CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRODUCTION PAPER

Link to the play and a recording of the play. Pick either one

(1200 words/4 typewritten pgs/double-spaced)

You must attend a live children’s performance between 8/20/18 and 10/21/18. The show must be geared for a children’s audience (infancy to 18 yrs. old). Children do not have to be in the cast, but children should be the target audience.

Write a title for your paper that reflects the overall point you make in the paper. Identify the title of the production and the name of the theatre or company presenting it in your first line or paragraph. For this course, write titles either with all caps or underlined. When referring to an actor, use that person’s name.

GENERAL
Use SPECIFIC examples from the performance. Refer to the events of the production to MAKE SPECIFIC POINTS.

DO NOT give LONG descriptions of visual elements in the performance. Use description ONLY BRIEFLY to help make your specific points.

Try to let your opinion show through in the points you choose to discuss. Do not state any appreciation or scorn (especially by saying you did or did not “like” something). Always say why you appreciated the use that was made of specific elements of production (e.g., sets, lights, costume, makeup, props, sound, movement, acting, direction). NO PLOT summaries, descriptions, play by plays, NO FILLER……

This paper is somewhat like a “book report.” You MUST CONVINCE the reader that you actually SAW the performance, so it is best to focus on one or two specific elements in each of the categories. In addition, balance your description of elements with evaluative comments on what each element meant for the overall production.

Write one paragraph or so about the elements of the production, using some of the following categories:

Overall evaluation and introduction to the paper.
Message & concept: What did the performance say to the audience?
How might this performance lead to social change? Does this production reflect issues in society today?
4. What production elements and values connected the acting, design and message?
5. Acting and Movement: projection, tone, dialect, pace, variety, posture, gesture, ensemble, believability, style, period and honesty.
6. Discuss two characters. Which of the actors or dancers did you most appreciate? Why? Base your analysis on an evaluation of how well the performers projected their characters, their vocal qualities, their physical dexterity, etc.
7. Directing: casting, blocking, composition, unity of elements, style and period, unity of purpose and message.
8. Set: environment. Did it serve the world of the play ? What particular design choices were made to create believability and suspension of disbelief ?
9. Costumes: appropriateness, believability & construction.
10. Lights: (similar to set)
11. Sound & Music: (similar to set)
12. Effects: (similar to set)
13. Theatre & stage: What type of stage architecture or arrangement was used? How well did the performers take advantage of it?
14. Audience & house: How did everyone else seem to respond, and how did it affect you? Distractions?

A review with too much description, appreciation, and/or plot narration will be GRADED LOWER. A review that expresses analysis or insight will be GRADED HIGHER.

The best review does more than simply report the facts of the performance. It explains what information or NEW understanding you gained from the production, and provides YOUR OWN PERSONAL ANALYSIS and RESPONSE to the overall performance. For example: What do you suppose the director and choreographers wanted to say with this production? Do you think the production did that purpose justice? Or did the production fail to make the purpose clear? What has led you to this conclusion?

Organize your review around a SPECIFIC, ORIGINAL THESIS. A meaning or message suggested by the performance usually works best. Be sure to explain your thesis carefully and DEFINE YOUR CONTENT EARLY in the review. Your introduction will usually take one paragraph, and it need not be long. Thesis statement

In your next three to five paragraphs, DEVELOP your argument and SUPPORT your thesis with EVIDENCE or EXAMPLES. Each paragraph should make its own point about the thesis, and should contain several examples of production elements. Each element should be a specific example from the production.

Explain your reasoning at each step. How do the elements help to make the point, and how do they relate to your overall argument or thesis? Make sure that your reader can understand HOW you reached your conclusions.

PROOFREAD your work. Grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure will affect the grade that your paper will earn as much as the content of the paper.