Communications Question

Description

• Essay Formatting (20% of Grade)
  All essays must adhere to the following formatting guidelines.
  • Double-spaced
  • 1-inch margins on all sides
  • 12 pt. Arial font
  • Title, centered, on the first page
  • Page numbers in the upper right-hand corner.
  • Your name, the course name and number, the instructor’s name, and the date in the upper left-hand corner of the first page
  • Indent all new paragraphs; pay attention to transitions from one paragraph to the next
  • Cite any (ANY) information taken from any outside source. Information that is not created by you and that is not cited is plagiarized material.
• Essay Content (80% of Grade)
  All essays must adhere to the following content guidelines.
  • The essay should consist of 5 paragraphs.
  • The minimum length requirement is 1.5 pages.
  • Each paragraph should consist of an introductory statement. At least three supporting statements with detailed examples from what you observed in the performance and a closing statement. Respond with a paragraph or more for each of the prompts below.
• 
  
  Set and Props Design
  Discuss how the set helped create the world of the play. Consider how aspects like line, dimension, and balance were used to create a visually coherent space that enhanced the narrative. Consider the movement of actors around the set, their use of hand props, and how the blocking integrated with the scenery. How did the strategic use of set pieces—such create various settings?
  What does the set reveal about the characters? How does it reflect the broader themes of the play? Is the set design primarily realistic or abstract? Does this choice impact your understanding of the theme or the setting? How did set use balance? Examine how the actors interacted with the props. Did this minimalist design allow for more audience imagination and involvement in the narrative?
  How did the design’s simplicity or detail affect your perception of the story? Provide at least 3 specific examples from what you noticed in the production to illustrate how these elements were applied.
  
  
  Lighting Design
  Examine how the lighting was used to focus the audience’s attention on specific characters or actions. In what ways did spotlights or other lighting instruments highlight the emotional journeys of key characters like Captain Ahab? How did lighting transitions help emphasize character entrances, exits, or moments of revelation? Consider the use of color to underscore the character’s internal struggle or obsession. Analyze how the lighting design contributed to the settings and atmosphere of Moby Dick Rehearsed. How did the light design use color and visual texture? Discuss how different types of lighting (such as spotlights, floodlights, or footlights) were used to evoke emotions, create tension, or establish the setting. For instance, consider moments where the lighting enhanced feelings of isolation, danger, or obsession. Were there moments of Motivated Light and Non-Motivated Light? Did you notice any use of gobos or gels? Reference specific scenes where lighting played a key role in shaping the mood.
  
  Directing and Acting
  Analyze how the director’s concept influenced the overall presentation of Moby Dick Rehearsed. In your essay, discuss specific choices in blocking and picturization. How did these choices contribute to the characterization and themes of the play? Incorporate relevant terms to enhance your analysis. The ensemble plays a crucial role in this production. Moby Dick Rehearsed explores deep themes of obsession, revenge, and humanity. Analyze how these themes were conveyed through the performance. Focus on the interactions between Captain Ahab and the crew, and how the actors portrayed the emotional weight of these themes. Use specific scenes from the performance to illustrate your points.
  
  Examine how one actor’s interpretation of a character in Moby Dick Rehearsed impacted your understanding of the role. Focus on vocal choices, physicality, and interactions with other characters. How did these performance choices either align with or challenge your expectations of the character? Be sure to reference specific moments in the performance.
  
  Discuss how the actors worked together as a cohesive unit to bring the story to life. Consider their use of space, synchronization, and collective energy. How did their performance contribute to the central themes of the play? Provide specific examples from the performance.
  
  
  Sound Design
  Analyze how the sound design in Moby Dick Rehearsed contributed to the atmosphere and the overall narrative. Discuss how different elements of sound, such as ambient noise, sound effects, and musical cues, enhanced the emotional tone of the play. Consider how specific sound effects—like the sounds of the sea, the ship’s creaking, or the whale’s presence—were used to heighten tension or underscore key moments in the story.
  Additionally, reflect on how the sound design influenced your understanding of the characters or themes. Did certain sound elements symbolize aspects of Captain Ahab’s obsession or the crew’s fear? How did the use of silence or the absence of sound in key moments create emotional impact or draw attention to the characters’ internal struggles? Be sure to provide specific examples from the production to support your analysis.
  
  Costume & Makeup Design
  Examine how costume design and stage makeup design contributed to the characterization and storytelling in Moby Dick Rehearsed. Discuss how the costumes reflected the personality, status, or emotional state of the characters. Were certain costume elements (such as color, texture, or style) used to emphasize key themes, such as obsession or the harshness of life at sea? How did the choice of costumes impact your understanding of the setting and time period? Additionally, analyze how stage makeup was used to enhance or alter the actors’ physical appearance. How did the makeup design help convey the age, experience, or emotional state of the characters? Did it contribute to the believability of the characters or the overall visual aesthetic of the production? Consider moments where makeup or costumes played a crucial role in distinguishing characters, adding depth to their portrayal, or reinforcing thematic elements of the play. Provide specific examples from the production to support your analysis.