PROMPT BOOK Play Writing Directing 2016 2017 PLOT

PROMPT BOOK Play Writing & Directing 2016 -2017

PLOT ANALYSIS ■ What is the play’s major dramatic question? One Sentence. ■ Who is the protagonist? What is the protagonist’s goal? ■ What is the play’s inciting incident? ■ List the elements of foreshadowing & what they foreshadow. ■ What is the play’s point of attack? When does it come in the play? What is the first complication? How is it linked to the inciting incident? ■ What is the play’s second complication, following the point of attack? When does it come in the play? How does this complication get in the way of the protagonist's goal? ■ What is the play’s third complication, following the point of attack? When does it come in the play? How does this complication get in the way of the protagonist's goal? ■ What is the play’s fourth complication, following the point of attack? When does it come in the play? How does this complication get in the way of the protagonist's goal? ■ When is the play’s climax? When does it come in the play? How is it connected to the point of attack? How is this moment the protagonist get what he/she wants or forever gives up trying? ■ What is the resolution? When does it come in the play? What is the new balance?

CHARACTER ANALYSIS ■ How is the character defined in stage directions? List all stage directions that are about this character. Show the stage directions define the character. ■ Age/Body. Does the play state how old the character is or a need for a height, weight, or physical size? Or does the play imply these characteristics? How do you come to this conclusion? ■ What is the most important given circumstance of this character and why? How do you come to this conclusion? ■ What are three major emotions that define the character’s personality? ■ What are three major psychological actions that define the character’s personality? ■ What is the character’s relationship with each other character? How do other characters react to or describe this character? Lis examples & specific quotes. ■ Who is the protagonist & what is the protagonist’s goal? ■ What motivates the protagonist to work to achieve his or her goal? ■ Who is the play’s antagonist & what is the antagonist’s goal? ■ What motivates the antagonist to oppose the protagonist? ■ What actions of the antagonist oppose the protagonist? List them in order.

THOUGHT ANALYSIS ■ What is the significance of the play’s title? ■ What lines from the text illuminate the play’s meaning? ■ What is the play’s subject? Express in one word. ■ What is the play’s theme? Express in one sentence. ■ What is universal about this play? ■ What is our protagonist’s goal and show it connects to the subject and theme. Describe in detail. ■ What is your point of attack and show it connects to the inciting incident. Describe in detail. ■ What is your protagonist’s goal and show it connects to the point of attack. Describe in detail. ■ What is your climax and show it connects to the moment the protagonist get whatever he/she wants or forever gives up trying. Describe in detail. ■ For what type of theatre did the author write the play? How does this inform your understanding of the play’s thought?

DICTION ANALYSIS ■ What is the play’s language style? ■ What do you find most distinctive about the playwright’s use of language? List examples. ■ List all the words or terms that will be troublesome for the performers because of pronunciation or definition. Indicate proper pronunciation & definition. Include your sources. ■ What is each character’s distinctive use of language/ Give examples. How does language differentiate between character? Does the playwright use silence to communicate? List such silences. Describe the communication.

MUSIC ANALYSIS ■ What are the musical effects of the play’s language. Use quotations to illustrate your conclusions. ■ What is each character’s ideal vocal quality? ■ What sound effects does the text call for? List each effect & describe its purpose ■ What preshow music do you want? Include the composer, the artist, lyrics. Connect the music choice to the play’s theme. ■ What chaser music do you want? Include the composer, the artist, lyrics. Connect the music choice to the play’s theme.

SPECTACLE ANALYSIS ■ Describe how you envision each visual element, using the playwright’s specifications as applicable. Set/Props Costumes/ Makeup Lights Blocking Performers. What the actors look like, not the characters ■ Explain how the visual elements connect to the play’s theme. How would this affect your blocking? Set/ props Costumes/makeup Lights Blocking Performers. What the actors look like, not the characters.