Performance Guidelines
(Based on the class given by N.J. Stanley)
Method, part 1: trying to think through the given circumstances
Who: who are these characters?
[male/female, young/old, rich/poor, dogmatic/tractable, arrogant/humble, quick to anger
or not, etc.]
What: contents: what's the scene about (usually more than one thing!)
Where: inside/outside? city/country?
When: time of day, time of year?
Why: what do the characters want? what is their motivation? objective(s)?
Method, part 2: trying to think through the rhythm of the scene
All scenes are punctuated by "beats", and you must first chart out when you plan to
change tones
[for example, from spittingly angry to introspective, from curious to wheedling, from
passionate to sad]
"beat" = smallest unit of dramatic action
Method, part 3: trying to make this Greek tragedy
On "top of" the scene as conceived in modern performance, add the "overlayer" of
BIGNESS:
large gestures, big voices, sweeping movements
[This part not presented in the class.]
Strongly suggested: memorize, if not the whole of your part for the scene, at least those
parts that require action or rapid back and forth dialogue
Performance Competition
First Competition: Friday, April 16
Group #1:
Brian Hagerty, Karen Haight, Christie Wolfgang
Group #2:
First Prize! Laura Cardinal, Kathy Chevalier, Jessica Rennie First Prize!
Group #3:
Joseph Cherubim, Mike Donati, Rachel English
Performance Competition
Second Competition: Friday, April 23
Group #1:
First Prize! Dan Fisher, Michelle Fornarotto, Karen Seaver First Prize!
Group #2:
Costa Kalorides, Elizabeth Rockwell, Ben Wullschlager
Group #3:
Elise Citrin, Mark Crawshaw, Nicholynn Keefer
Final Performan: Monday, April 26
Chris Bouchoux, Chris Evans, Miranda Kolbe