Project Description

Description:

We will break the class into equal groups. Each group will be responsible for preparing one short "mini-production” of no more than 15 - 20 minutes. This production will be of a scene from one of the plays in your anthology or from the historical period assigned to your group. The production will be done in the original style of the period. The group may elect to do the production in an updated, or modernized, setting and style. Extreme care should be taken in presenting the production as a modernized version. The production should retain the flavor, values, and themes of its original period. The places where these “mini-productions” are produced do not have to be in the classroom. These productions may be elsewhere on campus. The group must take care of all the reservations and arrangements for the space that they use. The use of an actual theater space is not allowed.

The periods we will use will be: Greek, Elizabethan, Neoclassicism, Realism, and Anti-Realism. You are encouraged to use the plays from your anthology or from the existing anthologies in the library. The group is responsible for all duplication costs. The instructor will provide you with a list of suitable works for each period should you have trouble finding a suitable play yourself. Lots will draw periods and production dates. Each Group will meet and determine the individual roles that members will fulfill on the production team. The roles are: dramaturg, producer, director, designer (set and costumes), and actors. It may be necessary to play more than one role due to the size of the chosen scene (e.g. actor / dramaturg). Each group will hand in a listing of the roles they will play in developing the production. This list will also serve as the informational base for the typed production program distributed on the day of the production.

Additionally, a group paper detailing individual research for all the respective production team roles should be presented at the end of the presentation to the instructor. The research should be evident in the "mini-performance" and presentation. These group papers should be two pages in length, typed, and double spaced for each member in the group (e.g. eight members equals a 16 page paper) This paper is due at the time of the "mini-performance." A rough time-line or production schedule is to be turned in for the instructor's approval as soon as the groups meets for the first time. Finally, the whole group is responsible for the 50 minutes of the class on the performance day. The group should plan to present a historical background previous to the performance and a discussion afterwards.

Definition of Roles:

Researcher/Dramaturg – (One per Group) The dramaturg is responsible for researching the stage history and production methods of the assigned period and for disseminating this information to all the members of the group. Copies of this research must be handed in.

Producer - (One per Group) The producer is responsible for the marketing of the production. To this end they are responsible for the program and the poster. They are also responsible for the location of the venue and the reservation of that space.

Director – (One per Group) The director is responsible for overseeing all aspects and scheduling of the production, planning, and rehearsals. Decides which values and/or themes are to be communicated in the production and how to translate them to a contemporary audience (if necessary). Decides which actor's play which characters (casts). Blocks character movement and helps the actors define their characters (rehearses).

Stage Manager - (One per Group) The stage manger is responsible for the organization of the rehearsal and performance period. All information in the rehearsal and production process is recorded by the stage manager in a ‘prompt book’.

Designer(s) - The designers are responsible for the planning and execution of the visual look for the production. This includes the set, props, and costumes. It is possible to divide this role depending on the needs of the group.

Actor(s) - The actors are responsible for portraying their character, as assigned by the director, to the best of their ability. Actors must memorize their lines and attend all rehearsals to which they are called.

Over-Arching Process:

· Analyze the script and research the period, the play, and the playwright.

· Decide what values and/or themes are in the script. Include those themes in the production and communicate them through production to the class.

· Plan and prepare the performance. This should include design conferences and consultation meetings, rehearsals of the actors with the script, and a final dress rehearsal in which all the components are brought together.

· Perform the production in class on the given day and give a supporting presentation.

· Review and critique your efforts and results using the provided ‘group presentation form’. How effective were you accomplish your objective(s)? In what areas were you successful? In what areas could you have improved?

· Grade the other members of the group using the ‘peer evaluation form’. Assign a letter grade for each member along with a short explanation.

Instructors Key Components of Evaluation:

· Application of the chosen values and/or themes to the play

· Analysis of the play in respect to the period and the plays history.

· If attempted, the translation of the play to a more updated period or modernized production style.

· Apparent planning and preparation.

· Effectiveness of the group to communicate to the audience as a production team and as presenters.

· Accuracy and detail of the research in performance and presentation.

Definition of Roles Within the Project

These are the possible roles within the production group for your assigned scene. Please note that since you will be organizing your own groups there are ‘double’ roles listed to provide you with options to help conserve your group members for other positions. If an actor or the director must serve in two roles they are responsible for the documentation of one role only. In this case they should document their primary role as actor or director.

Producer:

· Develops the poster and program.

· Develops a marketing & promotional strategy for the play.

· Aids the director in the venue selection, makes the reservation, and helps with all rehearsal setups.

· Aids the other team members in locating resources and materials.

Documentation:

· Production Program (not to exceed 8.5 x 11 folded).

· Production Poster (not to exceed 8.5 x 14).

· Program and Poster should be graphically consistent with each other and with the production’s commanding image.

· A Typed marketing and promotional strategy which explains who you are going target as an audience, why they are targeted as an audience, and how you are going to get them to the theater? This paper should be no less than 2 pages minimum (double-spaced).

Dramaturg:

· Researches the stage history & production methods of the play.

· Acts as the literary resource for the other members of the performance and production team.

· Helps all the team members locate texts and titles to further their research.

Documentation:

· A research paper on the play and the period with a full bibliography. This paper should not exceed 10 pages (double-spaced). The research should examine both the history of period and production of the play, both stylistically and chronologically.

· The research paper must use either the MLA or APA format for the footnotes and the bibliography.

Producer / Dramaturg:

· Develops the poster and program.

· Researches the stage history and production methods of the play.

· Acts as the literary resource for the other members of the team.

· Helps all team members locate texts and titles to further their own research.

Documentation:

· Production Program (not to exceed 8.5 x 11 folded).

· Production Poster (not to exceed 8.5 x 14).

· A research paper with a full bibliography not to exceed 10 pages (double-spaced). The research paper should examine both the history of period and the production of the play, both stylistically and chronologically.

· The research paper must use either the MLA or APA format for the footnotes and the bibliography.

Director:

· Develops the major themes to be portrayed in the play and the commanding image.

· Organizes the production through planning and rehearsals.

· Casts the scene and helps the actors develop their characters.

· Conducts actor blocking and develops picturization.

Documentation:

· A typed statement of your directorial goals including, the thematic, visual, and character goals for the production. This should be a minimum of 2 pages (double-spaced).

· A journal with an entry before and after every rehearsal noting your goals, which you wish to accomplish, the techniques used, your successes, your failures, your new goals, and a reflection on the “process”. You are encouraged to keep a legible hand written journal. Note: You cannot ’fake this’ at the last minute!!

Stage Manager:

· Records the activities of all the meetings and rehearsals.

· Maintains a prompt book of this information.

· Attends all rehearsals and ‘rides book’ i.e. gives a line when called for.

· Maintains the contact list, calendar, and team schedules.

· Posts calls and notifies all team members of upcoming rehearsals and rehearsal changes.

· Helps the director in setting up and striking the rehearsal space.

Documentation:

· A working prompt book with blocking notation and cues.

· All typed production paperwork to include, a contact list, a rehearsal schedule, a production schedule, and a production calendar.

· Maintains a hand written journal with at least an entry for every rehearsal discussing the ‘process’ of rehearsal.

Designers:

· Responsible for following the commanding image of the production.

· Responsible for the planning and execution of the visual look for the production.

· Must attend all run-through rehearsals or other rehearsals when called.

· Helps the other team members locate resources.

Documentation:

· A typed statement of design goals to include, the thematic and visual goals of the design. This paper should be a minimum of 2 Pages (double-spaced).

· Photocopies of the designers' visual research.

· Sketches, Renderings, or plans of the intended and realized designs.

Actor:

· Responsible for portraying their cast character.

· Must attend all rehearsals they are called to.

· Must memorize their lines.

Documentation:

· A typed statement of your acting goals as reflected in your actor score. This paper should be a minimum of 2 pages (double-spaced).

· You're original actor score.