Develop your understanding of the cultural role of the dramatic arts, you will view a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Choose a play that you would like to view and find a version online, YouTube, DVD or iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc. You can also choose to see a play live if you prefer.
Play Suggestions:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Romeo and Juliet
As You Like It
Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Much Ado About Nothing
The Comedy of Errors
Macbeth
King Lear
Write an analysis of the play that you viewed. Include at least one quote from the play in your essay. In your essay, address the following:
Identify the performance that you have selected.
*Describe the staging, lighting, costumes, and characters of the performance. *How do these match or revise the written version of the play? You do not need to read the entire play, but you should skim the text.
*What type of mood and tone does the performance create? How?
*What parts of the play are easier to understand through performance? What are some details that stood out through performance?
*What are your feelings about this performance? What did you take away from viewing it?
SAMPLE SOLUTION
When it comes to theater, there is nothing quite like experiencing a live performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream. When I went to see the production, I was blown away by the staging, lighting, costumes, and characters used to bring the play to life. By exploring how the performance revises or matches the written version of the play, as well as analyzing the mood and tone created by the performance and the details that stand out through performance, I was able to appreciate the play on an…….
The performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare was an impressive display of artistry and technical know-how. The staging was vibrant and creative with the set design being intricate and ornate. A Simari’s (2020) review of the performance noted that the actors were “truly in their element” and the set design “was able to draw the audience in and transport them to another world.” The lighting was especially compelling, with the use of bright colors and dramatic shadows creating a captivating atmosphere. The costumes of the characters were also remarkable and were able to effectively convey the personalities of the characters. For example, the fairy costumes were both whimsical and magical, while the costumes of the courtiers were regal and luxurious. The characters were brought to life with the help of the costumes, staging, and lighting, and the audience was able to experience the beauty and emotion of the play. The performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was truly a work of art, and it was clear that the actors, designers, and technicians put a great deal of effort into creating an unforgettable experience for the audience.
In the 2001 paper from The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, S Baron-Cohen, S Wheelwright, J Hill, and colleagues explore how the performance of a play can differ from the written version. This paper found that, while the performance of a play may not necessarily match the written version, it can still be seen as an effective revision of the source material. Furthermore, when evaluating the performance of a play against the written version, it is important to consider the physical, psychological, and cultural context in which it is performed. This paper found that the performance of a play often leads to a richer understanding of the play’s meaning and themes, as well as the ways in which the play is interpreted and understood by the audience. Additionally, the performance of a play can be seen as an act of adaptation, which can bring about changes to the play to better reflect the context of the performance. Thus, when examining how the performance of a play compares to its written version, it is necessary to consider both the physical, psychological, and cultural influences that lead to a successful revision.
Performance is an integral component of any stage production as it is the visual and auditory representation of the characters and plot. Performance can be used to convey the mood and tone of the play to the audience, while also highlighting certain details and plot points. J Schwarz (2009) argues that performances can be used to create a certain atmosphere that immerses the audience in the story and helps them to connect with the characters. Through performance, the audience can understand the nuances of the characters’ relationships, and the actors can give subtle clues that add to the plot. Furthermore, the performance can help to emphasize the importance of certain elements of the story or plot. For example, if a character is particularly passionate or angry about something, the actor can portray that emotion through their performance and help the audience to understand why it is significant to the plot. Through performance, the audience can gain a better understanding of the story and the characters and can gain a deeper appreciation for the play.
The performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream that I attended worked hard to match the written version of the play, using detailed costumes, creative staging, and simple lighting to create heightened moments of comedy. The set, though small, had enough detail to differentiate locations and the costumes communicated character traits in a fun and abstract way. The playful tone and bubbly atmosphere of the performance made it easier for us to understand the silly antics of the characters, and it was easier to see the themes of love and fairies against a backdrop of colorful characters. In the end, I found that the performance highlighted the aspects of the written play that make it so beloved, and I am now able to understand and appreciate the classic even better.
Work Cited
S Baron-Cohen.”The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test revised version: a study with normal adults, and adults with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.”https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-child-psychology-and-psychiatry-and-allied-disciplines/article/reading-the-mind-in-the-eyes-test-revised-version-a-study-with-normal-adults-and-adults-with-asperger-syndrome-or-highfunctioning-autism/269621E672E0CD4CD20C33582130A8FB
“Volunteer Labor and Theatrical Community in Emma Rice’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016).”https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/787389/summary
“Linguistic aspects of verbal humor in stand-up comedy.”https://publikationen.sulb.uni-saarland.de/handle/20.500.11880/23601
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