CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER – ACTING PERFORMANCE
（https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVOqa_AKs5o）
This critical analysis paper is designed to help you develop an understanding of the concepts covered in class by observing them within the context of a live performance. This paper should be in formal essay form and shall be concerned with one of the major characters in the play. Choose a character that has some depth and follow the guidelines. Answer the questions honestly. Explain WHY you feel the way you do; think and imagine, do not just fulfill a requirement.
INTRODUCTION
Due to the pandemic, you will need to view a filmed production of a live stage performance – not a film adaptation. Begin your paper by indicating the name of the play, the author, and director. Include a hyperlink to the video. Papers without a hyperlink will not be accepted or graded. State in one or two lines your reaction to the play as a whole. Give the name of the character you’ve chosen, the actor who played the role and a brief description on how you felt about their performance.
CHARACTERIZATION
Who are they? Describe the character physically. Note their age and occupation. Describe their costume: does it seem to match their personality? What is their educational, economic, social and religious background? List as many observations about their character that are stated or implied. BE SPECIFIC. Do not assume the reader has seen the performance.
OBJECTIVE
What seems to be the character’s overall objective in the play? What is it they really want and why? A character may have several minor objectives in each scene which point towards a larger goal. Do they succeed in getting what they want by the end of the play?
OBSTACLES / TACTICS
What obstacles did the character confront? What prevented them from achieving their goals? Explain. What tactics did the character employ when confronted by the obstacles? Were their tactics successful? Were there any tactics the character used repeatedly?
PORTRAYAL
Was the portrayal of the character believable? Was the actor/actress well cast in the role? Did they believably pursue their objective throughout? Were their tactics interesting? Use images to describe the way the actor moved and spoke. (Example: Ms. Streep prowled the stage like a lioness on the hunt, her low, seductive voice sounded like honey luring you to a deadly trap.) Vocal qualities include volume, speed, timbre, tone and pitch.
SUMMARY
Conclude with a brief summary. What memories or emotions did the production evoke? Did you learn anything from this virtual theatre-going experience? What did you learn about yourself? Were there any elements of this production that you thoroughly enjoyed or intensely disliked? Why? State your reaction to this experience as a whole.
