Playwrights and Practitioners
Independent Study
Task
Each student will choose either a theatre practitioner or playwright to study in depth. The student will do a
presentation for the class on their chosen individual. Students may choose from the list provided, or they may
have a personal choice approved by the teacher.
No two students can study the same dramatist. Topics will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. As
soon as you know which topic you want to explore, tell the teacher and it will become off limits to the rest of
the class.
Part 1 – Research
We will spend 2 days in the library researching our chosen dramatists. There are multiple sources within the
library and you can also use the databases. Use the graphic organizer provided to organize your ideas.
Part 2 – Conference
Students will demonstrate their research progress during a conference in which they will present their
information to the teacher in an informal but organized fashion. The student must demonstrate that they have
made a concerted effort to record information on each of the following topics:
-
-
The individual’s biographical background
The time of history in which they were working – influences, were they loved, hated, feared, etc.? Did
they break trends and traditions or not?
Their contributions to theatre
Their most famous work
o Playwrights – a play
o Practitioners – a movement, a technique
o Directors – a technique, a production
How has this individual influenced the modern theatre? Does their work still have value in today’s
society?
Ideas for a class activity which demonstrates the individual’s technique or style
Conference Due Date:
Part 3 – The Presentation
On the presentation day, the student will present the information about their playwright or practitioner in an
interesting, organized and creative way. Video clips, visuals and technology are tools you are encouraged to use
to aid understanding and interest. You will also lead the class in an activity that demonstrates the techniques and
practices for which your individual is known.
Your presentation should be approximately 10 minutes in length.
Presentation Due Date:
List of Recommended Playwrights and Practitioners
Theatre Practitioners
Playwrights
Constantin Stanislavski (The Method –
Bertold Brecht (alienation effect)
inside-out)
Samuel Beckett (absurdist)
Vsevolod Meyerhold (physical theatre,
Anton Chekhov (subtextual approach)
biomechanics, outside-in)
Moliere (French Neo-Classical comedy
Jerzy Grotowski (Poor theatre)
writer)
Antonin Artaud (Theatre of Cruelty –
David Mamet (Mamet-Speak – style of
similar to life, impact on the audience)
writing dialogue)
Augusto Boal (Theatre of the Opressed,
Sam Shepherd
forum theatre)
August Wilson (20th Century African-
Uta Hagen (famous actress, Respect for
American experience)
Acting, realism)
Loraine Hansberry (Civil Rights)
Dorothy Heathcote (drama teacher,
Edward Albee (modern, post-WW11,
teacher-in-role)
absurdist)
Viola Spolin (acting exercises and
Tennessee Williams (20th Century
techniques, improvisation)
American, isolation and violence)
Peter Brook (director)
Arthur Miller (20th Century, post WWII,
Julie Taymore (director)
family)
Harold Pinter (absurdist, pause)
Eugene Ionesco (absurdist)
Sharon Pollack (Canadian, history base)
Eugene O’Neill (tragedy)
Luigi Pirandello (absurdist)
Oscar Wilde (comedy)
Judith Thompson (Canadian)