Play Assignment #3 - Alternate Production Review
Play Assignment #3 - ALTERNATE Production Review
Please read ALL these directions very carefully before you reach out to me with questions. Choose what you are going to watch. You are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to see a live in-person theatre production for this assignment. The preferred show is the Out Front & Atlanta City Theatre co-production of RUTHLESS. If that is not feasible due to location or schedule, I can help find a show near you that occurs at an accessible time.
Seeing a live, in-person, theatre production is strongly encouraged. As a last resort, if you are limited by location, health concerns, or transportation, you may view a recorded production. Recorded productions should not be a movie remake of a stage play, an amateur production, or a one-act. For example, IN THE HEIGHTS (a movie remake of a stage production) would not qualify, but HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL (on Disney+) would qualify because it is a filmed stage production.
You can find streaming options via services such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, IMDBtv, Disney+, Broadway on Demand, Digital Theatre, Broadway HD, On The Boards TV, and others. Many theatre companies stream their performances, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre - London, American Conservatory Theatre - San Francisco, The Old Globe - San Diego, Berkeley Repertory Theatre - Berkeley, Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Ashland, Alliance Theatre - Atlanta, and many New York-based companies (see playbill.com). Some of these companies offer student discounts.
If you are unsure whether a specific production fits the requirements, email me to clarify. Do not guess, as incorrect submissions may earn zeros.
Watch the production and take notes
Before watching, review the guidelines for the written review and consider which elements to focus on. If attending a live performance, do not take notes during the show, as it is disruptive. Instead, jot down notes during intermission and immediately after the performance.
If attending in person, arrive early—at least 30 minutes before the show starts—and behave politely as this impacts the actors and experience. Avoid talking, unwrapping candy, or leaving during the performance. Respond appropriately with laughter and applause. Turn off your cell phone completely to avoid disturbing others or disrupting the production.
If viewing a streamed production, set aside dedicated time to watch it all at once. Watching the entire show uninterrupted facilitates better review writing. Review the guidelines beforehand and identify key elements to observe and analyze.
Write your review
Your review should analyze the production based on viewing experience, performance quality, direction, set design, costumes, lighting, and overall impact. Incorporate specific examples and detailed observations. Use proper academic writing standards, citing sources where appropriate, and aim for approximately 1000 words. Your analysis should show critical engagement with the production, discussing strengths, weaknesses, and your overall impression.
References
- Booth, D. (2014). Theatre in the Dark: Exploring Performance and Spectatorship. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Carter, R. (2019). Understanding Theatre: Performance, Drama, and Spectacle. Routledge.
- Goldstein, L. (2020). The Art of Stage Design. Routledge.
- McCabe, D. (2003). The Descriptive Review: A Guide for Theatre Criticism. XYZ Publishing.
- Neel, R. (2018). Audience Engagement and Theatre Experience. Journal of Performance Studies, 14(2), 45-62.
- Seales, L. (2018). The Performer's Mind: Acting and Audience Relations. Theatre Journal, 70(4), 515-530.
- Smith, J. (2017). Theatre Production: Techniques and Analysis. Academic Press.
- Wagner, P. (2015). Spectacle and Reality in Contemporary Theatre. Cambridge University Press.
- Williams, S. (2021). Modern Theatre and Its Audiences. Oxford University Press.
- Zarrilli, P. B. (2011). Acting (Re)Considered: Theatre, Performance, and the Actor's Craft. Routledge.