Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Spic-O-Rama (viewing); Basic Character Builder

This morning we are going to watch the mono-drama (a one-person show) from John LeguizamoSpic-o-Rama. Please click on the link and take some basic notes about the playwright & actor.

As we watch, take notes on this play. Consider the following questions to discuss after viewing:
  • What is the premise and/or MDQ (major dramatic question) in this play?
  • How does Leguizamo's portrayal of his characters make the play "come alive" (as opposed to reading a script)?
  • What surprised you or changed your opinion of the show? (contrast your reading experience with your viewing experience). 
  • What props and/or costumes are used to help define and characterize the characters in this play?
  • How does the set add or detract from the action/conflict or character(s) in the play?
  • Why might someone pay money to see this performance? What does the play offer us that TV, Movies, Video (games or entertainment) or Books might not?
Period 2:

After our discussion of the play, let's work on developing your characters from the play draft you wrote this past weekend (or in class last Thursday). 

For each character in your play, please complete notes and questions from the handout. Set up a "Personal Palette" for your characters (remember that you want to combine people who trigger strong positive or negative feelings in you.)

Answer SOME of the questions as instructed under "Your Character's Physical Life", "Your Character's Inner Life", and "Your Character's Life with Others". 

Once you know your characters better, give each character in your play draft (short play draft #1) a monologue where you use some of the details you fleshed out to provide more information to the audience about that character. 

Revise and rewrite. Your second draft is NOT due yet.

HOMEWORK: None.

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