ACTOR RESPONSE PAPER: DESCRIPTION and GUIDELINES
As indicated in the syllabus, you are required to see the four Theatre and Drama productions presented this semester. You are also required to write and hand in two Actor Response Papers (only one per show.) Below are some guidelines for writing these papers.
• You must attend and watch the entire production.
• Select one actor to observe and critique.
• Based upon what we have been doing and discussing in class evaluate the effectiveness of the actor’s performance.
• You must support your statements using specific examples from the actor’s performance.
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
1. How was the actor’s performance believable?
A. Describe from a particular scene how props were effectively used to create belief.
B. Also name a beat or beats of behavior played by the actor. Describe how it was playedby using some of the text (as much as you might recall), chosen physical actions, and interaction with other actors to create a purposeful act to influence others – e.g. to impress, to insult, to love, to support.
2. Name what you think is the overall intention of the scene. What active behavioralstrategy isthe actor/character pursuing to influence others for a goal – e.g. to impressmy boss so she will give me a raise; to clearly go through every one of my past bills with the Bursar so they will see I have been overcharged and give me a refund; to flatter my roommate on his/her singing ability so he/she will lend me twenty dollars.
3. Name and describe a physical choice/s that the actor made that you thought helped to identify the character. What identity did this create for you?
4. Name and describe a vocal choice/s that the actor made that you thought helped to identify the character.What identity did this create for you?
5. In subjective terms briefly describe some aspect of the actor’s performance you did not care for and why. If you had no reservations then briefly describe why you think this actor was very effective overall in the role.
KEEP IN MIND
• You (and no one else) must sign in at the show.
• Choose an actor in a large enough role for you to be able to write about.
• Your paper must be typed and reviewed for spelling and grammar. Visit The Writing Center ifnecessary.
• Your paper should be approximately three pages.
• Your paper should have an introductory paragraph naming the actor you are writing about, the role played, the name of the play, and the performance date you attended.
• Use full sentences in answering the questions and not bullet points or some other short hand.
• Finish with a concluding statement that summarizes your comments – e.g. “Overall as cited in my examples, Jane Smith in the role of Hedda Gabler created a believable character that was involving and intriguing for the audience, and, despite my one reservation on her performance, I was fully engaged in the performance.”
• Papers are due the Monday after the production closes.
• Late papers will not be accepted.
TAKING NOTES WHILE WATCHING THE PLAY
• Read all the information above before the attending the performance.
• Focus on your own reactions to your chosen actor and his/her scenes.
• Be selective and do not try to take notes on everything.
• Take notes as soon as possible – during intermission and after the performance.
• After the performance read again all of the above information.
• Start to arrange your responses based on the given questions.
