Acting
Final Exam-Fall 2005
This exam is an open book, take home exam based on our textbook, class discussions, handouts, video presentations,
and live theater events. Please answer the questions as completely as possible, using what you have learned combined
with your own unique observations about each question. Please number which question you are answering. HINT: In
questions involving "critical reviews", describe the story or plot details only necessary to make your point. Do not
just retell the story in your answer - I know it already anyway - but answer each part of the question.
ANSWER FOUR QUESTIONS TOTAL IN THE SECTIONS AS DIRECTED
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION I
DETAILED ESSAY (30pts)
ANWSER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:
(1)
Much or our textbook, Acting is Believing is based on the work of Constantin Stanslavski,
who pioneered a systematic method for acting. Describe the details of the “Stanislavski Method” based on out
textbook, handouts, class discussion, and other outside source materials. Contrast and compare this method to the
“theatrical style” of acting.
______________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION II
SHORT ESSAY (20pts each)
ANWSER TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
(2)
Describe the differences between the three major types of characters: extraordinary, representative
(quintessential), and stock characters. What are the protagonist and the antagonist, and how are they used in the
dramatic structure by the playwright?
(3)
Identify the protagonist and antagonist in Pippin. What is the theme of this musical? In some productions of
Pippin, a woman plays the Leading Player. How, if at all, does this affect the relationships between the characters,
and the theme or the plot? What role did music and dance play in this production? What type (or style) of musical
does Pippin represent?
(4)
What are the three major types of theater spaces? Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type
for the audience, performers, and the director.
(5)
As an actor approaches a character role and a script, what approach should that actor use to systematically
begin an analysis of the script and the character?
______________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION III
DETAILED ESSAY (30pts)
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:
(6)
What are essentials of dramatic structure? Discuss briefly the various genres of theater. What are the
Structural Conventions or rules (of tools) used by dramatists and playwrights, and what are the three elements they
use to create a dramatic story structure? Compare and contrast Climatic and Episodic structure and briefly discuss
other dramatic structures used in theater, describing at least three of the characteristics used in each form.
______________________________________________________________________________________
BONUS (10pts)
Create a resume of you own theatrical (acting) experience following the format in the textbook and as discussed in class.
(Typed or printed only)
Exam is due on or before Monday, December 5th, by 7pm at MHS Theater or by email with confirmed receipt.
GOOD LUCK!