Northern State University
Speech Communication
Concepts Addressed:
Play Production including dramatic theory and criticism, acting, directing, design and construction,
theatre management, safety rules, budgeting, adapting to community standards and the use of school
time, buildings and monies
For information on theatre forms, styles, genres and aesthetic principles, students should refer to
Theatre: Brief Edition by Robert Cohen, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2005, Chapter 2 "What is a Play?"
For information on acting, voice and movement and creating a character, students should refer to
Acting is Believing by Charles McGraw, Larry D. Clark and Kenneth Stilson, 8th edition, ThomsonWadsworth, 2004, Chapters 2-12
For information on directing, play selection and analysis, casting and rehearsals, students should
refer to Play Directing by Francis Hodge and Michael McLain, 6th edition, Pearson, 2005, Chapters
3-6 and Scene Practice-Major Project 1-A
For information on design, construction, scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costume, makeup and
safety rules, students should refer to Theatrical Design and Production: An Introduction to Scene
Design and Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costume, and Makeup (5th edition) by 1. Michael
Gillette, McGraw-Hill. 2004
For information on budgeting, rehearsal schedules, working with actors and production management,
students should refer to Rehearsal Management for Directors by David Alberts, Heinemann, 1995
Specifically Students Should Review:
Dramatic Theory and Criticism:
The Characteristics of Tragedy and Comedy
The Significance and Sequence of Aristotle's Six Elements of Drama
The Elements of a Play:
Exposition
Inciting Incident
Climax
Denouement
The Role of the Protagonist and Antagonist in a Play
Mixed Genres of Plays:
Development of this review sheet was made possible by funding from the US Department of Education
through South Dakota’s EveryTeacher Teacher Quality Enhancement grant.
Tragic Comedy
Dark Comedy
Melodrama
Farce
Musical Comedy
How to Evaluate the Quality of a Viewed Production
Acting:
How to Create a Physical Score of Action
The Significance and Sequence of Physical and Vocal Warm-ups
How to Create a Character Analysis
How to Find the Character's Objective and Super-objective
How to Divide the Lines into Beats and Assign Intentions to Them
How to Play the Subtext
How to Use Physical Gesture to Reveal Character
The Difference between Presentational and Representational Acting
Directing:
The Elements of Play Analysis:
Given Circumstances and Dialogue
Dramatic Action and Characters
Idea and Rhythmic Beats
How to Select a Play for Production:
Availability
Acting pool
Community Sensibilities and Standards
Facilities
Budget
Performance Dates
How to Create a Rehearsal Schedule:
The Importance of the Promptbook and Pre-planning:
Staging the Play with Actors:
Communication Skills
Composition
Picturization
Movement
Development of this review sheet was made possible by funding from the US Department of Education
through South Dakota’s EveryTeacher Teacher Quality Enhancement grant.
Design and Construction:
Production Organization
The Stage and its Equipment
The Principles of Scene Design
Scenic Tools and Materials
Scenery:
Drops
Flats
Doors and Window Units
Platforms and Steps
Joining Flats
Painting the Set
Assembling and Bracing the Set|
Shifting the Set
Properties
Function and Qualities of Light
The Principles of Light Design:
Lighting Instruments
Lighting Control Systems
The Uses of Sounds
Safety Rules:
Power Tools
Electricity
Set Construction
Development of this review sheet was made possible by funding from the US Department of Education
through South Dakota’s EveryTeacher Teacher Quality Enhancement grant.