1. Play Writing & Directing 2016-2017
PROMPT BOOK
Play Writing & Directing

2. PLOT ANALYSIS
What is the play’s major dramatic question? One Sentence.
Who is the protagonist? What is the protagonist’s goal?
What is the play’s inciting incident?
List the elements of foreshadowing & what they foreshadow.
What is the play’s point of attack? When does it come in the play? What is the first complication? How is it linked to the inciting incident?
What is the play’s second complication, following the point of attack? When does it come in the play? How does this complication get in the way of the protagonist's goal?
What is the play’s third complication, following the point of attack? When does it come in the play? How does this complication get in the way of the protagonist's goal?
What is the play’s fourth complication, following the point of attack? When does it come in the play? How does this complication get in the way of the protagonist's goal?
When is the play’s climax? When does it come in the play? How is it connected to the point of attack? How is this moment the protagonist get what he/she wants or forever gives up trying?
What is the resolution? When does it come in the play? What is the new balance?

3. CHARACTER ANALYSIS
How is the character defined in stage directions? List all stage directions that are about this character. Show how the stage directions define the character.
Age/Body. Does the play state how old the character is or a need for a height, weight, or physical size? Or does the play imply these characteristics? How do you come to this conclusion?
What is the most important given circumstance of this character and why? How do you come to this conclusion?
What are three major emotions that define the character’s personality?
What are three major psychological actions that define the character’s personality?
What is the character’s relationship with each other character? How do other characters react to or describe this character? Lis examples & specific quotes.
Who is the protagonist & what is the protagonist’s goal?
What motivates the protagonist to work to achieve his or her goal?
Who is the play’s antagonist & what is the antagonist’s goal?
What motivates the antagonist to oppose the protagonist?
What actions of the antagonist oppose the protagonist? List them in order.

4. THOUGHT ANALYSIS What is the significance of the play’s title?
What lines from the text illuminate the play’s meaning?
What is the play’s subject? Express in one word.
What is the play’s theme? Express in one sentence.
What is universal about this play?
What is our protagonist’s goal and show how it connects to the subject and theme. Describe in detail.
What is your point of attack and show how it connects to the inciting incident. Describe in detail.
What is your protagonist’s goal and show how it connects to the point of attack. Describe in detail.
What is your climax and show how it connects to the moment the protagonist get whatever he/she wants or forever gives up trying. Describe in detail.
For what type of theatre did the author write the play? How does this inform your understanding of the play’s thought?

5. DICTION ANALYSIS What is the play’s language style?
What do you find most distinctive about the playwright’s use of language? List examples.
List all the words or terms that will be troublesome for the performers because of pronunciation or definition. Indicate proper pronunciation & definition. Include your sources.
What is each character’s distinctive use of language/ Give examples. How does language differentiate between character? Does the playwright use silence to communicate? List such silences. Describe the communication.

6. MUSIC ANALYSIS
What are the musical effects of the play’s language. Use quotations to illustrate your conclusions.
What is each character’s ideal vocal quality?
What sound effects does the text call for? List each effect & describe its purpose
What preshow music do you want? Include the composer, the artist, lyrics. Connect the music choice to the play’s theme.
What chaser music do you want? Include the composer, the artist, lyrics. Connect the music choice to the play’s theme.

7. SPECTACLE ANALYSIS
Describe how you envision each visual element, using the playwright’s specifications as applicable.
Set/Props
Costumes/ Makeup
Lights
Blocking
Performers. What the actors look like, not the characters
Explain how the visual elements connect to the play’s theme. How would this affect your blocking?
Set/ props
Costumes/makeup
Performers. What the actors look like, not the characters.