THE 106

Given Circumstances

Given Circumstances

1. Setting
2. Date and time
3. Class structure
4. Government and Laws
5. Social Circles
6. Religious Institutions

Dramaturgy

a researcher that helps theatre artists make informed artistic choices

Basic Elements

1. Exposition
2. Introduction to character/setting/relationship/situation
3. Inciting Incident
4. Rising Action
5. Climax
6. Resolution

What is a Play?

A narrative Story performed

Stage directions

Entrances and exits
Vital action that needs to take place (Kiss, shove, slap, stabbed with a pencil)

how to read a script

First read: Open read
Second read: Informed read
Third read: Focused read

Playwright's work

Different versions/drafts, translations, play development could help produce a range of variations in each production

Script analysis

Critical articles, historical resources, reviews, production history, editions, adaptations, translations

Previous actions

1. Characters action before the action takes place
2. Offstage action could be simultaneous
3. Previous actions are revealed through dialogue

Character descriptions

1. Characteristics the playwright describes in stage directions
2. Statements characters make about themselves and others

Story

A chronological account of everything we know about the characters on and off stage, before and after the events of the play

number of scenes

playwrights patterned arrangement of events, to dramatize onstage set in a certain order for dramatic effect.

climactic play

casualty is direct and linear

episodic

with multiple plot lines, transitions from unit to unit may appear more abrupt and contrast

What is a Script?

A blueprint for the actors to be performed onstage

What is given circumstances?

"The facts contained within or implied by the play's text"

Time Period

Looking into the time period of the setting as well as the time period the author lived in can help better understand the given circumstances of the script and the characters motivations as well as understand why the author wrote the play in the first place.

7 elements

1. Point of attack
2. Number of scenes
3. Number of locations
4. Number of characters
5. Number of plots
6. Type of casualty
7. Duration of action

6 obstacles

1. character
2. past and present circumstances
3. relationships and other objectives
4. events
5. surroundings
6. objects

Tragedy

a drama in which a series of actions leads to the main characters downfall

Hamartia

a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine

hubris

excessive pride

catharsis

"purging" of the emotions pity and fear which are aroused in the audience

comedy

a humorous work of drama

Necessary Skills

time management
organization
collaboration
communication
attention to detail
ability to operate under pressure

brainstorming technique

what are you passionate about?
what makes you angry?
what are your big questions?
what do you draw inspiration from?
brain dump
keep an idea log

Director

has overall vision, assembles team, coordinates design team, casting, rehearsals

Actor

researches and memorizes character

production meeting

director, stage manager, design team read and analyze script, note potential requirements, research time period, production history

Elements of a script

1. Title

2. Setting

3. Date and time

4. character descriptions

5. Authors note

6. Stage directions