Below is an example for a relatively frequent assignment in theatre classes, namely the review or production response to a performance. The first version was assigned in similar formats for courses of Introduction to the Theatre at Hunter College between 2014 and 2017. The second version includes improvements inspired by WAC pedagogy.
Original assignment
Production Response #1: A production of your choice
Due: Monday, September 29, 2016
Overall Goal: To analyze a production of your choice that demonstrates your thoughtful observations and careful evaluations of the production, supported by the theatre knowledge that you’ve gained from class.
- Specific Objectives: For this assignment, you are required to:
- Choose and attend a professionally produced production.
- Analyze three specific images of the world of the production.
- Produce a production response of 3-4 double-spaced pages in a coherent narrative.
III. Explanations
- Professionally produced productions: Check the class’s master Blackboard site for recommendations; consult with the section leader about the production you plan to attend.
- Three images of the production: These images could be, for example, a moment of acting, specific costume, set, or lighting designs, the spatial arrangement of theatre space, or any combination of these different aspects/components of the production that create specific images of the world of the production. Choose three that you found most interesting for discussion.
- A coherent narrative: Connect your discussions of the three images of the production. Propose a thesis at the beginning of the essay that provides an overview of your response. Conclude the response with a short summary of your thoughts.
- Format and Citation
- Title: ….
- Essay: 1 inch margins, double-spaced, 12 point font (suggestions).
- Ticket stub: …
- Citation: not required and should be kept to a minimum. If you cite, follow the MLA style.
- Submission: due Monday, September 29, 2014
Good luck writing the production response!
Updated assignment
The following WAC-updated version emphasizes a specific genre, the online review, which entails a limited length, a targeted audience, and a practical purpose. A reference website is provided for actual examples and, if handed out again, the assignment would have to include actual links to a small selection of current reviews that the instructor thinks would reflect the ideal format. This version also specifies in more detail what type of performance to see, and adds a rubric to alert students more explicitly about grading criteria.
THEA 10100 Intro to Theatre – Fall 2016
Review Response #1: Review a professional performance of your choice
Due: Monday, September 29, 2016
Live theatre
For this assignment, you are asked to choose and attend a professionally produced live theatre production (which excludes movies, recorded theatre, sports events, religious rites, or school and amateur productions, but includes musicals) seen after the start of the course. New York City offers a great variety of choices at any time. Please ask me if in doubt about a show you plan on attending.
Please attach the ticket stub or, if unavailable, the show’s original program (all will be returned).
I will not accept responses unaccompanied by either the ticket stub or the original program.
Genre: Theatre review
Imagine that the Chief Editor of an online theatre website has asked you to write a review of a show. Your ultimate task is to offer detailed reasons why a spectator should invest in seeing a production, or, instead, should not waste his/her time and money. If you check out http://www.theasy.com/ this website can give you many examples, although they will be more complex. Other examples can be found in the New York Times’s theatre section.
Aspects to include in your review
In order to review the show, you may focus on the most important image, experience, effect, surprise, character, or plot element that are worthy of attention. You can mention aspects of the acting, costumes, set, emotional activation of the audience, or peculiarities that make the production memorable or instead spoil its aspirations. You may have to report mixed impressions about elements that conflict with each other, and thus counterbalance your recommendation in one direction or another. In other words, pick elements that support your final recommendation, but be open to a more nuanced critique.
Length
Write a brief production response between 350 and 400 words. If your response is shorter than 350 or longer than 400 the editor cannot accept it as it doesn’t fit the online space allotted to your review.
The point here is to make every word count to catch the reader’s attention: look, for example, at the synthetic “bottom line” section of reviews on www.theasy.com
Format
- Title: ….
- Essay: 1 inch margins, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font (this text is formatted in the correct font and spacing, so you can delete this whole text and use the file for your assignment).
Please make sure to adhere to the rules of standard written English.
If you are a non-native speaker, make the extra effort and write well in advance so you have time to carefully review your work.
Grading rubric (100 points)
- Does the review give a clear recommendation to the audience to see or avoid the show, supported by at least three compelling reasons? (40 points)
- Is the review written in an easily understandable, fluid style that catches the reader’s attention and sustains it through clarity of exposition? (40 points)
- Does the review respect the assigned length and formatting? (10 points)
- Is the review’s copy ready for publication without mechanical errors? (10 points)
Good luck writing the production response!
