Elements of Literature/Performance Discussed in Weeks 1 and 2 (for all who added late)

In weeks 1-2, we discussed how to read a play, some critical elements to successful performance, and the differences between plays and novels. If you weren't here, hadn't added the class yet, or didn't take notes, I am summarizing that material in this post. I will normally expect you to take notes or get notes from someone in class, but since it is the beginning of the year, here is some assistance so you are not feeling lost.

Under "topics" on the portal page for this class, click on "How To Read a Play" and there you will find some useful information:

1. A link to info on Stage Layout and proper terminology used on stage [Ex: Stage Left (SL) is left from the actor's perspective, facing out into the audience.] Actors use these terms and abbreviations when writing blocking into their performers' scripts. The IB also expects students to use this terminology when writing papers or taking exams in this course, so be sure to familiarize yourself with this link.

2. A link to a glossary of other important terms. Browse this to see if there are words you do not recognize, but also use it as a resource if you read or hear a word used that you do not understand.

We also discussed some other important terms:

1. projection -- the need to talk loudly on stage; using an actor's voice in order to project your voice to the back of the audience; use your diaphragm to get enough air to be loud, but never scream

2. enunciation, articulation, and good diction -- the need to speak clearly (and slowly) on stage and pronounce each letter in each word so the audience can easily understand what you are saying

3. body language and facial expressions -- so important to help conveying the emotions of a scene, in addition to reading lines

4. reacting -- just as important as acting (saying lines) is listening to others and reacting to their lines

5. cheat out/fan out -- the need to face toward the audience on stage (try not to turn your back to the audience so they can see and hear you better

6. upstaging another actor -- try to position yourself so that you are not blocking the audience fro seeing another actor; also do not try to overact and call attention to yourself and away from other actors

7. monologue -- solo speaking on stage

8. dialogue -- speaking with others on stage

9. stage directions -- info in parentheses or italics which tells actors about movement, etc that should happen while lines are delivered

10. motivation -- the reasons behind why characters are saying and doing what they are doing -- so important to understanding characters

When reading a play, it is important to visualize the setting on the stage: scenery, set deisgn, backdrop, props, costumes, lighting, and sound. Scripts are mainly comprised of the dialogue spoken by each character without a lot of other description, so readers need to fill that in mentally as they read. When reading a novel, the author puts a lot of description into the prose, so that is why novels are generally longer than plays. Plays are made up of Acts and Scenes whereas novels are written in Chapters and Paragraphs. An adaptation of a novel into a play makes decisions about what to cut, change, or simplify in order to stage it live. A playwright who adapts a novel generally needs to get permission to make such changes, just like a director of a film adaptation usually does. Both plays and novels involve characters who confront some kind of conflict, go on a journey, and usually experience some sort of change. As the year progresses, we will apply these basic concepts to both plays and novels.