1-

This discussion question is based on pp. 303-343 of The Essential Theater, 10th ed., by Oscar G. Brockett and Robert J. Ball. (Please see syllabus for complete bibliographic information).

Topics you should know before answering this question:

1. The role of the director (pp. 322-324)
2. Approaches to directing (pp. 324-329)
    Includes: literal, translation, and auteur approaches
3. Design and casting (pp. 329-332)
4. Stage, gesture, voice and speech (pp. 332-338)

The three different approaches to directing are the literal approach, the translation approach, and the auteur approach.  Explain the difference between these three approaches.  Then, explain what a translation approach to Romeo and Juliet might look like.

2-

This discussion question is based on pp. 345-360 of The Essential Theater, 10th ed., by Oscar G. Brockett and Robert J. Ball. (Please see syllabus for complete bibliographic information).

Topics you should know before answering this question:

1. The actor’s training and means (pp. 346-357)
2. From training to performing (pp. 351-358)
3. Dress rehearsals and performance (pp. 359-360)

Describe how an actor prepares for a role from the moment he or she gets the script to the final performance. Which aspects of this preparation do you think is most important and why?

3-

This discussion question is based on pp. 27-32 and pp. 319-322 of The Essential Theater, 10th ed., by Oscar G. Brockett and Robert J. Ball.

You are a Broadway producer and are trying to select your next show to back.  You have two strong choices: the stage version of a popular animated film (like Disney’s Frozen) or a new dark comedy about the rise and fall of the 90s grunge rock movement.  What are the pros and cons of producing each show? Which of these shows would you choose and why?