Play Assignment #3 - Production Review
Please read ALL these directions very carefully before you reach out to me with questions.
Step One: Choose what you are going to watch.
Please note that you are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to see a live in-person theatre
production for this assignment.
The preferred show for this course is GSU’s production of SHE KILLS MONSTERS. If
this is not a reasonable option for you because of location or schedule, I’m happy to help
you find a show near you that occurs at an accessible time. Again, seeing a live, in-person,
theatre production is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.
As a last resort, if you are truly limited due to location, health concerns, or transportation,
you may view a recorded production. This may not be a movie remake of a stage play, an
amateur production or a one-act. For example, IN THE HEIGHTS, would not qualify because it
is a movie remake of a stage production, like the movie adaptation of FENCES we watched for
Play Assignment #1. However, HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL (on Disney+) would
qualify because it is a filmed stage production. Here is a link for the Hamilton trailer.
There are numerous streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, IMDBtv, Disney+,
Broadway on Demand, Digital Theatre, Broadway HD, On The Boards TV, etc. that offer full
theatrical productions and there are many theatre companies currently streaming their
performances. Companies to look up include: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre - London, American
Conservatory Theatre - San Francisco, The Old Globe - San Diego, Berkeley Repertory Theatre Berkeley, Oregon Shakespeare Festival -Ashland, Alliance Theatre - Atlanta. Also, playbill.com
has links to several New York-based companies that are also streaming productions. Some of
these companies offer student discounts for their streaming fee.
If you have any questions about whether or not a specific production meets the requirements,
send me an email and I’ll be happy to clarify. Don’t just guess, or you could end up getting a
zero on the assignment.
Step Two: Watch the production and take notes.
Before you watch the production look over the guidelines for the written review and start
thinking about elements on which you want to focus. This will help you know what notes to take.
If you are seeing a live in-person production, Do NOT take notes during the performance, that
would be rude. However, I recommend that you jot down some notes during intermission and
immediately following the production. Also, please be sure you are an excellent audience
member. This means the following:
 Arrive to the theatre early on the day you’re scheduled to see the performance. It is
recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the show is set to begin.
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Remember that this is a live performance, so how you behave will impact the actors.
Please pay attention to the production, do not talk during the performance, or unwrap
candy, or get up to go to the lobby.
Do respond appropriately throughout the show. Actors will appreciate your laughter and
applause.
Turn your cell phone completely off. It is very disturbing to both fellow audience
members and performers onstage to see your glowing screen or hear your ring tone
during a performance.
If you are watching something via streaming, set aside the needed time to watch the full
production in one sitting. This review will be much easier to write if you watch the whole show
at once and take some notes as you watch. Before you watch your show, look over the guidelines
for the written review and start thinking about elements on which you want to focus. This will
help you know what notes to take.
Step Three: Write your review.
In a well written, multi-paragraph essay format, each student will review a full professional
production. Your review should be between 500-800 words.
Review Requirements:
 Introduce the name of the play, author, place of performance, date of performance,
director and (if streaming) a link to where you watched it. In a few sentences talk
about the basic theme of the play and discuss the general plot.
 Select ANY THREE (3) of the following topics to include in your review:
o Acting: Is the acting convincing? Who was your favorite actor? Why?
What specific things did the actors do that made their performance
effective/ineffective? Could anything be improved upon? (Avoid
sentences like, “The main character’s acting was bad.” Instead try, “The
main character was not very convincing because he spoke monotonously
and his lines weren’t memorized”)
o Costumes/Make-up: Describe them. What was interesting? How did they
help you understand the characters? Where they appropriate for the period
of the play?
o Set Design: What did the set look like? What kind of space was it?
(Proscenium, black box, etc.) Describe the space. Did the set help the play
or distract? e. Were there many set changes? What did you like/dislike
about the set?
o Lighting Design: What did you notice about the lighting? Did the lights
help the mood? In what way? Were the lights distracting or helpful? In
what way?
o Sound Design: What did you notice about the sound? What did the sound
design tell you about the play? Were there sound effects or music? Did the
sound help or distract from the performance?
o Directing: What was your opinion of the overall experience? Did all the
elements work together? Do you feel as though the entire production
worked together to convey the playwright’s message? Did the production
accomplish what it set out to do? Entertain, inform, inspire?
 The paper ends with a summary or concluding paragraph. What was your
opinion of the production? What did you think it was about? Would you recommend this
production? Why or why not?
DO:
1. Back up all your opinions with valid reasons.
2. Be objective, fair and constructive. Indicate good points along with those you felt needed
improvement.
3. Be sincere. Believe what you say.
4. Use MLA Format for your heading and margins. Please double space and use a 12 point font.
5. Go back and review information you’ve learned this semester about the specifics of acting,
design and directing.
DON'T:
1. Don’t be overly critical. Approach a performance with an attitude of enjoying it.
2. Don’t be arrogant. Be humble, kind, and remember the challenges of doing live theatre.
3. Don’t write a paper that is just answering the questions, they are provided to help you think
about the specific topic.
4. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions.