How to Watch a Play

Introduction To Theatre

Regardless of whether or not you intend to become a professional theatre critic; ethics, open-mindedness, and excellent writing skills are useful in all careers.

Watch Death of a Salesman (try the link above titled VIDEO Death of a Salesman) OR this link:
http://p2050-library.uco.edu.vortex3.uco.edu:2050/login?url=http://search.alexanderstreet.com.vortex3.uco.edu:2050/vast/view/work/860189

and write a paper no longer than 1 and 1/2 pages using the following outline:

I. Brief Overview of the Plot
II. Evaluating the Acting

A. Select an actor/actress in the play and discuss a positive quality of his/her acting. (For example, actor Bob Smith used a high pitched voice when portraying his character, and the high pitch emphasized the emotional stress of the character.)

B. For the same actor/actress, discuss an acting quality that could have been improved upon and describe why.

C. Select another actor/actress in the play and discuss a positive quality of his/her acting.

D. For the same actor/actress that you selected to talk about in "C," discuss an acting quality that could have been improved upon and describe why.

III. Evaluating the Set and Costumes

A. How did the set enhance the overall production?

B. What could be changed to improve the set design?

C. How did the costumes enhance the portrayal of the characters?

(Pick one or two costumes on which to focus your evaluation.)

D. How could the costumes have been improved? (Pick one or two costumes on which to focus your evaluation.)

IV. Evaluating the Lighting

A. How did the lighting enhance the overall production?

B. How could the lighting have been changed to improve its overall effectiveness?

V. Evaluating the Sound (music and sound effects)

A. How did the music and sound effects enhance the production?

B. How could the music and sound effects been improved?

VI. Conclusion (Do not introduce new information in the conclusion.

The conclusion should summarize what you have talked about in the paper.)