Class Seven: June 13th

Group discussion

• Review of the past week. Stages show.
• Writing, reading, plays, movies, etc.
• Long Beach Playhouse - June 23rd, 2-5pm - includes discussion
• Full details at Long Beach Playhouse - New Works

Subtext Exercise (from last time)

• Write a ten-line dialogue using subtext somewhere in the story.
• Write another 10 line dialogue where the subtext is also in the stage directions - ie, in what the character does.

Student scripts workshop

• Read and evaluate in depth. (We only support, suggest, encourage; never disparage.)
• Is this ready for the stage? Questions to ask.

The Contract with the Audience

• Discussion on what an audience has a right to expect at the theatre. Brainstorm a list.

More on Character

• How actors study your characters:
• Externally - age, physical and vocal mannerisms, overall appearance, names, where they fit in the environment: time, place, education, socio-economic, political, religious. Action - what do they DO?
• How the character describes himself; how other characters describe him. (It's more fun if these differ!) Illus: Cyrano's nose, swordsmanship and heroic qualities.
• Internally - self image; wants and needs; motivations. Plans and goals. Abilities and expectations. Strengths. Flaws and weaknesses.

The Role of the Antagonist

• Antagonist contributes to the play's action
• Must be a worth opponent
• Makes other characters more dimensional
• The antagonist within the protagonist - also exteriorized

Homework
Complete re-writes of your 10 minutes play
Read a play and introduce it to the class