Watch Production Wicked, Write a Review

Production: Choose a Theatre production. Do not choose a movie, concert, dance show, or otherwise. Use your most informed judgement (from class material and definitions of theatre), OR email me and ask if the specific production is appropriate. Reviews of non-theatrical productions will result in a failing grade for this assignment. 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the performance review paper on the live play wicked you will be assessed on your response to a performance. Resubmissions are not allowed. You will be graded on your grammar, spelling, ideas, and organization. This assignment is worth 100 points.

 

PROMPT

Pretend you are a reviewer/critic for a large newspaper. Your assignment is to write a review of a performance showcase at CSN. Make sure to review the grading rubric at the bottom of this assignment page!

PAPER REQUIREMENTS

• Length: 1,000-1,200 words. This word count is equal to approximately two single-spaced or four double-spaced pages.
• Utilize MLA writing guidelines as much as possible.
• Include a thesis statement with an informed opinion, perspective, or point of view on the production. Justify opinions with specific information from the production. Include a conclusion in the review that wraps up the opinions and provides a sense of closure.
• Touch on the production as a whole, actor performances, technical elements, and designs.
• Provide a flashy title or headline to the review paper.
• Use official titles or names of individuals in the production.

 

HOW TO WRITE A REVIEW

A theatre review is an evaluation of the performance of a theatrical event. It should contain five paragraphs and an “attention-grabbing” headline. Below are some things to think about when writing your paper. After seeing the production, you will decide which types of questions are applicable and which are not. These are only suggested guidelines, and you do not have to follow the prompts below specifically. The article you are writing is meant to read like a review in a paper.

DO NOT USE I IN THE PAPER.

Make sure to back up your opinions with specifics from the production.

 

PARAGRAPH 1 THE BASICS

Tell us about the world of the performance.

Introduce the name of the production, the playwright(s), location of the performance, date of the performance, the production company, and director. In a few sentences, tell about the performance’s underlying theme and provide a general plot synopsis of production or a brief description of the production format. Give a point of view or opinion on the production. Provide a thesis statement, which should offer a perspective, and justify the point of view throughout the additional paragraphs.

 

PARAGRAPH 2 THE PERFORMANCES

React to the performers in the showcase.

• Were the performers believable: true to their monologues/scenes, the production, and the theatrical conditions?
• Voice (speaking): volume, tempo, vocal quality, interpretation, articulation?
• Body: Were the performers’ gestures, movement/physicality, and stage business suitable?
• Emotions: Were reactions genuine? Were climaxes achieved in the play by the performers?
• Relationships: In the instance of a scene, was there teamwork and collaboration among the various artists? Proper relationships by the performers?
• Projection: Project orally and visually to the audience?

 

PARAGRAPH 3 THE DIRECTING

React to the direction of the showcase.

• Directing: Did you like the concept of the showcase?
• The director’s choice of tempo for the performances?
• Did the stage composition (blocking) seem logical for the performers?
• Was the showcase unified? Smoothly run?

 

PARAGRAPH 4 THE DESIGN

React to the visual elements of the showcase.

• Set: Did it establish the right mood and background for the showcase? What kind of atmosphere was created?
• Lights: Did they convey the proper mood, emphasis, and illumination?
• Costumes & Makeup: Were they accurate to the concept of the showcase? To the performers?
• Sound: How did the sound effects and music contribute to the showcases mood?

PARAGRAPH 5 THE REACTION

Write about your response to the performance.

• What was your opinion of the showcase as a whole? 
• What is your recommendation to the reader of your review?

 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO CONSIDER

1. Use the information from your current course as discussion points, when applicable. 
2. Back up all your opinions with valid reasons and specific examples.
3. Be objective and fair.
4. Evaluate the entire production.
5. Be constructive. Indicate good points along with those you felt needed improvement.
6. Be sincere. Believe what you say.
7. Do not be overly negative or positive.
8. Do not be overly critical. Approach a performance with an attitude of enjoying it.
9. Do not be arrogant. Be humble, kind, and understanding of the difficulty of performing.

***The review should provide enough detail and justification to prove that the show was watched in its entirety. Check your playbill when attending to see if the show has an intermission or 2nd act. 

 

Student Learning Outcomes: 

This assignment satisfies the following course objectives:

1. Present designed projects to prove a working knowledge of the elements of design and visual composition for the theatre.

This assignment satisfies the following program objectives:

1. Assess the impact of acting, directing, scenery, lighting, and costumes on a theatrical production.