FINAL EXAM Theatre Themes Project Instructions – Honky
Purpose: To understand this project is to demonstrate your knowledge of theatre terminology and the production team responsibilities. You will demonstrate your analysis skills and use them to create and design for a production.
You will assume several production team members for a mock performance of the play Honky by Greg Kalleres, Winner of the 2013 Emerging Playwright Award. The project will count for your Final Exam grade in the course. For this project you will read the play and assume the role of the director, publicity manager and the costume design.
This project has multiple parts so be sure to read the directions carefully. To ensure that you are on track, print the project instructions.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
1. Read the play
2. Play Reading Notes
3. Reaction Journal
4. Cast List
5. Poster Design
6. Program
7. 2 Costume Designs
➢ All artwork used must be your original work.
➢ A bibliography is required to document all resources used including but not limited to written and electronic sources.
➢ The bibliography must be in MLA style.
➢ You must include a justification of your designs/decisions.
DIRECTIONS:
1. READ THE PLAY Honky, Winner of the 2013 Emerging Playwright Award, by Greg Kalleres.
a. Watch this 8-minute video or read the transcript of an interview with the playwright Greg Kalleres to help you understand the motivation for creating this play. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/honky
b. Plays are not meant to just be read. They are meant to be performed. To get a better understanding of the play and the comedic timing of the lines, it is suggested that you contact your classmates and arrange a virtual reading of the script. You also watch a few clips of the production from the PBS Onstage America series https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/honky .
2. PLAY READING NOTES (Worth 18 points)- As you read the play make a list of the events of the play.
a. Identify the following:
1. Exposition
2. Conflict
3. Climax
4. Denouement
5. Genre
6. Characters
List of characters – brief description of their age, appearance, and personalities
Identify the protagonist and antagonist
7. Set – different scene locations, time of day, time of year, set requirements, etc…
8. Scene summary – what happens in each scene in your own words.
Save your file in this format: Course-Class#-Final-Student Last Name-Project 1
Ex: THE2000-9466-Final-Gittings-Project1
3. REACTION JOURNAL (Worth 12 points) – Think about the production through the eyes of the director.
a. Write a paragraph (7-10 complete sentences) describing your reaction to the play.
b. Here a few questions to help guide you on what to discuss in your reaction journal.
1. Were there characters, scenes that you could relate to? What were the similarities?
2. What specific lines, characters, or scenes grabbed your attention or caused a reaction within you?
3. Were you confused about any portions of the play?
4. What topics are present in the play?
5. Where did you find incidents related to discrimination?
6. What is the theme, overall message of the play?
Save your file in this format: Course-Class#-Final-Student Last Name-Project2
Ex: THE2000-9466-Final-Gittings-Project2
4. CAST LIST (WORTH 35 POINTS): Think about the production through the eyes of the director. Who would you include in your ideal cast of this production? You may select famous Broadway or Hollywood actors.
a. Create a chart that includes:
1. Character name – Cast all 8 characters. Take into consideration that the actors that play Dr. Driscoll and Kid 1 must be able to play different roles. Chose and actor that would be suited for the additional parts.
2. Character Notes: The script provides you with some details about the characters. Write down the character description included in the script. After you have read to play add some additional details about the characters based on what they say and what other characters say about them in the play.
Include relationships with each other and their surroundings
3. Actor – name of the famous Broadway or Hollywood actor you selected
4. Justification – Using information from the script and your knowledge of the acting skills of the actor you selected, justify, and explain each of your choices. Each justification should be a minimum of 5-7 complete sentences.
CHARACTER
CHARACTER
NOTES
ACTOR YOU CHOSE
ACTOR IMAGE
JUSTIFICATION
Save your file in this format: Course-Class#-Final-Student Last Name-Project 3
Ex: THE2000-9466-Final-Gittings-Project3
5. POSTER DESIGN (WORTH 40 POINTS): Think about the production through the eyes of the publicity manager. Review your director assignments then design and digitally create a poster advertisement for the play.
TIPS:
1. Research show posters.
2. Research local theatres in the area where you live.
3. Be creative.
a. Poster design on 8½ x 11 size paper
b. Include:
1. Name of the company producing the show (name your own theatre company)
2. Logo/cover art
Image representing the play
Should be the same as program
3. Play title and playwright name
4. Production dates, times, and venue
Create a set of dates and select a local theatre in your area.
5. Ticket prices and how to purchase them
c. FREE Online Design resources
1. Canva Poster Design
2. Adobe Spark
Save your file in this format: Course-Class#-Final-Student Last Name-Project4
Ex: THE2000-9466-Final-Gittings-Project4
6. PROGRAM (WORTH 45 POINTS): Think about the production through the eyes of the publicity manager. Review your director assignments and your publicity manager poster then design and digitally create a program for the play.
a. TIPS:
1. Research show programs.
2. Research local theatres in the area where you live.
3. Be creative.
b. Program design on 8½ x 11 or 8½ x 14 size paper
c. Include:
1. Logo/cover art
Image representing the play
Should be the same as poster design
2. Show Dates/Times
Should be the same as poster design
3. Play title and playwright name
4. Cast list
Should be same as Director Cast List assignment
a. Do not include justifications but you should include image.
5. ‘Producer’s Note’ – at least a paragraph
This note is to the audience
a. Why should they see the production?
b. Why is it important?
c. What do you want the audience to take away from it?
d. Include anything else you think necessary for the program
6. FREE Design resource
Microsoft Word Templates (School Performance Program)
SPECIAL NOTE: A program would also include Designers, Technicians, and Crew Members. This is not required for the purpose of this assignment.
Save your file in this format: Course-Class#-Final-Student Last Name-Project5
Ex: THE2000-9466-Final-Gittings-Project5
7. COSTUME DESIGN (WORTH 50 POINTS): Think about the production through the eyes of the costume designer. Review your director assignments then design and draw or digitally create costumes for two characters in the play. Select two different characters to create a costume design for. If a character has a costume change you only may not create an additional design for the change. Pay attention to what the playwright has stated about the character. Think about the time of year, time of day, location, personality, occupation, etc. of the character to form your design choices. You must scan or take a picture of your designs and upload them.
a. Two full-colored renderings. Accurate to the time period (as close as possible).
b. Each design must be executed in full color.
c. All figures must be 10″ tall.
1. Children and unique characters may be varied in size but need to be in proportion to the 10″ high standard.
d. A human figure may be traced to use as a template upon which a costume creation may then be placed.
e. Tracing a costume outline or silhouette is unacceptable.
f. The character renderings may or may not have drawn faces.
g. Rendering should include the following information:
1. Character name (and actor you selected)
2. Play title and playwright
3. Scene
4. Scene time of day/year
5. Costume Designer name or signature (you)
6. Date
h. Design Statement – Include separately from the renderings
1. Briefly explain your design choices for the characters clothing. Connect specific references from the play to explain your design.
SPECIAL NOTE: You will be graded on your design choices, not your drawing ability. Your choices should be appropriate for the character and the scene.
Save your file in this format: Course-Class#-Final-Student Last Name-Project6
Ex: THE2000-9466-Final-Gittings-Project6
SPECIAL PROJECT NOTE: If you are interested in acting out a monologue or scene (with your classmates), contact the professor to discuss options.