NOTES FROM ASU'S HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE DAY
                                ASSESSMENT - NOVEMBER 18, 1992
                                            written by Johnny Saldana

Forms

Student self-evaluation forms, in addition to teacher evaluation forms, are used.  Space for written comments in addition to the scale response is included on these forms.
Specific criteria on a form make it clear to students what the teacher is looking for in monologues, scene performances, technical theatre projects, etc.
One teacher negotiates the grade with students who rate/grade themselves on a form.
An interest survey, distributed at the beginning of the semester, helps the teacher assess the students' likes and dislikes, opinions, expectations, etc.
Forms are used to help be more objective and specific with grading; administrators find it more "tangible."
National Forensic League evaluation sheets for duo acting, etc., are used in one teacher's class for assessing performance.
One teacher has the students in her beginning theatre class develop the criteria for which they will be graded on a performance.

Grading Methods

One instructor uses a "pass/fail" system.  In a 9-week period, there are approximately 5 assignments, each of them "pass/fail."  If 5 are passed, the grade for the 9-week period is an "A"; if 4 are passed, the grade is a "B"; etc.
An instructor has both she and the class grade the students' work (the students have 49% of the grade; she holds 51% of the grade as a "cushion").  Each evaluator's grade is averaged for the final grade.
No grade is given for the student's first performance (to get them oriented to performance conditions).  A grade is given the second time.
In small group work, the group as a whole, rather than individuals within the group, is given a grade.  The teacher said this makes the students put peer pressure on each other and motivates self-discipline.
If someone does not participate in the day's activities, or if they are not ready for a performance, they get "0" points for the day.
Be very clear in what you're looking for in a student's performance, otherwise they may argue with you over the grade they received.  Also have that criteria documented in print or they'll use the excuse, "I didn't know."
Have the roster of assignments with spaces for students to keep a running tally of the scores/grades they received for  each assignment.  That way, they (and their parents) can monitor their own progress.  Also let parents know what the assignments expected of the students will be.
A scene is performed three times:  the first goal is to check on memorization; the second performance is to check if the student stayed in character; the third is to assess interpretation of subtext.  With each performance, a new challenge is added.

Oral Feedback

Students need to be taught how to give oral feedback in a positive and supporting manner to their peers.  Students look for quality, effective moments.  One teacher conducts a unit on how to assess.  She found that setting a positive tone makes students supportive of those who are not as strong in performance.
When oral feedback is given to a student, the student actor calls on those who have hands raised for feedback and answers with "Thank you."  No refuting of their comments is allowed.
An advanced theatre class is easier to assess because of their foundation knowledge.  They are ready and open for feedback on their performances.
Another method is to have the student stay in the performance space after the work has been presented.  The first question the instructor asks the student actor is, "How did you feel about your performance?"  This lets the class and instructor know whether the student has a handle on self-assessment and standards.  The student audience then gives positive feedback directly to the student actor ("What did you find effective about the performance?"  A blanket "It was good" from a student is not allowed--they must target specifics (voice, gesture, etc.).  If the student evaluator looks at the instructor (who stands behind the class) while giving feedback, the instructor says, "Don't give me the feedback, I didn't perform it; tell _____."  After positive feedback has been given, then students are asked, "If _____ were to continue rehearsing for a second performance, what would be some things you would suggest he/she explore or re-work?"  This mind-sets a
"safe" way of giving constructive feedback.  After student feedback has been given, the instructor gives his/her feedback on points not mentioned by the class.

"New" Forms of Assessment

Video-tape of a student's performance work throughout the semester/year is a summative document that represents their learning.  Videos show student progress as they go through the system and validates theatre study.
One instructor has her students assess their own work by watching their video performance privately and immediately afterwards.  Beginning students gravitate to being video-taped; there is not as much apprehension as one would think.
An advanced theatre class has each student keep his/her own video-tape of their work for reference.
Written journals with daily entries can include anything about scene work, responses to plays, original monologues or scenes, etc.  Daily entries are made and students get 1 point for each day.  The beginning class is given specific topics to write about.

Assessing Affective Behavior

Although one teacher's administrator has problems with this method, a student's attendance, tardies, etc. affect his/her participation, which in turn affects 20% of their course grade.
One instructor has 15 points allocated to each student per day for participation/behavior   10 points are allocated for a student's attitude and behavior; points are taken away for disruptive behavior exhibited in class.
An instructor refuses to let students not participate. She explains that It Is a participation class.  Those not willing to work or being disruptive are removed from the group and talked to one-on-one.

Issues

A lawsuit in Tucson deals with a secondary school theatre instructor who gave a student a "B" to a 4.0 1'A" student.  The parents are initiating the lawsuit, and the teacher must provide documentation of how the student was assessed.

Other Topics and Strategies

One teacher does not go into performance or activity the first 12 weeks of a beginning theatre class.  The course content is theatre history, scenic and costume design, etc. and students are kept in their desks to establish a "traditional classroom" schema.  This establishes a more controlled atmosphere, establishes oneself as a "teacher" and gives the subject weight:  "This is work."  The class then builds into performance work, like monologues and group scenes.

Advice to the First Year Teacher

Before you sign a contract, get in writing what the school will do for any theatre space/facility needs (e.g., repairs, clean-up, etc.).
The custodians and secretaries of a school are essential for your program.  Make friends with them.
In the classroom, establish the kind of respect you expect from students.
Having discipline problems the first year is natural for a beginning teacher; it takes about three years to get comfortable with one's own way of handling problems.  This is particularly difficult for beginning teachers who are still young and not much older than the seniors.
Know what you want out of your first semester's class curriculum; be as equipped as you can with as many materials as possible.  Know your long range goals and work toward them. Find out what your budgets are and learn how the system works

 

ANTI - PLAY/BOOK REPORT IDEAS

1. Make a collage using pictures, drawings, quotes.. etc. illustrating a theme in the book.   Include a 3-4 paragraph explanation of your collage.

2. Write a letter from one of the characters in the play to another character, explaining his/her actions and feelings.  (1-2 pages).

3. Write an essay (1-2 pages) explaining your personal feelings regarding an idea of the play. . . war, courage, growing up,  families, etc.

4. You are an astrologer who is visited by one of the char-acters in the play.   Choose a sign which you think is compatible with this character's personality.   Write a one month astrological prediction of what will happen to his/her (1-2 pages).

5. You are on the staff of Johnny Carson, David Letterman, or whoever.  You know that your boss does not like to have authors on his show as guests.. but you have just finished this play and feel that the playwright would be an excellent guest.   Write a memo to Mr. Carson, etc. telling him/her  why you feel the audience would be interested in hearing the playwright talk about the play (1-2 pages).

6. Write an obituary for a character from this play.   (Be to include achievements, parents, strong points, etc,).  (3-4 paragraphs)

7. Write a sequel act to the play.   You may set your act immediately after the story ends, or at some point in the future (1-2 pages ).

8. Think about how a certain character from your book would act in other situations.   You are on a blind date with this character.   Describe your evening, telling how the character behaves.   Be sure that she/he acts and speaks as in the play (1-2).

9. Did the way your play ended bother you?  Write a new ending!  (1-2 pages)

10. Write a letter of recommendation for one of the main characters ill your play. Include his/her name, special abilities, talents, and interests.

l1. In a short. paper, compare the movie and the play. (1-2 pages)

12. Write a movie script for your play.   (1-2 pages)

13. Write a letter to a friend recommending this play. (1-2 pages)

Your grade will be determined by how well you "report" on your play.   Be sure to integrate pertinent information about your script in the assignment.   You will also be graded on such "Englishisy" aspects as organization, spelling, paragraphing, punctuation, neatness, etc.   Have fun with this if you can...   Pick something that will allow you to use your imagination!

Use this page as a guide.   Do not hand in into the instructor.

The heading for the assignment should look like:

PLAY REVIEW                                                                             NAME
BASIC DRAMA                                                                            DATE
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE                                      HOUR
ADVANCED ACTING/DIRECTING                                            TEACHER
 

PAPER MUST BE WRITTEN IN BLUE/BLACK INK OR TYPED. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WRITE ON ONE SIDE OF THE PAPER ONLY. PLEASE CHECK SPELLING.
 
 

                                        Group and Self Evaluation
***Answer the following questions as completely as possible. This is a required part of the performance grade!!!

1. Discuss in detail how you felt about your performance on Friday? What went well?
 
 
 
 

2. How do you feel about the performance now that you have seen the video? Explain.
 
 
 
 

3. What did your group accomplish that was especially well done? Explain.
 
 
 
 

4. What was a major problem that occurred in your group? How was it handled, or solved?
 
 
 
 

5. What was your major contribution to the group?
 
 
 

6. If you could give yourself a grade what would it be? Why?
 
 
 

7. If you could give your group a grade what would it be? Why?

                                             Peer Performance Critique

As you watch the performance please make a note of moments that were effective and moments that could use improvement. Make sure to phrase suggestions in ways that are positive and helpful.

Title of Pantomime_______________________________

What moment was done especially well in the pantomime? What made it good?
 
 
 

Where their any moments that need work? What where they and how can they be improved?
 
 
 
 
 

Rate the following - 5 is the best, 1 is the worst

Group appeared to work well together     5     4     3    2    1

Storyline was clearly understood              5     4     3    2    1

Characters were clearly portrayed            5     4     3    2    1

Music was helpful to the pantomime         5     4     3    2    1

Group appeared to be having fun             5     4     3    2    1
and put forth an effort

Critics Name __________
 

             GROUP EVALUATION
 
Evaluate each of your group members using the following criteria, Include the name of the person you are evaluating and address the following 4 points:
You may use additional paper if necessary.

1.    Explain what each member contributed towards the project: (the script writing or editing, discovering sound cues, listening to ideas, contributing ideas, positive attitude , staying on task, assembling equipment, working & studying sound notes & handouts
2.    Use of rehearsal and work time
3.    Effectiveness of their performance
4.     Specific letter grade that you would give that person for their overall efforts
        A+     A      A-     B+     B      B-     C+     C      C-      D+      D      D-

Member name:                                                                                 Grade:
Critique:
 

                        GRADING COMPONENTS
                                circle the number most appropriate to this performance

CHARACTERIZATION
distinct personality                                                             1        2        3        4        5
believable                                                                          1        2        3        4        5
maintained character                                                           1        2        3        4        5
interpretation of role                                                           1        2        3        4        5
projected emotions                                                             1        2        3        4        5
varied emotions                                                                  1        2        3        4        5

VOICE
projection                                                                         1        2        3        4        5
clear diction                                                                      1        2        3        4        5
phrasing/use of pause                                                        1        2        3        4        5
inflection for line meaning                                                   1        2        3        4        5
correct pronunciation                                                         1        2        3        4        5
interpretation                                                                     1        2        3        4        5
appropriate to character                                                     1        2       3        4        5
expressive

MOVEMENT
motivated                                                                         1        2        3        4        5
posture & walk                                                                 1        2        3        4        5
gestures & business                                                           1        2        3        4        5
facial expression                                                                1        2        3        4        5
appropriate to time period                                                 1        2        3        4        5
showed state of mind                                                         1        2        3        4        5
appropriate to character                                                     1        2        3        4        5

BASIC SKILLS
concentration                                                                     1        2        3        4        5
energy                                                                                1        2        3        4        5
memorized                                                                         1        2        3        4        5
played the objective                                                            1        2        3        4        5
suitable selection                                                                 1        2        3        4        5
relaxed control                                                                    1        2        3        4        5
prepared                                                                             1        2        3        4        5
 
OVERALL PERFORMANCE                                          1        2        3        4        5
 
 
 
        ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT - POSSIBLE PRODUCTS
      from A Practical Guide To Alternative Assessment  by Joan L. Herman, et al.

1. ABC BoOk
2. Act it Out
3. Advertisement
4. Basic Bread Dough
5. Figures
6. Bibliography
7. Biography
8. Block Picture Story
9. Book Cover Book
10. Bread dough Sculpture
11. Bulletin Board
12. Cardboard Relief
13. Celebrity Cards
14. Chart
15. Choral Reading
16. Cinquain
17. Collage
18. Collection
19. Collection  with Narrative
20. Construction (how to) Commercial
21. Computer Program
22. Costume
23. Costumed Storytelling
24. Creative Writing
25. Crosscut Diagram
26. Crossword Puzzle
27. Data Base
28. Debate
29. Demonstrate  a Technique
30. Diary
31. Dictionary
32. Diorama
33. Display
34. Ditto
35. Dress Dolls
36. Editorial
37. Essay
38. Evaluation
39. Experiment
40. Experiment Record
41. Fact File
42. Fairy Tale
43. Filmstrip
44. Flip Book
45. Flow Chart
46. Game
47. Geodesics
48. G e o m e t r i c Shapes/Puzzles
49. Graph
50. Greeting Card
51. Guest Speaker
52. Haiku
53. How to Book
54. Illustrated Lecture
55. Illustrated Story
48. Taped Interview
49. Joke Lesson
50. Jigsaw Puzzle
51. Letter (Friendly Business, etc)
52. Letter to Editor
53. Limerick
54. List
55. Logic Puzzle
56. Metaphor
57. Mini-Center
58. Mobile
59. Model
60. Monologue
61. Movie Script
62. Mural
63. Museum
64. Newspaper Story
65. News Report
66. Oral Report
67. Pamphlet
68. Pantomime
69. Panel Discussion
70. Paper Folding
71. Pattern with instructions
72. Parody
73. Peep Show
74. Personal Experience
75. Photo Essay
76. Pictionary
77. Pictures with Info & Diagram
78. Pictures (photos) Album
79. Poem
80. Poster, Review Book, Movie, play, etc.
81. Project Cube
82. Puppet
83. Puppet Show
84. Recipe
85. Readers' Theater
86. Rebus Story
87. Reference Book
88. Rewrite from Point of View with 10 different endings
89. Sand Casting
90. Riddle Rules Sample Book
91. Scavenger Hunt
92. Science Fiction Story
93. Scrapbook
94. Seek and Find
95. Set  it  to  Music Shadow Play
96. Silhouette
97. Silk-screening
98. Skit
100. Soap Sculpture
101. Song (Original)
102. Songs (Collection)
103. Stage Set
104. Stained Glass
105. Stencil
106. Stitchery
107. Story
108. Summary
109. Survey
110. Telecast Test
111. Textbook
112. Terrarium
113. Timeline Translation
114. Transparency
115. Travelogue
116. TV Game Show
117. Video Tape
118. Vocabulary
119. Weaving
120. Window Shade Story, Game, Poster
121. Worksheet
122. Written Report
                                                Handout by Dr. Ruth Ann Marston
 
 

Integrated  Exhibitions  using Theatre/Drama  Activities

Exhibition  #1
Your school is preparing for the musical Wizard of Oz.  For the production, the director like would the Wicked Witch of the West to fly on and off stage.   The ceiling over your stage is too low however to allow flying of characters by traditional means.  Design and construct a sate, efficient, quiet way for flying the witch on a budget of fifty dollars.

Exhibition  #2
A character in The Mystery of Edwin Drood needs a functional, handheld, candle lantern for a prop.  Design and construct a safe and functional, 19th century replica of the lantern on a budget of ten dollars.

Exhibition  #3
Your school is severely overcrowded.  Your present auditorium is small and functionally confining for theatre productions.  A Building Needs Committee has been formed and is studying the possibilities for a new performing arts/large group assembly space.  One idea being studied is the possibility of converting the present gym space to an auditorium and building a new large gym. Research the needs for new performing arts space, calculate the suitability of converting the gym to performing arts space, and create drawings illustrating your findings.  Present your findings to the space needs committee.

Exhibition  #4
Study the evolution of your "hometown" area.  Chart the geological, biological, and cultural history using a variety of sources from as far back as you are able to the present.  Create a play portraying that history showing the connections between people, places, and ideas.

Exhibition  #5
Study the learning challenges of the characters in "The Boys Next Door."
Use that learning to create one of the characters in a 5-7 minute scene.

Exhibition  #6
Read Ibsen's An Enemy of the People.  Consider the ethical questions challenging Doctor Thomas Stockmann and the economic questions facing Peter Stockmann.  Create a scene centering on a contemporary ethical/environmental/economic conflict facing your community.
 
 

                                      Portfolio Grading System

Portfolios may include any or more than the following:
*Videotape Performances/Exercises
*Written Assignments
*Tests
*Quizzes
*Audiotape Performance/Exercises
 

Portfolios must include examples from these three skill categories:
 

Acting Technique - which includes: following stage directions, non-verbal communication, voice, diction, projection, movement, facial expression, stage combat, how to audition, use of props, etc.

Inner  Resources - which includes: concentration, imagination, improvisation, observation, sense recall, emotional recall, etc.

Evaluation/Analysis - which includes: critiquing of self, critiquing of others, evaluation of a play, character analysis, dramatic structure, play analysis, etc.
 
 
At the close of the semester, three (3) examples of each skill category will be included in the portfolio with an explanation from each student of what was included and why.
 
For each six weeks then, one (1) example of each skill category will need to be included in the portfolio for assessment.

 
 
                                       PORTFOLIO CONTENTS
What to put in student portfolios?

Response records             Writing sample                Journal entries
Learning logs             Tape of oral reading             Skills checklist
Edited writing             List of books read             Anecdotal records
Samples of work         Goals set by student         Work selected by student
Comments from peers         Self evaluations         Learning logs
Favorite books         Parent questionnaire         Copies of letters to parents
Reports for other teachers     Parent evaluation        Progress reports
 
 
 
                STUDENT SELF-EVALUATION
 
NAME                                                                     GRADE
THEME                                                                    DATE

The part I liked best was:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The most difficult part was:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

An interesting fact I learned was:
 
 
 
 

A suggestion for next time:
 
 
 
 
                                          CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Play Title
Author
Act/Scene
Character Name
Time Period
Season

Physical Characteristics
Age    Year born    Ethnicity    Nationality    General Health    Wealth    Social Class    Profession

Mental Characteristics
Intelligence    Education    Alertness    Awareness    Thinking Habits   Temperament  Mental Stability

What animal would be a good metaphor for this character? Why?
What machine?
What inanimate object?
What is your character's main objective in the scene?  Remember to start your answer with "I want...."
What is the conflict in the scene that keeps your character from achieving their objective?
What does your character do to get what they want?
Describe the set.
Describe the costuming.
What props are needed?

                                            List of Verbal Actions
to intrigue     to refute     to belittle    to frighten     to dismiss     to illustrate    to announce
to indulge     to continue    to acknowledge     to celebrate     to test    to distract
to reveal      to agree     to support    to plead     to confirm     to beg     to object
to denounce     to persuade     to appeal     to alter      to search     to remind
to defend (myself)     to blame     to scold     to chew out      to lecture    to soothe
to satisfy     to comfort     to probe     to impress   to vow     to identify with
to make excuses for     to examine     to ease     to pledge    to investigate     to deny
to promise     to flatter    to shut up     to describe    to justify     to disapprove     to cheer
to account for     to compromise     to commemorate    to infer     to tease     to praise
to recall     to flirt     to recommend     to degrade     to challenge     to imply    to suggest
to interrogate     to advise    to ridicule     to rationalize     to approve       to enthuse
to interest     to assure      to challenge    to mock     to specify     to insult     to threaten
to reproach     to reprimand
 

            FIRST MONOLOGUE EVALUATION

 Emotional Performance                                                         Points _____
____ Good job of making us know/feel what your character was feeling/thinking.
____  You needed to show more emotionally.
____ At times you didn't seem to understand what the character was feeling.
____ At times you didn't seem to understand why your character was saying/doing something.

Command of Language                                                          Points _____
_____ It was obvious you knew what you were saying and how to say it.
____ You needed better memorization.
____  Sometimes it sounded "read" and not "said".
____  You mispronounced some words.
____ You didn't seem to understand some of the words.
____ Sometimes it was hard to understand you.

Choice of Monologue Points
____This was a very good choice for you.
____  The character was too old/young for you.
____ The character was too different from you emotionally.
____ The character was too different from you physically.

Overall Performance
____  Good preparation & performance.
____ Nice performance, but next time put more effort into the preparation.
____ Nice preparation, but next time put more effort into the performance. Please work harder
         next time on both the preparation and performance.
 

TOTAL POINTS________

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
 
 

  CHARACTER ANALYSIS - FORMS AND FORMATS

Example 1

The title of the play with which I'm working is ____________________________________ and was written by ________________________  The character I portray is named _____________________________  The action of my scene takes place in the year _______.  My character was born in the year ________ making the character _______ years old at the time of the action.

Example 2

Answer the following questions in the space provided:

1. What is your character's main objective in the scene? (Remember to start your answer with "I want .....")

2. What is the conflict in the scene that keeps your character from achieving his/her objective?

3. List at least ten adjectives that describe the general qualities of your character during the scene:

1. ________________  2. ________________  3. ________________

4. ________________ 5. ________________  6. ________________
7. ________________ 8. ________________  9. ________________

10.________________
 

Example 3

Answer the following questions about your character:

1. General Health

2. Religious Background

3. Emotional Temperament
 

 OUTLINE FOR CHARACTER AND SCENE ANALYSIS

I. Title of Play, Author, Character
II. Analysis of Character
    A. "Who am I?"  Search for the character's life prior to the play's beginning--a biography. including family background, environment and relationships.
        1. What is the function of the character in the play?
        2. What characteristics or traits are most important?
        3. List all the adjectives you can think of to describe the character (at least 20).
    B. Physical Characteristics
        1. Race                                            6. Health
        2. Nationality                                    7. Carriage
        3. Type                                             8. Movements
        4. Age                                               9. Speech
        5. Strength                                        10. Dress
    C. Mental Characteristics
        1. Native Intelligence
        2. Thinking Habits
        3. Education
        4. Originality
        5. Alertness
        6. Awareness
    D. Emotional Characteristics
        1. Basic Attitudes: likes/dislikes towards life and towards other characters in the play
        2. Ways of meeting a crisis, conflict, or change in environment
        3. Sensitivity and responsiveness to others
        4. Capacity for deep feeling
        5. Stability
        6. Self--control
        7. Temperament (genial, domineering, etc.)
    B. Social Characteristics
        1. Social Class
        2. Economic Status
        3. Religion
        4. Profession/Daily Routine
 III. Suggestions for the Creation of characters
    A. Observation of actual persons--life is the source. (manner of walking, bodily attitude,
         certain gestures, facial expressions, type of voice, vocal patterns, inflection, quality and
         rhythm of speech, characteristics and peculiarities in speech, peculiarities in dress, etc.)
    B. Use symbols for suggesting human qualities
        1. Animals
        2. Machinery
        3. Objects
        4. One symbol predominates; what is the specific key image?
    C. Recall your own experiences and emotions.  Be inventive, use imagination, explore, then select.
IV. Analysis of Scene
    A. Dramatic action or purpose of the scene
        1. That do I want in the scene? (main objective)
        2. What do I do to get what I want? (action)
        3. That is any way? (obstacle/conflict)
        4. That essence in the character will help him/her get what he/she wants? (motivating force)
        5. That essence in the character will prevent him/her from getting what he/she wants?
            (tragic flaw)
    B. Find the separate units of action within the scene.
    C. Where is the climax or highest point of action?
 

    MONOLOGUE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
NAME_________________________                PLAY_______________________
CHARACTER___________________

SCALE 1 = Low  10 = Highest

PAPERWORK
1. Character Analysis                                        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10

REHEARSAL
2. Off Book                                                       1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10
3. Use of in-class rehearsal time                          1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10

CHARACTERIZATION
Voice - to reveal character

4. Projection                                                       1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10
5. Diction                                                            1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10
6. Vocal Variety                                                  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10

Physicalities - to reveal character
7. Facial Expressiveness                                        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10
8. Gesture                                                            1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10
9. Movement/blocking                                          1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10

Comments:
 
 

            PERFORMANCE WORK EVALUATION

1 = needs improvement            2 = fair          3 = good          4 = excellent         5 = superior
Write the appropriate number next to each question.

VOICE
Could you hear the actors distinctly?
Was the rate too fast or too slow?
Was there a variety of rate and inflection?
Was pronunciation and articulation properly done for each character?

MOVEMENT
Were the movements of the actor in keeping with the character?
Was there a great deal of random movement?
Did the actor seen to have a well-controlled, poised body?

CONCENTRATION
Did actors make eye-ccntact with one another?
Did the actor ever lose character?
Was an actor looking at something offstage?

MEMORIZATION
Did actors have to call for lines?
Did actors confidently speak lines?

INTRODUCTION
Could you understand the action when the scene began?
Did the introduction have any style or production qualities?

CHARACTERIZATION
Was there a complete bodily and mental recreation of character?
Did we "believe" the actor's characterization at all times?
Were emotional transitions natural and effective?
Were relationships established between characters?

TIMING
Did the actors pick up cues properly?
Did the movements of the actors slow down the tempo of the show?
Was the production static in places because the actors seemed to lack a correct sense of pace?
Was the piece within the allotted time limit for the class?
Did the group take an appropriate amount of time for setting up or striking scene?
 

    FIRST MONOLOGUE EVALUATION FORM

NAME _________________________                TOTAL POINTS______________

Well, here's how you did.   Remember this is just our first try at monologues and we all have lots more to learn.   Each section is worth 10 points. The grading scale is:   85-100 =A, 70-84=B, 55-69=C, 40-54=D. Notice the items which are checked below, they will help you improve for next time.  If an item ISN'T CHECKED, it means that for your first performance, you were good in that area.

                                                        PREPARATION
1. Play Summary                                                                        Points ______
            _____  Good summary.
            _____  You needed more details.

2. Character Analysis                                                                 Points ______
            ____  Good analysis.
            ____   You needed more details.

3. Monologue Breakdown                                                          Points______
            ____  Good breakdown.
            ____   You needed more details.

4. (Introduction)                                                                          Points ______
         ____ very effective introduction.
         ____ Relax, we're on your side.
         ____ Next time, please prepare what you're going to say before you get up.

                                                        PERFORMANCE
1. Believability                                                                            Points _____
        _____You were very believable.
        ____  Don't break character.
        ____  Some of your dialogue wasn't convincing.
        ____ At times, you didn't look like you meant what you said.

2. Physical Character                                                                  Points _____
        ____Good use of movement and gestures.
        ____You needed to use more movement.
        ____You needed to use more gestures.
        ____You have physical habits which distract the character.
        ____ Sometimes your body didn't agree with what your character was saying/feeling.

3. Vocal Performance                                                                 Points _____
        ____ Very effective use of your voice.
        ____ You needed more vocal variety.
        ____ You have vocal habits which distract from the character.
        ____ Sometimes the sound of your voice didn't agree with what your character was
                 saying/feeling.
        ____ Sometimes I couldn't hear you. Project more.
 

        MONOLOGUE EXERCISE EVALUATION

NAME ________________________                PLAY_____________________
CHARACTER___________________

1 =  poor    2 = fair    3 = good    4 = very good    5 = excellent

WRITTEN PREPARATION

Play Analysis _____
Character Analysis ______
Geture_______
Movement _______
Monologue______

REHEARSALS

Attendance_______
Warm-ups______
Efficient use of time_____
Speed run_______
4-5 line mini-performance______

PERFORMANCE

        Voice
Projection_______
Articulation______
Variety________

        Movement
Naturalness_______
Appropriateness_______

        Characterization
Physicalities_______
Suitable vocal quality______
Wardrobe selection______

Total Points _______
Additional Comments:  including risk-taking, creativity, etc.
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