Wednesday, November 10, 2010

One Act Mini Workshop: Finding a Direction & Theme

Today during 1st period please complete the following task with a partner:

1. Read each others plays. Do not worry if the play has not yet been completed, but as a general guideline you should each have about 9-12 pages of script at this point.

2. You and your partner should exchange places while reading (you sit in his/her chair & computer, he/she sits in yours).

3. As you read your partner's play script, please note the following by adding INSERT COMMENTS from the INSERT menu:

A. Give your partner feedback about improper script format. If your partner is making mistakes, please notify him or her about that. Check for grammar mistakes as well.
B. As you read look for inconsistencies or problems with the script. If you have a question about what's going on, INSERT a comment letting your playwright partner know this.
C. Suggest additional scenes: 1. for the beginning or before the beginning of the play (pages 0-2), 1. for the middle of the play (pages 3-9), and 1. for the end of the play or after the play action (pages 8-12...etc.) YOU WILL HAVE MADE 3 SEPARATE SUGGESTIONS by the end of your editing/reviewing time.
D. Look for a theme. What is the main idea the playwright is examining (what is he/she saying about human life). If this is unclear, comment at the end of the script that you are wondering what the point or theme is of the play.

Done? Read your partner's comments about your play. Make changes where necessary. Keep writing the play.

2nd period: Class reading. Please check out Christopher Durang's 27 Collected Plays from the library. We'll read some of these in class for the next few classes. You may remember his play Mrs. Sorken and the One Minute plays.

Information about Christopher Durang.

HOMEWORK: (for Monday, Nov. 15) Please read the information about Christopher Durang. Get to know him a bit and then read any of the plays between pages: 53-228. Like him?, read many or all of these plays. Hate him, read a few more, then decide.

As you read Durang notice how he constructs his plays. Look closely at his dialogue. And, of course, enjoy. These plays are meant to be absurd and funny. Don't take them very seriously, although they often center around serious issues.

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