Scene Studies #1

This semester you will each have an opportunity to direct two of your classmates in a scene.  Our first scenes are contemporary two-character scenes, due on Thursday, March 1st. 

Group 1:   Director:  Michael, with Jess and Meagan

Group 2:   Director:  Rachel, with Cassie and Neil

Evaluation:

Criteria	Level 4	Level 3	Below Standard—what you need to do next:
Prepared (Actors) ·         Knowing your lines ·         Knowing the script	Authentic interaction between two people in a specific situation at a specific time; confidant, no hesitation in movement/blocking may need one prompt; able to cover for partner if something goes wrong	Interaction between two characters in a specific situation, at a specific time; exhibits confidance, little hesitation in movement/blocking 2 – 3 errors May require a script on stage for occasional prompting
Vocal (Actors)	Audience experiences authentic  voice of the character being portrayed in this specific situation at this specific time	Appropriate volume, pitch, rate, pace, tone Correct pronunciation Holds for laughs if necessary
Physical (Actors)	Audience experiences authentic physical communication of the character being portrayed in this specific situation at this specific time	Appropriate use of gesture, facial expression, stance, movement to convey content (message) to audience

Application:  

            Prepared                    4          3          2          1

            Vocal                           4          3          2          1

            Physical                      4          3          2          1

           

Blocking (Director)	The planned movements and use of set add authenticity to the scene	The planned movements and use of set help to communicate/convey the scene/its message to their audience
Character Portrayal (Director)	The actors portray authentic characters true to the nature of the scene	The actors have a good sense of what is going on in the scene and use their voice and physicality to portray a definite character
Set/Staging/ Costumes (Director)	All elements combine to create a superior  theatrical experience for the audience (set/staging/costuming/ music/sound effects)	Most of the elements combine to establish a good theatrical experience for the audience

Application:  

            Blocking                                              4          3          2          1

            Character Portrayal                           4          3          2          1

            Set/Staging/Costumes                       4          3          2          1

           

Reflection Questions (Thinking/Inquiry Level 1 2 3 4 – degree/quality of thought/insight)

                                    (Communication Level 1 2 3 4 – use of proper terms; clarity of message

                                                                                                for purpose/audience)

If you were an actor, complete A.  If you were the director, complete B.

A.       

1.      In two to three sentences, summarize this scene from your character’s viewpoint.

2.      Explain how your director cast this scene.  (Note:  if it was determined by gender, say so. J)

3.      Did you get the role you preferred?  (Note: if it was determined by gender, say so and move on to question 4.)  If the role was NOT determined by gender, which of the two roles would you have preferred?  Why?

4.      What was the most challenging aspect of portraying this character?

5.      In what way(s) did you draw upon your own personal experiences to portray this character?

6.      In drama classes, you are often thrown into a group to create and perform a scene, or given a script to work on with others.  How did this experience of having an official director change the way you worked? 

7.      What did you like about having a director?  What did you NOT like about having a director?  Based on this experience, how do you plan to approach the role of director when it is your turn?

8.      As a drama student, what was the most challenging part of this task?  (working with others, memorizing, coming to class…. J)  Why?  How did you overcome it?

Reflection Questions (Thinking/Inquiry Level 1 2 3 4 – degree/quality of thought/insight)

                                    (Communication Level 1 2 3 4 – use of proper terms; clarity of message

                                                                                                for purpose/audience)

If you were an actor, complete A.  If you were the director, complete B.

B.

1.      In two to three sentences, summarize this scene.

2.      Explain how you cast this scene.  (Note:  if it was determined by gender, say so. J)

3.      Did your cast fulfill your expectations?  Explain.

4.      What was the most challenging aspect of directing your actors in portraying their characters?   If you could only pick one of these two people to work with again, which of the two would you prefer?  Why?

5.      In what way(s) did you draw upon your own personal experiences as you directed these actors in this scene? 

6.      What did you like about being a director?  What did you NOT like about being a director?  Based on this experience, how do you plan to approach the role of actor when it is your turn?

7.      As a drama student, what was the most challenging part of this task?  (working with others, conveying your vision, coming to class…. J)  Why?  How did you overcome it?