WRITING A PERFORMANCE OBSERVATION PAPER This paper should be a minimum of 450 words (2 type-written pages, double-spaced). A Performance Observation should be a clear, concise analysis of a live performance you attend during this semester. How to Write a Critique for a Theatrical Performance A critique is an evaluation of a performance of a show. It should contain five paragraphs. 1. Paragraph 1—The Basics Include the answers to the five W’s: • Who (the playwright, directors, and actors • What (the title of the play) • Where (the name of the school or theater) • When (when did you see it?) • Why (In a few sentences, state the basic theme of the show) 2. Paragraph 2—The Plot Briefly summarize the plot of the show: • How well did the story work? • Was it interesting, entertaining? • Did you like the actual script? 3. Paragraph 3—The Acting Reactions to the performers playing the characters in the play: • Use their real names and character names • Were they believable? • How was their volume and articulation? • Did their gestures and body movement stay true to the character? 4. Paragraph 4—The Design • Set: Did it establish a definite mood and correct time period for the play? • Lights: Did they convey appropriate mood, emphasis, and brightness? • Costumes and Makeup: Were they true to the period of the show and to the characters? 1 • Sound: How did the sound effects and music contribute to the show’s mood? • Musical Theater: If this performance was a musical, what is your opinion of the orchestra’s performance? 5. Paragraph 5—The Reaction What is the play’s effect on the audience? • Was the audience attentive? • Was the audience interested? • What was your opinion of the show as a whole? 6. Remember to: Back up all your opinions with valid reasons. Be objective, fair, and sincere. Evaluate the entire production. Be constructive. Indicate good points along with those you felt needed improvement. • Enjoy the show—don’t go to be overly critical. • • • • FOR A DANCE PERFORMANCE– Profile of the dancers (professional, amateur, student, community members) Choreographer’s Intent and how this was communicated through the following devices: Accompaniment (silence, self made, music- recorded or live, type of instrumentation, etc…. • Use of space (direction, level, focus, grouping) • Use of rhythm (tempo, meter, accent) • Use of energy (force, movement quality) • Characteristic or stylistic uses of the body In your paper use the points above to present a description of what you observed. If there are several dances in the program, you may choose to write primarily about one or two dances. Please focus on the relationship of what you observe in the performance to your experience of studying and learning about dance in this particular class. A Guide to MLA Citations for Plays When do I need a citation? 2 You need a citation when you: 1. quote directly from a source 2. paraphrase an idea from a source 3. describe a study or statistic from a source 4. are not sure the idea you are presenting came from your own brain How do I cite sources using MLA formatting? Assuming you are using Drama A Pocket Anthology, your “Works Cited” entry at the END of the paper would be modeled after the following: Name of PLAYWRIGHT Title of PLAY Translator, if there is one: Title of ANTHOLOGY Chekhov, Anton. The Cherry Orchard. Trans. Avraham Yarmolinsky. Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Maynard Mack. 4th ed. Vol. 2. New York: Norton, 1979. 1192-1230. Notice the indent Name of editor of anth. If you are using a play that is NOT in an anthology, your “Works Cited” entry at the END of the paper would be modeled after the following: Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. New York: Pocket Books-Washington Square, 1982. What about in-text citations using MLA format? Here is the deal: If you don’t mention the name of the author/playwright in the body of your sentence, you need to include it in your parenthetical reference— The tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences is referred to as a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (Sennett 11). Name of author and page number, no comma—period following If you DO mention the name of the author/playwright, the citation would look like this:Social historian Richard Sennett names the tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (11). Where do I go for formatting on other types of sources? There are tons of online resources for formatting. Just “google” it yourself (search for “citation guidelines”) or check out the following I have found useful: http://telecollege.dcccd.edu/library/Module4/M4-V/examples.htm 3
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