Criticism: Performing the Play
There are many different kinds of performances. The actor
will have slightly different challenges for each. Here are:
Improvisation
Improvisation is doing the scene without a script, without memorizing
the lines. It is making up the dialogue and action as the scene happens.
Questions about Improvisation
1. Did the actors stay in character? When was their concentration
good? When could you believe them?
2. Did the actors listen to the other characters?
3. When could you hear what the actors were saying?
4. When did the dialogue answer what the other characters said? When did
the dialogue help tell the story? When did the dialogue let you know about
the characters?
5. When could you see what they were doing?
6. When did the action, what the actors did, help to tell the story? When
did they use the props in an interesting way?
7.
Did you understand the characters and their problem ... the meaning of the play?
Questions about the Acting
 
 
When actors improvise a scene they are acting, but here, we’re going
to think about performances that are based on a play script. These are
performances where the actors memorize their lines.
1. When did the actors stay in character, not loose concentration? When
actors are nervous, they can sometimes giggle, or stop “being”
the characters. That’s when it is important for them to concentrate,
to think just about the character and what is happening in the drama.
2. When did you believe they were with the people in the play?
3. Did they listen to the other characters and react to them? When could
you hear the actors? When did you believe what they said?
4. When could you see what the actors did? When did the action help tell
the story? When did it help you understand more about the characters?
5.
Did you understand the characters and their problem ... the meaning of the play?
Questions about Play Reading
In a play reading, the actors often sit in chairs in front of the audience.
Sometimes they stand behind lecterns so they can put the script in front
of them. This way it is easier for them to look at the audience and to
gesture, make hand and arm movements to help the audience understand how
the character is feeling.
Usually one actor reads a character. Sometimes when there are many characters
in a play, an actor may read the lines for several characters.
One actor reads the stage directions.
Play Reading Questions
As you practice your play reading, ask yourself:
1. Did the actors have enough volume? Where they loud enough to be heard?
2. Did they have good diction? Did they say the words clearly enough for
the audience to understand what they said?
3. Did the actors use vocal variety? Did they use a loud or soft, high
or low voice to fit the meaning of the play? Did they read slowly or quickly
to make the play more interesting?
4. Did the actors use gestures that fit the character? Did they use hand
and arm movements that suggested what their character was thinking and
feeling?
5. Did they use eye contact as much as possible? Did the actors look at
the audience to keep their attention?
Questions about Storytelling
If possible, videotape your storytelling. Watch the tape. Ask yourself
these questions. Make changes so your story will be even better. Then
tell your story to another audience to see if you can be the best storyteller
possible.
If you can’t videotape, ask your teacher, parent or friend to listen
to your story. Ask them these questions.
Questions to ask yourself about your storytelling
1. Was the story clear?
2. Did I add interesting details?
3. Could I hear everything?
4. Did I use vocal variety? Was my voice interesting and exciting? Did
I talk louder and softer, faster and slower, higher and lower to help
the audience know what was happening?
5. Did I use gesture to make the story more interesting? Did I use hand
and arm movements to suggest what was happening in the story and what
my characters were thinking and feeling?
6. Did I have good eye contact? Did I look at my audience?
  
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