Audience Actors : Designers

1. Playwright

2. Director

3. Producer 4.

*****PLAYWRIGHT is the only way to spell it. ON THE EXAM ********** -Every moment is a choice made by someone -A play is a sequence of human events that carry human attention and behavior (structure). A playwright almost never directs their own play, because they only see a play in one direction. The director can introduce a new view on a play. -Designers take care of the set, lighting, costume, and sound (environment) -Lighting design has grown tremendously. It used to be based on the sun alone. -Sound has become an increasingly vast setting! Sound used to be rudimentary cues. Now we are in a sophisticated medium for underlying support (rhythm, beat) ****Who is the boss, the director or the producer???***** -Very complex. The producer can fire the director, but will not, typically, because the producer wants the best possible play. -purpose = leading the show to success FILM -takes actor exactly where they want them to go -not limited to a particular space -same every time. Films do not change. -director gives up more power. They hand their work to the editor. THEATER -limited to length and width of stage -director uses technique to create a specific focus on a spot on stage -each show is different from the last. No productions are exactly the same -challenge: to display immediacy of what is happening -director is responsible for all decisions

-What do we have now that is the earliest tangible thing that is evidence of theater as we have defined it? *Cave paintings. They represent figures that show that there was storytelling going on. (storytellers and listeners) -Theater is defined as something that has an audience and a storyteller -3 categories that describe theater: entertainment, education, enlightenment

-The arts take us beyond the means of survival. The arts have a high sense of spirituality of emotion that portrays the way one feels -Storytelling was used to keep knowledge alive. The information started to get passed down sharing the experiences they had long ago. -The arts often play a major role in times of depression and difficulty. Arts were used as an escape method out of everyday life and into the world of someone else. -Enlightenment (from above list) is the most interesting because it puts us in a place of inquiry of the world larger than ours. -Education (from above list) is the passing of knowledge. -Acting is a natural part of human existence (1st date, job interview, etc.) ***Theater is an action. Not a location ****** Example: fireworks is a show. There is no particular location. The theater, the action is the fireworks itself. -Theater is a sacred space. We must give it our full commitment and courtesy. We become suspended into this world. (absorption and suspension). Theater is a shared experience. -Theater is an event that requires an actor/audience relation/agreement in a momentary suspension of disbelief of an imaginary circumstance. You chose to believe it. It is unbelievable if you choose not to believe it. -Theater derives from the Greek. (Teatron or Theatron) a word for seeing plays. It describes semi-circular benches in Ancient Greece. THEATER = proper spelling The Actor -The arts takes us away from life gives us perspective -Many parents would dislike their child being an actor because it is unpredictable and they think of it in regards to wealth and unpredictability. Characteristics of an actor: determination, charisma, good looks, talent, ability to take rejection, passion, resistance, energy-filled, swagger -Success of an actor can be defined 2 ways: Talent and Chutzpah (pronounced hutzpah - stubbornness, passion, strength, drive, determination) -Chutzpah means having strength despite what others say in the real world as criticism. -Actors also need talent, be cause marketing yourself is not enough -Training is essential actors make it look easy, but really actors must be

trained. Their job is very complicated and complex -Audition : the option to present oneself in the appropriate manner

-For an actor: *Prepared section of text monologue. Memorization is the easiest thing an actor has to do most common skill. There is a whole process that actors go through beyond reading the script because they bring text to life. Goal is to create compelling behavior *You also market yourself accordingly for comedy and tragedy to show that particular side of you that goes with the specific role -Actors will present a monologue (solo speaking piece). Pick a monologue that will show something about you that has a connection to the play the director can see. -Actors need to be able to take rejection. Sometimes they just dont fit the part. -There are opportunities you can create by being you -Soliloquy: inner thoughts. It is ones inner thoughts being spoken aloud on stage. Occurs when a character is alone -Monologue: solo speaking piece. An actor talks to others on stage by him/herself for an extended period of time -Casting agent picks people (actors) to narrow down auditions for the director. He picks people he thinks will fit the part -Sections of the script from the play being passed = SIDES -Cold Readings: When you are given no time to prepare for an audition. Shows where your instincts are, and if you have the technique and knowledge to make choices. If the actor does this well, the director will be impressed and could even have the actor change their perspective. -Director questions if actor has a solid foundation and if he/she can behave in any environment. Can the actor make a choice? -Unions: you have a good shot at getting a job *Actors Equity Association: for actors on stage. LIVE PERFORMANCES EQUITY = LIVE PERFORMANCE!!!!!!! -Once you are in an equity union, you can only do Equity shows. You cant be part of non-equity shows. However, non-equity shows do not pay well most of the time and do not have the best working conditions.

-Equity productions have strict rules (ex: 10 min. break every 50 minutes). The stage manager will make sure the director abides by the rules. -People in equity must pay union dues -Contracts have been created recently that allow equity members to participate in non-equity performances -Mixed cast up to 49% of cast can be considered non-equity: may be a mix of union and non-union members -Regularly working actor on Broadway makes about $40,000 a year Tools of an Actor: headshot and resume -Resume: limited to one page. Very factual with little description -Things to put on resume: *What role, what play, where? *What special skills can you do with your voice? *If you can sing, what is your range? *How much training did you have? -Dance is important. Even if the role doesnt dance, the moves in general are graceful and elegant. Dancers are also familiar with performing on stage. -Comedic plays Actors should be able to make the audience laugh (funny) -Actors should not over-advertise themselves. Dont overstate, because people count on the abilities you say you have -Questions director may ask actor that are not asked at most jobs: *Measurements: height and weight *How comfortable are you with nudity (some roles require nudity) *Ethnicity / Ethnic Range -Principal character is on stage at least 90% of the time. The actor must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable to carry a main role. -It is easier to cast a younger person in film because you can have multiple takes. You can use things outside of the production to add to the acting. You cant do that in theater. -Age discrimination exists! -Commercial head shots see you, not just read about dimensions. -Difference between Actor and Candid Shots: The actor needs to look

real. No airbrushing! The headshot needs to show the actor in their natural form and represent them accurately. The photo is simply shown for how he or she is. IF an actor sends a headshot that does not accurately depict them, the director will not be happy and may not cast them. -Training: Specific type of training Theater is an art form, therefore, there is no specific type. -Meisner Technique: more widely accepted training technique. Trains you for realism. A 3-year program (very broad strokes) happens for the rest of your life. It doesnt stop after 3 year mark is over.

BILL BAUERS : GUEST SPEAKER -Rutgers Grad -Hes an actor and a mime -What is a mime? It is a silent actor that makes representations of reality. Use the body to speak. No props (only illusion of props). -Pantomime: telling story without words only body -Mime is being a collector of images -He grew up in Montana with 6 brothers and sisters -He grew up gay and is still homosexual -Became interested in High School in silent acting when his teacher told him to do book report on pantomime -Also writes plays and has a part as a mime in the movie 2 weeks notice -Charlie Chaplin is his inspiration they have the same birthday -Acted out a piece he wrote Silver Dollar Saloon music played and he mimed (much like Chaplin) he played a cowboy in a bar who liked a girl. Her husband gets mad at him. He accidentally shoots the husband. He felt bad but everyone felt good about it. He leaves at the end. -Miming story gets painted by audience (no props he acts but pantomime requires audience to suspend disbelief and to come with actor to tell the story). -Mimes wear white face as mask to project expression. Black highlights features better. -Theater history: miming was most popular during roman period Tableau vivant (living period). So nobles would use mimes to support their political stances to communicate message to people especially because people are illiterate at this time.

-Pantomime- At the time the acts that occurred in between chariot races had to be realistic usually sexual or violent. This sold a lot of tickets. They would happen for real someone would really be killed or have to do this. So mimes had to travel from town to town to avoid legal trouble much improv art of comedy would paint faces white then too. -He performed in mall windows as statues silent mover -Worked on Broadway (Zazu in Lion King) as an actor around us but then as a job went to miming because he found its not common in the United States. More in other countries, so he worked as a French mime and wrote solo plays. -Also performed a prayer for the boy based on the murder of Matthew Shephard. A friend wrote a poem and another friend made a song and he mimed it. He played the boy who fell off his bike and was attacked. ***Exam questions will be factual from play**** -Dont need to memorize character names. You can ask during the exam -Dont need to memorize biographies of actors. -Anything in the program that has to do with the directors note or anything relating to the play (program) or time period of the play is fair game for the exam -In Aurielas Oratorio, look at the 2nd page of the program. There are pictures. A question about them is on the test. -No questions about the theme of the play -Exam will be multiple choice -Bill Bowers: mime! Tells a personal story (silent acting) became a passon for him. He said: You can never take a sound back. Once something leaves your mouth, it is out there and not coming back. His website is linked to rutix.com. -Aurielas Oratorio: Seems as though you are watching an illusion or a dream. Magical element. Similar to Disneys Fantasia. Shouldnt sit there and try to figure it out should just experience and enjoy it. There is no true plot line. It has small subliminal messages. It started off stronger than it finished. There is a strong temptation to figure-it-out. Very few words at all. The main character created the piece. A lot of special skills are required to be in the play. Amazing stage presence. The puppets were very creepy. They were controlling her, rather than her controlling them. -Tablework: when everyone brings out research. The actors do the research on the character they will be playing. It is different for each actor. (How much work you want to do for yourself). (The actor brings what he or she wants to the table).

-How we take the text and best tell the story taking our technique -Should allow yourself to observe it from the outside and watch how the people live -Sometimes the audience is left in question -The play has a sharp edge and the periphery has a cleaner look -Director has many choices as to what he/she does with the actors -Everything you are seeing is a cue to the puzzle -As much as things change they also stay the same -Responsibility of director is to make the play good. It does require an effort -The woman shaking things and jumping in the beginning gave us the wrong impression of time period. The behavior was very odd. She was chasing away crows -Repetitive in the beginning. It felt like forever, but nothing was happening. -The beginning of the show seemed as if they were stalling. (half an hour of procrastinating before the show) -Asking the audience to work. Impacting tempo of the piece and the mood of the piece now feels heavy -Just when we think something is getting better, look what happened -You have a reaction to what you see -Your opinion can change what you attach to it can change your point of view -Exposition: Facts about the world of the play and the characters. Background of the play. Found mostly in the beginning of the play. -Mastery of storytelling: Information occurs so naturally. We are barely aware we are given facts the storytelling comes naturally -When writing a play, you can take your time crafting the script -Take in the first 15 minutes to totally understand the playwright. The playwright has sweated over every syllable: nothing is arbitrated, nothing is taken for granted -Subtext: underlying meaning of a line -Every moment, every action has been thought out -Your experience can be enhanced if you make yourself a part of it -Emotionally open

-3 distinct components of Actors instrument: voice, body, and emotional life -Each part needs to be developed -Voice: To speak and be understood without any sense of contrivance (Trying to sound natural). Must know how to increase the volume (project). Range and tone: we discover the capability of nuanced expression. Process of breathing. Richness and clarity of voice is important. Bring artistry of point of view to a nuance. Always have a limited number of notes to play (fundamental). -Body: Develop the body must be physically fit. Utilize the frame to impact and convey age, youth, character type, etc. How to create the receptacle for the life you are trying to create. Moment of extreme emotion: something happens physically correction = natural response. Body reserves, protects, moves blood to vital organs, etc. More interesting to watch when actor can project their emotions with their body. -Emotional Life: Sustainably involved: speaking ability involved. Film: easier than theater. Recapturing the moment Meisner Technique: Goal 1: to develop a sense of truthful doing. Getting a sense of trust that it works. Start to use simple words with a significant meaning. Indicating: falsely demonstrating pretending, the opposite of truthful doing. Goal 2: Learn to react on a moment to moment basis. Opposite of this is called anticipating. -Repetition exercise: designed to give actor a sense of openness improvisation without having to be clever with words. Can work off of other actors. Cleverness with words goes away. Some phrase gets repeated back and forth. Entire focus and attention goes to other actor: connection. Be open to what is happening around you. Foundation on which everything is built. -Purpose of repition activity is to take away the need to be clever. Improvisation not needed. -New Rule: You are now allowed to change the line if you feel it is necessary. This will cause either an organic shift or a change for the sake of change. -Organic Shift: Naturally occurring. A new line that came out of what was happening. Not going out of your way to make conversation. WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN -Change for the sake of change: Not very into the activity. Conversation is not good. Line is changing because of boredom or lack or creativity -It should feel like a conversation eventually, with some repetition sprinkled in. When in doubt, repeat!!!

-Emotional sparring (laughing, loving, fighting, grieving, etc.) emotion -A new concept is added in the middle. Independent Activity. A physical task that can be accomplished with the materials at hand. to fix a broken coffee mug common example. You would need glue, duct tape, nail polish remover , tape, tweezers, paper towels, etc. IF you need it bring it! As you move forward, there is an element of higher stakes. -It would be unhelpful to actors to have a book of activities because its not their own ideas, not their passion, they dont have an emotional connection then. Actors need to have a clear pathway to imagination -Use your imagination to day-dream come to life come with a point of view. Your activity should reflect you ****Sparring with your partner is KEY!!!!!!******** -Its about the journey. As you get further along, you start including circumstances that involve both of you. Shared Circumstances: you both know your relationship in advance. (brother and sister, husband and wife, etc.) So you know how you are going to play the particular role you were assigned. Location is another possible shared circumstance. The goal is not writing a scene, but inevitably it happens. 2nd year of work: Start to add structure (script). At this point and for the next 6 months, everything you add is a restraint. It prevents the actors from putting in all of their innovative skills. Scenes are very simple at first. Speak in public in a way that doesnt draw attention to either one of you. This allows the actors to feel the characters they are playing in a natural way. This is called conversational reality. As scenes keep coming they get more and more complex! Take the text and respond to it as you truthfully. The Character is missing. When you are in character, you are not accountable for your actions. ***You improve your opportunity of understanding by dwelling in the question: What was the purpose of this? What did the playwright want me to learn, experience, etc. -What does it mean to be a citizen of a country where the power shifts and you can no longer point a finger to blame on anyone but yourself? Question in the beginning of the play -A year later after formulating this question, they went to the laboratory and explored the nature of the change -What happens to ordinary people when a wave of change occurs -South Africa was going to hold the 2010 World Cup -South Africa had gone through an enormous change. Nelson Mandela to new presidency. Where does the country go from there? We better show the world that we are together and we are focused because the whole world is

watching. -Some of the play was real (realistic) while some was smoke in mirrors -Did the play help the country? Who gets to live in the changed world and who is left behind? -Successfully exploring the question is key! -9/11 changed so much for us, and our place ad how we chose to deal with that -Politically correct terminology -We focus on labels it will all go away -Humor is a good tactic to use we laugh at the absurdity of discrimination -The playwright made some mistakes. The set was designed by 3 people -There was a big backdrop in the middle -Anger was exchanged by the son and the father. The son was angry because he fought for liberation and was left behind. What has the father done to earn the anger? Shoes crippled the father. **Feeling the earth expression, freedom removal of the shoes. An illusion created by the ancestors took an opportunity to teach them a lesson. -Not very clear too many things going on. The play is saying too much -Carefully crafted ideas being spoken -If you have 2 articulate speakers, you can get lost because you dont know who to agree with -Metaphor of train itself (wealthy and poor classes) There is something called The Great Divergent increasing gap between the wealthy and poor classes. Id you look at history of strong civilizations, as the gap gets too wide, it collapses itself. Between the 1920s and 1979, the gap was getting closer and the Middle Class was able to support itself. Since the 80s the gap broadened and now the middle class needs 2 salaries to pay the bills. This play was speaking to that as well. The Actor : Continued -The plays become more and more complex. The character becomes unlike you -3rd year of Meisner Technique: Style. -Style: the individualization of the act form. What does it evoke for us? -10 minute play: can stand on its own

-Short Scene: not a story, just a scene ***Style is crucial for the development of the play -You almost learn more from your failures than your successors -Must be available for more difficult work in 3rd year actors -Style work incorporates understanding of different time periods, physical attributes, men are made to be aware of how to stand (one foot out because you show off your calf muscle) -The way you present yourself shows the audience who you are depict an image of yourself -How you can interact on a class level must be learned prior! So when you get to the actual play you have the technique -Acting is a profession you never stop training in! -Similarity in the essence of the answer *** This is the true joy in life George Bernard Shaw The only person you have to pursue in life is you. Whatever happens during the time I am here, I want to make sure I do the best possible things before I pass away. What the original quote is saying -Zorba responded to the quote: You lack madness, but have everything else. Nikos Kazanzakis You could always find people who were behaving madly Circle Mirror Transformation discussion -The most understandable play ~ not confusing -You can relate to the characters -Well put together (set, direction) -Acting exercises revealed peoples life stories -Told a simpler story and told it well -All we (audience) got to see of the character is what they saw of each other -Isolation of set showed movement and passing of time -Each movement was captured in spotlight (every emotion was captured) -Some relationships werent realistic (Scholtz) -Sometimes creepy when the lights were turned off -Audience must remember (know) how much time has passed b/w blackouts

-Puzzling when characters tell secrets you have to figure it out *Mancuso had a negative opinion about the play. He didnt really like the direction. It was like the acting class transformed into a therapy session. Tedious experience* -Not sure what you were supposed to walk away thinking -Does not leave you wondering about the play. Does not leave a lasting impact -No sense of fun GUEST SPEAKER: Joe Disher Assistant Artistic Director for Shakespeare Playhouse -As is he is talking to us, but has lines memorized introduction -Old English speaking -Introduction was from Henry V. He said the prologue introduction to the play. Discusses using our imaginations -Live theater Anything can happen -There is a difference between liking something and appreciating it -Hated Shakespeare when he was in High School. The first time he liked a Shakespeare play was when he saw one. Shakespeare plays are meant to be heard -People used to listen to the play, rather than see a show -Theater is all about basic human communication -Handshakes before used to be grabbing elbows, because people believed there could be a weapon -Language has become almost extinct. Our society compresses language and communication -Goodbye derived from God be with you -During a play, there is energy between the audience and the actors -Shakespeare was written in early modern English, not old English -But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? Shakespeare: (Romeo) and Juliet. Appreciate the creativity and passion. Means, what is the light coming through the window? -Shakespeare wrote a lot of his plays with a specific poetry Iambic pentameter. Iam = 2 syllables. One is unstressed and one is stressed. In a line of Iambic pentameter, there are 5 iams. = 10 syllables per line

-But Soft means to be quiet. -Shakespeare wrote his stories to the rhythm of the human heart -In theater, anything can happen. -Henry the V was a prince. His father disowned him because he was irresponsible and he did not appreciate the thrown. His father died and Henry V was forced to prove himself when his country went to war -These plays are about YOU -You cant appreciate it by just reading it off the page PLAY FROM LAST CLASS - The play was to a completely fresh audience who did not know the play -The audience does not require all the full trappings of the show our imaginations are enough: you still see all of the moments in your head -Recent development in theater history not accidental that this show was for now: the pivotal development at the VERY end of the play DEFINING MOMENT THE BOUNDARY HAS BEEN PUSHED Nora decides to leave. *A moment that is not even spoken. One of the last stage directions We hear the sound of the door closing. This sound effect changed what was possible in a story. Up to that moment it was fully expected that the play will end with Norah staying with Torvault and asking him for forgiveness. This is the expected ending. At that time period (1887) no one would expect her to leave. Torvault breaks down at the end of the play. Emotionally charged moment at the end of the play. -Idea of what a person should do to become fulfilled what is more commonplace now did not happen as often as back then -In the year 2010, there is a question about Noras action that is still debated: WHY DID SHE LEAVE THE CHILDREN?? On one hand youre the mother you can not leave, figure out your issues and stay with your kids. On the Other Hand this person has not gotten past the emotional age of 10. Has always been seen as a toy. Children were placed into someone elses care and she acted as their playmate. She looks like an older sister rather than a mother. Her departure will not impact the kids the way you think. Norah should figure out how to be an adult and then go back to her children. THIS IS THE BETTER LESSON TO YOUR CHILDREN. DONT SETTLE FOR LESS. Norah was raised by a maid, not by her mother. She does not have a mother-daughter experience. She does leave open a future time to go back to her kids. They are in the hands of a caretaker. She did not have much of an impact on them. The question remains! -We can turn the mirror to ourselves what is our responsibility to ourselves and to those around us? -Norah is going out into a world with no resources. She released Torvault of

all obligations. We dont know where she is going -Norah is very bold especially towards the end. She stands up to her husband. Her first act of boldness is her forging her fathers signature. -During the time of the play we look at Gibsons playwright fo one of the people e look to for major figures of what is happening differently than before. Something we experience every day but we TAKE FOR GRANTED. -The canvas of possibility is GREATER than just realism there are many ways that a story can be told through physical style, actions. Can not only take in Realism -Leave yourself open to what you are seeing remind yourself that this is an artist who has come together to make a significant effort for us to see such a piece. View it as a puzzle. Approach is like a puzzle! Invest yourself in the work as pure curiosity. Always have an open mind. -The first 5 minutes are the most important!!! -Late 19th century ~ the style you would encounter is not realism it is mellowdrama. Simple stories about good vs. evil, presentational and large style of acting, very external, interludes of song, large eternal style of acting in stock (similar ways). *Two men got together and told the story that looked like LIGHT illusion of light. Constantine Stanislovsky and Vladimir. They are getting drunk in a caf and emerge in the morning inspired to start a new movement. Started the Moscow Art Theater still around today. This theater has 2 benchmarks that make it so important in theater history. 1. Development of realism style (i.e. no paintings, actual things to make it look so realistic) Going to encounter challenges ~ actors were still acting as if they were not on a realistic set. They needed to teach actors how to behave realistically. 2. Stanislovskys thing Development of a system of actor training known as The Method. How to get actors to behave in a way that shows they are on a realistic set. ***Actors starting moving to the U.S. and wanted to show the world about realism. Stanislovsky started writing books, so people wanted to get the books. THE METHOD today, as revered as a historic benchmark, is actually LOOKED DOWN UPON NOW and can be used as a negative term to describe someone who is not acting well. It is insulting now. 3 reasons as to why this happened.

1. Peace-meal publication (uneven publication) WE got the 1st 2 and had

to wait for the next 2 to come out 2. He was writing this in another language nuance of understanding. Issues of translation

3. His own changing views over time

As the info came to the U.S. there have been some misunderstandings and miscommunications. It has shown us how far we have come as far as communication ideas. Harry Potter is the first series that made people go on the Internet and buy the UK book, as opposed to waiting for it to be published into the U.S. -Stanislovky wrote 4 books. The first 2 books that got published in the early 20s and 30s dealt with the development of the emotional instrument (emotional life). We thought we had it all with the first 2 books, but were hungry for more. -1961 ~ publication of book 4 *Emotion Memory (Stanislovsky) figure out what the character is supposed to be feeling and then recall a moment in your life in which an analogous emotion existed (you reacted the same way) This could be emotionally damaging. *Emotional Preparation: Meisner adapted the concept and made one change: instead of going to your real lives, it goes to your imagination, which is limitless. It didnt really happen. THE DIRECTOR -The playwright creates a series of words that we use -The designer creates the set and the scenes -The director provides support and manages the group. He has the final say in what happens in the play. He gives instruction about how he wants the play to be (point of view). One of the roles of the director is to tell the actors where to be in space. He tells the actors how to interpret the play and turns the words into actions. The director ultimately is the storyteller. (Tells the story in a vivid and compelling way). The director is responsible to the text. -A directors role is to find, not so much what he or she does, but rather what he or she is responsible for. The director is responsible for all kinds of elements. A directors job is the exact opposite of most work experiences. Over time, people at a new job gain information, and positions increase goes from least important to most important. Director is opposite. On day 1 of the project, the director is the most important person. He instructs and conceptualizes the actors and everyone else involved in the play. -On the opening night, the director is the least important person. He has nothing to do with what is going on at that point. He is DONE. Most professional directors are on to directing their next play as soon as they are done with the first.

-A director is responsible for 4 things: 1. Style ~ The individualization of the art form (think of images and metaphores) Director gives the designer a launching path 2. Tempo ~ The changing rates or beats of the dramatic action. It is as if the director is a conductor of an orchestra (Telling the story with a varying pace). Sometimes moments where nothing is happening are more interesting and inciteful than those in which a lot is happening. Scrinn a see-through backdrop that makes predominant light in front to be solid. If you put the light behind it, it becomes something you can see through. 3. Mood ~ The feelings or emotions generated in the clash of forces in the dramatic action. Like tempo, you want to vary it. Tone is the summary statement of all of the moods throughout the play. 4. Idea ~ The core meaning of what a play has to say. The concept, the vision. *Each step (below) is going to unfold to reveal the next. SCRIPT ANALYSIS THE IDEA (Like a triangle) 3. Characters: The characters are becoming clearer and are coming to life. You finally find out who they are. 2. Dramatic Action: Action starts to reveal the characters themselves. We are beginning to form judgments and opinions. We are climbing the ladder of subjectivity. An idea is emerging born of the texts and subtexts, but it is not just one idea. Each different director will find his or her focus. 1. Given Circumstances: We need to begin to find the heart of this. We go to the most objective, fact based part of the script that are not open to interpretation. They are given circumstances. Things the text tells us are true. **Inspiring an idea involves an organic birth of an idea. -The director must be a good communicator. Must be able to speak to the producer. The director must also be able to talk to the playwright. The director must also be able to communicate with the actor. The director must also be able to communicate with the designer. Jason Goldstein Musical Theater - a form of theater that combines songs, spoken dialogue, and dance Theater Tradition Early forms, no instinct line between song, drama and dance -Romans and Greeks included Music and dance

-Shakespeare comedies and romances included musical numbers On the Music Front opera: 16th century composers and poets started a new form called Drama per musica. This included recitatives, arias, group sons and choral numbers. American Operetta Influenced by European works First Musical The Black Crook (1866) is considered by many to be the first musical. Melodrama is a stock character theatrical play. Niblos Garden Theater had a boring melodrama and no money for a spectacle. -Book, music, and lyrics should all work together -Writing a musical could be an original story or an adaptation of a play -When a character can no longer express themselves in words, they go into song in order to express their feelings in a different way ** Collaboration is key ** Every person has a purpose in the composure of the play -Script Analysis: The text unfolds to reveal things so that it arrives at the top level of this pyramid. -Shakespeare does not make much sense the first time it is read. It must be analyzed. -The stage manager also has responsibilities during the play. They need to follow the rules. -You are always in some form of script analysis up until final rehearsal -It doesnt take 4 years to make a play, but it does take time and a lot of effort. *Playwright is the only word you can not misspell on the final exam* -It is commonly misspelled because the suffix wright means maker of things. A playwright does not necessarily need to be a good writer. A writer has the responsibility to create everything for the reader. It is fully realized when it is read by someone. A play is left up to interpretation. The playwright defines how people speak. Does not need to have perfect grammar. The playwright has to have an ear for how the characters of that time speak. -New ways of interpreting plays are happening every day -The Solitary Process the person who writes a play (usually locks him/herself in a room with no distractions)

-When there is a group of people, a collaborative effort, ENDEMBLE TECHNIQUE. There is a lead person who uses others efforts to make final decisions. An example of this is A Chorus Line. -Reach out to those who have succeeded at something that you are interested in and they will help you succeed in it as well. *The Solitary Process: The 5 steps of Phase 1 1. Inspiration (metaphor) William Mastrosimone 2. Characters as a result of these characters existing and having sequences of actions, step 3 evolves 3. Plot 4. ****Dialogue**** Most people think it should be number one, but it happens later on in the process. Ideas must be developed first. Often, people say the play wrote itself. 5. First draft imply the moment when there is a beginning, middle, and end *The Solitary Process: Phase 2 -Collaboration: Trusted individual reads over the first draft and gives feedback -The first time the playwright realizes the play as it is spoken aloud. The play does not reach its potential until it is spoken. This occurs at a staged reading. Stage readings yield more drafts *The Solitary Phase: Phase 3 of stage production -To stage the play MID-TERM QUESTIONS AND FACTS THAT WILL BE ON THE FINAL -A story presented by Bill Bowers in class proposed that the idea that sound once released can not be taken back. -The opposite of indicating is truthful doing -Bill Bowers represents the style known as Mime -The fundamental relationship that is essential in order for theater to occur is between the actor and the audience -Talent is not an example of the actors instrument -Theater is an event that requires an actor/audience relationship/agreement in a momentary suspension of disbelief of an imaginary circumstance. Emotional preparation is a process by which an actor is able to come to life. (Meisner). Stanislovky called it emotional memory. -Major design categories: set, lights, costume, and sound -Meisners first year repetition exercise is an improvisation of behavior versus ideas -Oldest tangible evidence of storytelling is cave paintings. -The actual script is known as the PLAY and a particular realization of that script is called the production -An independent activity is a physical task that can be accomplished with the materials at hand. -In Meisner terms, an emotional change that occurs between actors based on

the behavior in the moment is an organic shift. -The underlying meaning of a ling of text is a subtext -Wealth is not an example of a reason for the existence of a drive or human impulse for theater (as we defined it). -Theater is an action not a location -Exposition is crucial plot information that is revealed early on in the play -Two audition tools include a headshot and a resume -The name of the actors stage union is equity. -During the 2nd year training, the actor learns how to navigate simple scripts focusing on conversational reality -An interview with actor Rex Harrison about his early life in the theater reinforced the notion that training is essential. -It is said that a mime;s characteristic powdered white face began with a bit of comedy in The Bakers Son as the character Pedro -An example of finding unconnected items and then crafting an Independent Activity include a RING DING and Mayonaisse. -A dramatic spoken piece of text that represents a series of unspoken reflections or inner thoughts is called a soliloquy -Commedia dellarte is a form of theater that began in Italy in the mid-15th century, characterized by the use of stock characters and continued its popularity in France during the 17th century. Profit Notes for Profit Theater *Check rutix still for updates -For profit- surplus money goes to investors. There is a myth that people dont get paid. In reality, they do get paid -NJ PAC (Performing Arts Center) is a non-profit organization with 25 million dollar budget a year. But big budget = bigger pay for executive director. -NJ PAC also has volunteers (ex. Ushers) who like to be around arts, not for money -This organization is tax-free ~ tax exempt -Element of benefit to community, research, environment, religion just cant be political. -Myth: Not-profit, do not have to pay bills. They MUST pay venders, BUT when there is surplus in non-profit, the money goes back into organization for the next year not specific people. Therefore this strengthens the organization. *Investors for profit *Donors not profit give money with no expectation for return *4 Categories of Donors

1. Corporate corporations give money so that they can receive

promotions for their business negotiated deal. *Want to give a good image of their company warm, fuzzy feeling-helping community through supporting arts. *Employee Morale making company a good place for employees to live. 2. Individuals Biggest of 4 donors types. The more individuals, the more people support the theater, so there is good PR. (ex. Also wills and trusts). Must Know~ SOU small, ongoing (always there), unrestricted (no rules about where money goes). 3. Government 5-7 years ago there was debate about tax money going to arts. However, there IS return on that money, so good investment. Its also small amount of money in theater arts so you should get involved. People in arts dont work for a lot of money, so should be supported 4. Foundations created for giving money away. Money comes from the group Geraldine Ardaj Foundation gives to arts and animal safety. It is important to Geraldine to help out in (invests money and operates off interest). It can be small or large. They have a clearly defined mission to help the community. -Most theater is non-profit -Bigger ventures are for-profit -Capitalization money it takes to get to first performance -Weekly Nut ~ When theater companies traveled, negotiated shows to do things. Would take it and then leave without performing. So the nut would be taken from the wagon traveled as collateral to keep people honest and perform. The nut amount of money is the money needed for the show to exist and take place. -Investing should only be done with extra money in case of risk of loss if show does not make money -The Dinner Party ex. Of investment process where money did not go to people who bought it. *Title of Show Play* May become one of the most done plays in regional theater esp because not many actors play If I get too excited, it might not happen. Scared of disappointment theme in play -Susans journey of working job hate, then at night you have success