Thea 101
Group Assignment: Directing

Re-read your play.

I. Spine

You will define the spine and explain how it relates to the main characters.

The spine is the “general action that motivates the play” (Clurman).  What are the objectives for each character at the end of the play?  What do they have in common?  Your spine states a verb that encompasses the objectives for all of the main characters.  Clurman’s example for A Touch of the Poet is: “These people are immigrants from another country; they are trying to make a place for themselves.” (bold letters are mine)

A workable spine is one that is right for each of the main characters and helps you define, describe, and understand the central conflict of the play.  The spine statement itself should be a single sentence.

You may need to read the play a few times to begin seeing the conflict and actions (verbs/objectives) of the characters.

In your first paragraph, state the spine.  Discuss in general terms why you chose your spine.  What is the central conflict and how does the spine articulate that conflict?

Discuss three or four of the main characters and how their objectives relate to the spine.  This will be its own paragraph.

II. Style

Discuss what sort of visual style you see as effective.  Will you use realism, non-realism, or a mixture of both, and why?  If it’s a mixture, what elements would be more realistic and which would be less?  Why?  If you use some sort of artistic style (expressionism, surrealism, symbolism, etc.), what makes that an effective choice?  Some playwrights might suggest one of these styles, and that can justify your choice.

III. Directorial Concept

In which time and place will you set the play?  Most often, you’ll set it where the script suggests, but if you see an effective change, that can become part of the concept.  Be aware: setting older plays in a new time period doubles your research because you must still research the original time period, then research the new time period – even it it’s our current time – so that your changes are consistent with the play itself.

Do you see a central image or metaphor?  This may serve as a directorial concept.

IV. Rehearsal Methods

Which of the six directing methods do you think you would use the most?  Why do you think that would be effective for you and for this play?

Writing guidelines
Use 12 point font, double-spaced

Indent each paragraph five spaces.

Don’t leave unused extra spaces between paragraphs.

Make sure that each paragraph communicates a complete thought or discussion – avoid paragraphs of only one or two sentences.  Also, don’t combine two different discussions into one paragraph (i.e. discussing acting and scenery in the same paragraph).

Use 1” margins on all sides of the paper.

Write your name, the class name, my name, and the date in the upper left hand corner of the paper.