Unit(s): Introduction to the Theater (types of drama, theater terminology, etc.)
Purpose:
To make students aware of play reviews, both locally and nationally, to teach them the difference between the work of critics and reviewers, and to give them practice in reading and evaluating play reviews
Objective:
After reading a play review, students will evaluate it and their response to it by writing a "stage review report."
Materials:
- Explanation about critics and reviewers from The Theater Experience (Edwin Wilson, 4th ed.), pp. 65-67
- A current review of a play production, a local production is best, but a review of a regional or national production will also work if students are aware of some aspect of the production (familiarity helps)
- A stage review report form (see attachment)
Procedure:
- Have students read and discuss the information about critics and reviewers.
- Pass out copies of a review and have the class read it together.
- Discuss the information and opinions expressed in the review and students' responses to it.
- Ask for a show of hands of which students would/would not go to see the production based on the review.
- Discuss the reasons for student responses.
- Pass out stage review report forms and ask students to fill them out while in class.
- Assist any students who have difficulty identifying information or expressing their evaluations.
- Ask students to find at least one other review and complete a report on it (THIS IS A GOOD CONTINUING ASSIGNMENT, for example require one review to be read and reported on each 9 weeks).
- Encourage students to see a production after reading the review and compare their own critical responses to those of the reviewer.
STAGE REVIEW REPORT
Name _____________________________________________ Period __________
Name of play________________________________________________________
Playwright __________________________________________________________
Theatre ____________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________________________________
Source of Review ___________________________ Reviewer ______________
According to the reviewer:
What is the play basically about (main characters, action)?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What are two positive comments made by the reviewer?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What are two negative comments made by the reviewer?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Does the review interest you and make you want to see the play?
Yes _____ No _____
Why or why not?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________