How to Write a Review

And how NOT to!

MLA FORMAT

Typed Double Spaced 1” margins [not 1.25” which is default setting] Your Name, Teacher, Course and Date at

LEFT MARGIN Title CENTERED and in TITLE CAPS, but

NOT UNDERLINED, NOT BOLDED, NOT BIGGER

12-point font THROUGHOUT essay Page # on top right, ½” FROM TOP OF PAGE,

preceded by your last name (Smith 2)

MORE RULES

• Use 3rd person (no “I”)

• Use PRESENT TENSE throughout, both for plot recap and description of the show

• Attach your ticket and a program

(This is REQUIRED to prove it took place during the semester it was assigned)

USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OR DETAILS

TO HELP READER “SEE” YOUR POINT.

SUPPORT YOUR OPINION!

DON’T BE VAGUE

and

Don’t just list info!

Organize your thoughts,

and craft your paragraphs carefully.

7 paragraph format

1. Introduction2. Plot Summary3. Describe and Evaluate

Performers4. Describe and Evaluate

Lighting and Sound5. Describe and Evaluate

Costumes and Makeup6. Describe and Evaluate

Set and Props7. Conclusion

Introduction

For the performance you saw, identify:• Title of the show• Location and Date of performance• Playwright (= Author) and Composer • Theater group or school that performed• Director• BRIEF explanation of what show is about

(theme or message)• Thesis Statement about your overall

impression of the show

Script

• Summarize PLOT• Introduce main

CHARACTERS and their traits

• Identify SETTING (where and when the story takes place)

VAGUE BETTER BEST

Performance• Consider the performance of the

cast as a whole, and discuss 2 to 4 performers specifically, at least one should be a main character

• Describe, Analyze and Evaluate actors’ choices, using specific examples or details to support your claims

• Use actors’ names and character names

VAGUE BETTER BEST

Lighting and Sound

• Describe what you saw and heard

• Analyze the effect: how did lighting and sound help convey setting and mood?

• Evaluate those choices

• Use technicians’ names

• Cite specific examples or details for support

VAGUE BETTER BEST

Costumes and Makeup

• Describe what you saw• Analyze the effect: how did costumes and

makeup help convey character and setting?

• Evaluate those choices• Use technicians’ names• Cite specific examples or details for

support

Set and Props

• Describe what you saw

• Analyze the effect: how did set and props help the actors tell the story?

• Evaluate those choices

• Use technicians’ names

• Cite specific examples or details for support

CONCLUSION

• General Impression, Overall Opinion• Audience Response• Why reader should see show…or not!

TURNITIN.COM

• Submit paper within 24 hours of due date• Create your account first at turnitin.com:

– Enter your email– Create your own personal password

• Join my class using class code: – Drama 1 = 8700387 – Drama 2 = 8700440 – Adv Drama = 8700445

• Password for all classes: summertime

Upload Paper to Turnitin.com

EITHER

cut and paste your document

OR

Upload document to site

Just follow directions on the website.

KEEP THE RECEIPT THEY SEND YOU!!!

Acting Skills

• Voice• Physicality• Characterization• Stage Presence• Connection

(“Chemistry”)• Memorization• Believability

ACTING, VAGUE

They performed very well together. Their duet in the wedding scene was also very well performed.

ACTING, BETTER

Each of the two did a great job with their gestures and body movement. They really showed a change in their relationship towards each other during their wedding and marriage.

Especially articulate was Dante Belletti, who played the part of John Proctor. He also had impressive control of his emotions that contributed to exciting builds and bold character choices.

ACTING, BEST

Schnepel tremendously conveyed the loss of Blanche’s sanity with her detached tone of voice, dream-like hand gestures, and frighteningly placid facial expressions.

The ensemble managed to show the fear spreading through Salem as a contagious disease, and each character infected another. In a harrowing and perfectly timed scene the true power of fear is made known; the children repeat every line of their victim, Mary Warren (Kirsti Slockbower), the person they are pretending has them under a spell. Technical/ Production Elements 

SET, VAGUE

The special effects were wonderful and made the experience so much more amazing and fun and very memorable! 

SET, BETTER

The set only added even more to the volume of the show. When you first enter the theater, it is a simple setting, with a set of bleachers on each side, and a tall backdrop covered in different items, lights, and a ladder leading to a suspended chair.

SET, BEST

The scene on the docks was very beautiful, how the grass was growing up the columns, and the dock was placed on wheels so was very efficient for moving on and off stage quickly.

Notably memorable was the number “One Short Day” as Glinda and Elphaba roam through the Emerald City with awe-inspiring neon green lights embedded throughout the entire set as well as on the outside walls of the stage.  

LIGHTING, VAGUE

I loved the lighting and the sound system they worked together nicely. 

LIGHTING, BETTER

The lighting was absolutely breathtaking as it symbolically represented the mood from sad to happy.

The lights on the backdrop created a mood of intensity and insanity when they brightly flashed and exploded in color in musical numbers.

LIGHTING, BEST

The lights, [on the other hand], were excellent. As the mood of the songs changed, the lights captured the emotions and seemed to convey the words in a prominent color, such as when Jamie sings “Shiksa Goddess”, the lights turn yellow to match with the salsa-like tune.

The lighting of the play seemed to want to be symbolic but did not always succeed. The reds of passion and blood were well used, but others were merely distracting.

SOUND, VAGUE

The sound was also really good, it went really good with all of scenes.

SOUND, BETTER

The sound effects, though fitting to the play, at times upstaged the actors, and lines were lost to the sound of horses hooves or offstage dialogue.

COSTUMES, VAGUE

The costumes and makeup were really good too, they went really good with the play.

COSTUMES, BETTER

I loved the costumes that the actors were wearing; they fit perfectly with the theme. 

COSTUMES, BEST

The costumes were simplistic- German school and headmaster uniforms distinguished who the characters were and they never changed from them.

CONCLUSION

Looks like this…