Below are a series of writing prompts to help spark responses from student actors in either a private journaling or discussion board environment. Instructors should feel free to adapt, edit, and add additional prompts as necessary. Thank you.
PROMPT #1: INTRODUCTIONS
Welcome to THA 52, ActingI!
STEP 1 – Please write a MINIMUM 2 PARAGRAPH introduction of yourself. Who are you? What is your major? Why are you taking this class? (It’s ok if it’s just because it fit into your schedule or if you have to take it because it’s required ) BUT what if you have some experience in Theatre or have taken a Theatre class before? Hmmmmm…you might have something to say.
STEP 2 – Respond to at least ONE fellow classmates Intro in a MINIMUM OF 1 PARAGRAPH. Maybe you have something in common? This is a way to get to know each other virtually!
PROMPT #2: WHAT CONSTITUTES GOOD ACTING?
Based off our conversations this week and the list that we brainstormed, choose the 3 MOST IMPORTANT words/ideas that YOU think constitutes “good acting”. Please write a MINIMUM 3 paragraphs (1 per item) and articulate your thoughts about each.
Please respond to at least 1 classmates post in a minimum 1 paragraph to engage in conversation with your classmates.
PROMPT #3: MONOLOGUE COACHING # 1 & REFLECTIONS
In 2-3 paragraphs, please go into detail about how you feel after Coaching # 1. Are things about your speech/character clearer? Have you gone through and reviewed where the beat changes are? What about your actions/tactics?
After thinking about what you accomplished, how will you move forward? What are your next steps in preparation for Coaching # 2? What are some adjustments or things to think about when you continue to rehearse?
PROMPT #4: MONOLOGUE COACHING # 2 & REFLECTIONS
What came out of your second Coaching? While working through your speech, what additional discoveries did you make about the direction you are taking it? Do you feel more confident that you have a handle on this character and the circumstances?
What do you need to work on in order to give a strong final presentation on May 11th in class? What are you still struggling with?
Minimum – 2 paragraphs and really go into detail! 🙂
PROMPT #5: SCENE COACHING # 1 & REFLECTIONS
In 2-3 paragraphs, please go into detail about how you feel after Coaching # 1. Are things about your scene/character clearer? Have you gone through and reviewed where the beat changes are? What about your actions/tactics? How is the working relationship with your partner?
After thinking about what you accomplished, how will you move forward? What are your next steps in preparation for Coaching # 2? What are some adjustments or things to think about when you continue to rehearse?
PROMPT #6: SCENE COACHING # 2 & REFLECTIONS
In 2-3 paragraphs, please go into detail about how you feel after Coaching # 2. Are things about your scene/character clearer? Have you gone through and reviewed where the beat changes are? What about your actions/tactics? How is the working relationship with your partner?
After thinking about what you accomplished, how will you move forward? What are your next steps in preparation for Coaching # 2? What are some adjustments or things to think about when you continue to rehearse?
PROMPT #7: SCENE ANALYSIS & REFLECTION
In a 2-3 page reflection essay, please discuss the following acting tools in relationship to your current acting scene. First, discuss the concept of “objective” and why it is important to the Stanislavsky technique. Also, discuss its importance in relation to our collective definition of acting.
Once you have defined and outlined the concept of “objective”, discuss it specifically in relationship to your current acting scene. What does your character want in this scene and be sure to state it in the form of a tangible objective.
Next, discuss the units of action or beats in your current scene. Where do they begin and end? Why? What actions/tactics/intentions have you assigned to your character for each beat? Discuss the throughline of the actions through the entire scene and the transition from one action to another. What causes the character to make these changes?
Lastly, discuss your overall approach to the scene. How do your choice of actions serve your objective? What is standing in the way of the objective, a.k.a. the obstacle? And, does your character achieve their objective by the end of the scene?
Be sure to discuss each component and each question fully. The essay should be two complete pages, typed and double spaced.
PROMPT #8: DRAMATURGY AND THE ACTOR
Why is dramaturgy important for the actor? What information can be gathered through the dramaturgical process to enrich a performance? What might happen if the actor ignores dramaturgy? And lastly, how does an actor translate dramaturgical information into valuable information for a characterization and acting technique?
PROMPT #9: MID-SEMESTER REFLECTION
Write a one page journal entry that reflects on your progress in this in this class. How has your understanding of the art of acting changed since the start of the semester? What discoveries have you made over the course of the semester? How have you grown as an actor? Do you have an approach to material that you feel you lacked at the start of the semester? Entry should be 200-300 words, typed and double spaced.
PROMPT #10: OBSERVING THE ACTOR’S WORK
FENCES by August Wilson (embedded video clip)
The above is a scene from the 2010 Broadway revival of Fences by August Wilson. As you may recognize, the two actors are Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. After watching the scene a few times, please compose a short response about what you think the actors are doing well (both actors won the Tony Award for their performances). In your response, select three things that you feel the actors are doing well, why it is effective, and how it serves the storytelling. Once that is completed, reflect on how you can apply these lessons to your own acting work. How does watching the work of other actors inform your own work and what can you learn from this scene and use as inspiration for your acting work this semester? Reflection entries should be around 150-200 words and please be specific and use acting terminology when appropriate. Thank you.
PROMPT #11: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
After reading your scene assignment, and perhaps part or all of the play itself, please articulate three questions that you have about the scene. These can be presented in either a list or short answer format. The questions can really cover anything but should explore the areas that you feel you need to clarify in order to present the scene truthfully. They can be questions of character, backstory, relationship, motivation, objective, genre, style, etc. Pick the three questions that you feel you need to start with (as you should have many more than three questions). Be prepared to share one or two of your questions with the class next week. Further, you will work to answer these questions for your journal entry three weeks from now.
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