Instructions
Plays are meant to be performed, rather than read. The purpose of dramatic arts often extends far beyond the words written on a page; staging, lighting, costumes intonation, expression, and audience experience are all part of the experience of a theatrical production. To develop your understanding of the cultural role of the dramatic arts, you will view a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Choose a play that you would like to view and find a version online, YouTube, DVD or iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc. You can also choose to see a play live if you prefer.

Play Suggestions:

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • As You Like It
  • Taming of the Shrew
  • The Tempest
  • Much Ado About Nothing
  • The Comedy of Errors
  • Macbeth
  • King Lear

If you have another idea, please ask your instructor to approve it.

Then, select and address one of the following options:

Option 1: Write an analysis of the play that you viewed. Include at least one quote from the play in your essay. In your essay, address the following:

  • Identify the performance that you have selected.
  • Describe the staging, lighting, costumes, and characters of the performance. How do these match or revise the written version of the play? You do not need to read the entire play, but you should skim the text.
  • What type of mood and tone does the performance create? How?
  • What parts of the play are easier to understand through performance? What are some details that stood out through performance?
  • What are your feelings about this performance? What did you take away from viewing it?

Solution Preview

Performance selected

 The performance that is selected is by William Shakespeare called “The Tempest”. The play was written and performance in 1611 and the publication of the play was done in the first Fabio of 1623. The publication was made from the transcript edited by Ralph Crane. The plat faced challenges at first with the hindrance of any plays being made but there was a declaration of change and the play became one of the best work done by Shakespeare as per Bergmann and Green (2018.

Staging, lighting, costumes, and characters of the performance

The play that I watched was with a stage that had enough spacing for the ease of movement of the performance. This is an important aspect in that it allows for the provision of a clear view of the actors performing in the stage. Irrespective of the stage being enough, there is time that I saw the actors bumping into each other. The lighting in the stage was bright enough to help in allowing us to see well although there is an instance that there is dim lighting depending on the thematic presentation and action….

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