that tells the story Action: Action:  What does each character want?  How does he/she achieve it?  What is his/her life search? Conflict: obstacles between characters determining their life search

Levels of Characterization 1 st Level: PHYSICAL – simplest level that deals with external traits/basic facts – sex, age, size, color 1 st Level: PHYSICAL – simplest level that deals with external traits/basic facts – sex, age, size, color 2 nd Level: SOCIAL – factors that place character in his/her environment – character’s economic status, profession or trade, religion, family relationships 2 nd Level: SOCIAL – factors that place character in his/her environment – character’s economic status, profession or trade, religion, family relationships

Levels of Characterization 3 rd Level: PSYCHOLOGICAL – most essential level as it deals with feelings, thoughts, & behaviors; reveals habitual responses, attitudes, desires, motivations, likes & dislikes 3 rd Level: PSYCHOLOGICAL – most essential level as it deals with feelings, thoughts, & behaviors; reveals habitual responses, attitudes, desires, motivations, likes & dislikes 4 th Level: MORAL – a character’s ethical standard can show whether a character is selfish, hypocritical, or has integrity 4 th Level: MORAL – a character’s ethical standard can show whether a character is selfish, hypocritical, or has integrity

Actor’s Responsibilities A. Analyze these levels as to how they function in a play A. Analyze these levels as to how they function in a play B. Every actor must make words his/her own. B. Every actor must make words his/her own. C. If the character knows then the actor should know. C. If the character knows then the actor should know.

Always ask…. What is the environment of the play in terms of economic, religious, political, & social issues? What is the environment of the play in terms of economic, religious, political, & social issues?

Economic Environment Characters (rich, poor, middle income) Characters (rich, poor, middle income) Larger society (is the town poor… is there a distinction between the haves and have- nots?) Larger society (is the town poor… is there a distinction between the haves and have- nots?) How does economy figure into the play? How does economy figure into the play?

Religious Environment What role does religion play in the lives of the character and the community? What role does religion play in the lives of the character and the community? Are the characters truthful? Are the characters truthful?

Political Environment What are the politics of the time? What are the politics of the time? What are the politics of the various characters? What are the politics of the various characters?

Social Environment What are the social mores of the community of the play? What are the social mores of the community of the play? How do the various characters fit into these mores? How do the various characters fit into these mores?