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Lesson 1

Learning@Home reminders:

ROLL MARKING

I will be marking the roll at the beginning of every scheduled lesson to receive instruction & lesson-activities - so make sure you log in via GoogleHangouts. It is expected that you ‘attend’ class online, just as you would at school. Absences will be recorded as normal via SIMON.

SUBMITTING WORK

Activities and work will be posted on the ‘Classwork’ stream on the Google Classroom page, or, via email. It will be explained and set at the beginning of lessons, and then you will be able to undertake during the scheduled class lesson time. When completed - email direct (or share via GoogleDocs) by the due date.

GOT A QUESTION?

You can of course ask questions when online via GoogleHangouts or you can contact me via email - and I will reply as quickly as I can during normal school hours (9am-3.15pm).

COLLABORATE

Work on activities together and share ideas, questions and problem-solving… and most of all - to stay connected together!

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Definition

Lesson 1

Practitioners use elements of theatre composition to organise components of a theatre production to create a deliberate effect, realising their aims and intentions and/or those of the creative production team. Elements of theatre composition can be used to give structure to the interpretation or the way it is presented on stage in performance to an audience. These elements can also be used to encourage or lead the audience to engage in the work. They can be applied individually or in combination, in any theatre style, used within any production role and at any stage of the production process.

The key thing to remember here is that these elements are deliberately selected and applied to provoke a specific level of engagement and/or reaction from the audience. In other words, the elements of composition are used to create meaning for the audience. The elements of composition may or may not all exist at the same time. Rather they should work seamlessly together to support the interpretation of a script.

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The Elements at a glance...

Lesson 1

Contrast

juxtaposition of seemingly different or opposing aspects or qualities within the interpretation.

Emphasis

aspects of the interpretation are given a particular focus, importance or prominence.

Rhythm

the pace, timing and tempo within the interpretation.

Variation

changes to the dynamics of the interpretation, as may be evident in the use of tension, conflict, intensity, energy and use of the space.

Cohesion

the unity and balance of various aspects of the interpretation.

Motion

the movement or implied movement of actors and design features in the theatre space. This may

include position, pattern, arrangement, proportion and spatial flow.

click here

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Cohesion

Lesson 2

the unity and balance of various aspects of the interpretation.

Originality, clarity, interpretation and practicality of the director’s concept/vision
Sophisticated ability to imagine and integrate key dramatic and theatrical elements to create meaning for the audience
Effective use of theatrical elements and performance conventions
The different ways the script, the director, designers and performers contribute to the production
Establishing and maintaining a clear intention and an appropriate relationship with the audience in the context of the performance space
Demonstration of innovation, flair and integrity in the dramatic work
Effective use of the space in the context of the performance style

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Cohesion

Lesson 2

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Here the style, costumes, lighting, music, choreography, direction and acting work together to establish and maintain a strong creative choice.

QUESTION 1: In what ways was cohesion utilised (and was it successful?) in Malthouse's production of Importance of Being Earnest?

The Play that Goes Wrong

This clip is an example of how a total lack of cohesion can work for production. The acting does not match the scene, the actors at one point are not even on stage and yet the actress continues. But, the costumes, make-up and acting style all work towards the same goal of creating the ’worst theatre’ on purpose. From the opening speech, to the final moment when the set falls down we see every element working together to be totally non-cohesive (on purpose).

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Motion

Lesson 3

the movement or implied movement of actors and design features in the theatre space. This may include position, pattern, arrangement, proportion and spatial flow.

Movement and timing (blocking, choreography) appropriate to the creative vision, style or form
Spatial awareness and dynamics of actors (& inter-relationships between actors) in movement
Effective use of theatrical style performance conventions
Effective use of the space in the context of the performance style.
Use of movement elements to create dramatic meaning
Stage blocking or the movements of the actors onstage during performance; also refers to the action of the play as it moves from event to event.

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Motion

Lesson 3

I'm Not Running

This clip shows how subtle motion can showcase a characters feelings, also using contrast to highlight the difference between the characters.

QUESTION: What directorial decisions were utilised the element of motion in Malthouse’s production of Importance of Being Earnest (consider the blocking of the actors or the positioning, pattern, arrangement of design elements)?

Lazzi acrobazia cibo – Lazi Food Stunt

Here motion tells a number of stories. From the first moment with the entrance of the great animal, to small intimate moment with Jelly, the movement pattern and direction in the space is telling one story.

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Rhythm

Lesson 4

the pace, timing and tempo within the interpretation.

Duration and transitions of the scenes, the delivery of the dialogue by the actors and the emotional line of the script—including moments of dramatic tension.
Performance skills including vocal, movement and timing which may vary in their level of delivery in relation to control of:

vocal projection, clarity, tone, pitch, pace, dynamics
control, energy, spatial awareness and dynamics in movement
control of delivery, responses to cues and awareness of rhythms in timing

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Rhythm

Lesson 4

Tempest (Click on image above to VIDEO LINK)

Here the language is the focus of the clip. Actors and directors often use the public’s knowledge of the poetry and iambic pentameter to engage audiences. Here the actors play with pace, pause, timing and tempo to establish character, emotion and show contrast.

Hamlet

This clip is also a piece of Shakespeare, but is incredibly different. A modern interpretation where they use slow motion, pause, dialogue, actions, light and movement to tell a story. The interpretation of the scene clearly uses rhythm to create modern theatrical style.

QUESTION: In Malthouse's production of Importance of Being Earnest - how did the actors establish and maintain rhythm in their performances? (Consider duration and transitions of the scenes and roles, the delivery of the dialogue by the actors moments of dramatic tension. ?

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Emphasis

Lesson 5

aspects of the interpretation are given a particular focus, importance or prominence.

Effective interpretation of the play’s themes and intended meanings realised in a directorial concept/vision
Use of theatrical elements (performance and design) to enhance the dramatic action, mood and style
Level of belief/conviction/energy, complexity/dimension, focus and clarity in presentation (through both performance and design)
Application of complementary production techniques to enhance performance skills vocal, movement and timing
How are the play’s themes and intending meanings interpreted and realised through direction, acting and design?

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Emphasis

Lesson 5

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Every single moment of this clip is all about Jamie. Lighting, costume, position, choreography, direction and acting all place the focus on the protagonist. The list of ways they do this is very long.

The Audience

The emphasis here is very clearly on replicating real people; their idiosyncrasies and mannerisms. The relationships, tone and distance are formal as well, there is a focus on the interplay between the characters. The high roof, and decadent yet simple set also allows or the performances to be emphasised.

QUESTION: With an example from one character, evaluate how the actor utilised emphasis to enhance their performance (in Malthouse’ Importance of Being Earnest).

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Contrast

Lesson 6

juxtaposition of seemingly different or opposing aspects or qualities within the interpretation.

The use of conflict and variety of - sometimes opposing aspects - settings, the atmosphere or mood and the different personalities and values of the characters.
How different theatre practitioners used their expertise and imagination to highlight contrasts of the play in order to engage and impact the audience.
Use of tension, conflict and climax to convey dramatic meaning

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Contrast

Lesson 6

Fences

Note the contrast in movement between the characters. Their gestures, facial expression, movement and voices.

QUESTION: How was the element of contrast utilised in the production roles in Malthouse’s Importance of Being Earnest?

Wicked

This clip again show contrast between characters but the costume, direction and design are also contrasted. Ying and yang. Complete opposites.

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Variation

Lesson 7

changes to the dynamics of the interpretation, as may be evident in the use of tension, conflict, intensity, energy and use of the space.

Variation includes consistency and sustainability of theatrical elements in directorial vision, performance and design
Effective used of conflict, energy, intensity, tension (dramatic tension) and use of space to enhance and sustain emotion, mood and motivation
How different members of the creative team have harnessed variation to create atmosphere and mood, and convey meaning to the audience.

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Variation

Lesson 7

Cinderella

This excerpt constantly moves, from the shack, a pawper and a crone, to two glamorous women and a carriage, then to a ball with many moving performers. This is not just contrast, it is changing and varied throughout in a number of ways.

QUESTION: How effectively did the actors in Malthouse’s Importance of Being Earnest use variation (conflict, energy, intensity, tension and use of space) to craft and sustain their performance?

In The Heights

This clip (start 60 seconds in) shows how the different characters in this musical interact and engage with the world. We have a variety of character with different styles of singing, dancing and moving. The action changes when each person is given their time to shine.

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Analysing compositional elements in Importance of Being Earnest

Lesson 8

Describe three ways in which the compositional element of contrast is reflected in Malthouse’s set design?
Provide three examples of how Malthouse’s has used the compositional element of emphasis in the set design?
Provide three examples of how lighting is applied to give variation in the show?
Provide evidence from two scenes where lighting supports the cohesion of the play in performance?
Find three examples of moments in the show when the use of sound supported the motion of the play in performance - including analysis of how music was selected and applied by the sound realiser to support and convey the personalities of the major characters.
Evaluate the ways in which the sound design contributed to the rhythm of the play in performance.
How did Malthouse’s costume designs reflect the compositional element of emphasis?
Isolate two instances when the compositional element of contrast was applied to a character’s costume.

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Now to apply Compositional Elements into your Monologue

Lesson 9

SELECT

Select 2 elements you can specifically utilise to enhance your performance OR design presentation - best-suited:

Context
Character
Setting
YOUR performance OR design skills

UTILISE

Utilise your 2 element-choices to inform your decision-making with your:

acting/directorial choices and performance-skills in rehearsing

your production design and scripting

APPLY

Apply your 2 element-choices to inform your presentation of:

your production design presentation and Interpretation Statement

your production design presentation and Interpretation Statement

TASK: Go back, review each of the Compositional Elements and identify which 2 will BEST complement YOUR skills, and enhance the decision-making for your performance/presentation.