KRISTA D. PRICE
Theatre Review Assignment
Due: By November 17, 2023
Turn in: Google Classroom
SHOW INFO:
This year's fall play: Peter & the Starcatcher
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Show Dates: November 9-11 @ 7p.m. & November 11 @ 2 p.m.
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You are required to attend (free with student ID on opening night)
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You are required to write a review/critique on a live theatre production (high school or higher) this semester. The fall play is an easy/free/local option, so Ms. Price suggests you take it.
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Tickets for family members/friends who are not Oxford students can be purchased by going to www.oxfordhighschooltheatre.com (fall play) & or OHSmusical.com (spring musical) and clicking on the "Ticket" tab (which will take you to the ticketing website).
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Tickets for Oxford students can only be acquired at the box office the week of the show (open from 3:00-3:30 p.m. and one hour before opening night).
ASSIGNMENT:
One of your summative assessments in this class is your analysis of a live (stage) play or musical. This analysis is called a review (or critique) and you are the play/musical’s reviewer/critic.
For this SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT, assume you are a "newspaper critic" for this semester’s show.
WHAT IS A REVIEW?
A Review (sometimes called a “critique”) is an essay or article that expresses an individual’s analysis/opinions of an artist’s work (in this case a play or musical). (NOTE: To effectively review the show, your paper should be approx. 2 pages, double spaced, 10-12 font)
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A REVIEW?
Not only is a review an expression of a particular person’s analysis/opinion, it also helps inform other people of what a particular work of art is like. Of course, the best way to experience a piece of art is first-hand, but a reviewer’s job is to relay their first-hand experience to others who may not have seen the artwork...and the reviewer is relied upon to be honest/fair about his/her thoughts, feelings, likes, and dislikes.
Review TASK SHEET: Click HERE
Review RUBRIC: Click HERE
Read about WRITING a review: Click HERE
IN-CLASS LESSONS ABOUT WRITING YOUR REVIEW:
In class, we learned about how to BEGIN your review assignment. Follow the learning below if you were absent - in order to better understand the expectations/information shared in class.
1.) Watch preview to learning HERE
2.) Watch a scene from Fences HERE (2 different actor performances/versions of the same scene)
A brief synopsis of the play, Fences:
Arguably August Wilson's most renowned work, Fences explores the life and relationships of the Maxson family against the backdrop of the evolving African American experience in the 1950's. The protagonist, Troy Maxson is a restless trash-collector and former baseball athlete. Though deeply flawed, he represents the struggle for justice and fair treatment, as well as human nature's reluctance to recognize and accept social change. (Source)
3.) Watch post-scene learning HERE
EXAMPLES:
If you'd like to read an example of a review, here's a MOVIE review of Lost in Yonkers: Click HERE
Note: The above movie review was written by an adult. I do not expect your review to be written professionally, but I do expect that you follow the format of a good review and that you share your (original) opinions, and provide examples from the show that back up your opinions.