Critique of a Live Theatrical Production

Your assignment is to write an analysis paper of a live theatrical production. Where the production takes place does not matter. What does matter is that the production includes at least the following theatrical elements: costumes, sets, scenery, lighting, acting. The more elements the production has (such as music, masks, sound effects, etc.) the more you will be able to analyze. So you will have more to think about critically if you see a big, professional musical than a high school production of talking-play, such as Death of a Salesman.

The play analysis should conform to the following structure:

Introduction: State where and when the production took place and what you perceived as the central production concept of the production.

Body: Include sections that describe each of the elements (e.g., costumes, sets, acting, etc.) of the production in descriptive detail. Each of these sections should also explain how the element in question either added to or detracted from the production concept of the show you saw.

Conclusion: State (a) Whether or not the production concept was effectively realized, (b) why this concept was or was not achieved, and (b) whether or not you think this production was a worthwhile artistic project.

Here are some things to remember:

You must see a live theatrical production to write this critique. Movies and films are not live productions, so they do not count.

You should use highly descriptive language to talk about how the theatrical elements in the production (sets, costumes, lights, etc.) either added to or detractd from the directorial concept. Non-descriptive language will result in a lower grade. Describe what you see and hear.

Relate everything you say to what you beieve is the directorial concept for the production. To refresh your memory about what a directorial concept is, go back to the module where I uploaded a video on directorial concepts and re-read what Felner has to say in her book about the directorial concept.