Introduction

to:

with

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Professor Your Name

3 Actor’s Tools

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2 Promotional Materials for Actors

Internal v. External Acting Approaches

Auditions

David Henry Hwang:

“There’s no formula for how to write a good play. Nobody knows what’s going to be successful, even if you define success commercially, artistically. So, you therefore have to fall back on writing what you’re really interested in, what you really believe in, and that makes the plays unique and idiosyncratic. And paradoxically, if you don’t think about trying to be successful, your play is more likely to be a success!”

Choose a Genre

• Farce
• Comedy
• Tragicomedy
• Drama
• Tragedy
• Mixed Forms

Framework of Reference

Characterization

Elements of Plot

• Characters
• Central Problems
• Conflict & Resolution
• Protagonist against another person
• Protagonist against self
• Protagonist against society
• Protagonist against the forces of nature

Elements of Plot

The Real Inspector Hound

Introduce the Conflict

Climax

Resolution

Dialog

Mini Play: Zoom Call

Rebecca - Title: Trip to the Bank

Vlad: Hi Mom, What’s up?

Mom: Hello dear. Just checking that you are on your way to the bank.

Vlad: I’m heading there now!

Mom: Be careful now, and make sure nobody sees you.

Vlad: I paid off the security guard. Besides, who’s going to see me at three in the morning?

Mom: It’s getting close to sunrise. Are you sure you can make it in time?

Vlad: Yeah, I’m almost to the bank now. You want type A, right?

Mom: Yes, and O-negative, if they have it.

Vlad: Great. Leave a coffin open for me, and I’ll be home soon. Love you!

Mom: Love you too.

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Samantha - The Bomb!

Mark: Did you blow it up already?

John: Not yet.

Mark: Where are you right now?

John: About to walk in.

Mark: Did you think this through?

John: yes, I have to go right now! I’ll call you when I get back to the station.

Mark: Wait, What if someone sees you?

John: They won’t. I’ll be in and out.

Mark: Don’t leave behind any evidence.

John: I won’t.

Mark: Okay make sure you flush twice and spray behind you.

John: I got this! The boss will never know I used his bathroom

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Francoise - The Aisle:

*phone rings*

Dana: *picks up phone* Hello

Junel: Girl guess what I’m finally walking down the aisle next month. You coming right?

Dana: Wait what? Already! Don't you think it's too soon?

Junel: No! You knew I been planning this for months.

Dana: I think you need to think this through.

Junel: What is there to think about I finally made my decision.

Dana: I guess. I still think this is rush.

Junel: How we always go away around this time.

Dana:Wait what are you talking about?

Junel: We walking down the plane aisle duh. Wait you thought I was getting married to him.*laughing hysterically*

Dana: Bye Junel. I don’t have time for this foolishness.* proceeds to hang up*

Junel: *shouts* WAIT! *thinking to herself*Did she really just hang up on me?

Dana:*talking to herself* she couldn't just say that we was going on vacation.

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Mini Play: Zoom Call

1. Think of a scenario that can be communicated largely through exposition of two people talking on the phone.
2. Decide on your characters.
3. Craft a short scene with 10+ lines of dialogue. The two characters should alternate speaking, and their names should be bold to make it easier to see them.
4. Give your mini play a title at the top.

**Due by...

Review:

• Protagonist against another person
• Protagonist against self
• Protagonist against society
• Protagonist against the forces of nature

HW:

Digital Theatre+ Options

Mind the Gap (1:09) - three people are trapped in a subway station underground in London

The Woodsman (1:12) - musical. The story of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz

Pipeline (1:26) - an African-American woman fights for her son’s future

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (1:24) - Australian comedy where a young mother is interrogated by government officials.