Drama Response Paper

Choose one play or musical to study.

The Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht

or

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Write a minimum 3 page/1000 word Essay Response to your chosen play.

Prompt : Describe in detail three actors’ (not “characters”) performances in either play (not both). Describe the choices (actions) those actors made; how did your three actors pursue their objectives using their body and voice? Were their choices logical and clear? Were there any choices you found unclear based on the characters they played?

Refer to your actors by their names. Complete cast list for each play is located at the end of each recording.

REMEMBER: YOUR PAPER SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END. YOUR FIRST PARAGRAPH WILL DESCRIBE GENERALLY WHAT YOU WILL BE DISCUSSING: YOUR THESIS. THE BODY (MIDDLE) WILL CONTAIN DETAILS IN SUPPORT OF YOUR THESIS. THE END WILL BE A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU DISCUSSED WITH A STRONG CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH.

Need help
with your answer?

Get a professionally written paper with a 15% first-time customer discount.

Order now

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you correctly approach your drama assignment:

1. Select the Play: Choose between “The Threepenny Opera” and “Twelfth Night”. Pick the one you’re more interested in or more familiar with, as this will aid in a more thorough analysis.
2. Watch the Play: If possible, watch a recorded performance of your chosen play. Pay close attention to the performances of the actors. Take note of their names, their characters, and specific actions or behaviors they exhibit during the performance.
3. Identify Three Actors: Choose three actors whose performances stand out to you. These will be the main focus of your essay. Make sure you know their real names, as you’re required to refer to them by these.
4. Analyze Performances: Pay attention to the specific actions, voice modulations, body language, and the way these actors pursue their objectives within the context of the play. Note whether their choices seem logical and clear, and if there were any unclear moments or decisions.
5. Start Writing:
   • Introduction: Start with an introduction that provides an overview of the play and states your thesis, which should hint at your evaluation of the three actors’ performances.
   • Body: Divide the body of your essay into three sections, one for each actor. In each section, describe the actor’s performance, discussing their specific actions, use of body language and voice, and how they pursued their objectives. Make sure to mention if their actions were clear and logical or if there were any unclear moments.
   • Conclusion: Summarize your discussion and reaffirm your thesis. You may also want to mention the impact of these performances on the overall viewing experience. Try to finish with a strong concluding statement.
6. Revise: Review your essay for clarity and coherence. Check that you’ve provided sufficient evidence for your thesis and that your arguments follow logically.
7. Proofread: Finally, proofread your essay to correct any grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors.

Remember, your essay should not only describe the actors’ performances but also analyze them. Consider why the actors made certain choices and how these choices affected their performances and the overall play. Good luck with your assignment!