The document provides a structured critique template for analyzing a theatrical performance, guiding the reviewer through various elements like theatre type, plot, themes, actor performances, and design elements. It emphasizes note-taking before, during, and after the performance to capture the experience effectively. Additionally, it asks for personal reflections on the director's vision, audience reactions, and the overall impact of the play.

1. [Type the document title]
[Type the date]
TA 20 - Critique, Analysis & Observations of Theatrical
Elements of Production Attended
CRITIQUE # _____ TOTAL /35 POINTS
Name __________________________ Report Date
_________________________
Name of Play
___________________________________________________
Performance Date
_______________________________________________
Venue of Play
___________________________________________________
Director __________________________ Genre
______________________
(2 point)
1. What type of theatre? How did the overall space affect the
play, the actors, the audience?
(3 points)
2. What is the play about? The plot/structure – use Freytag’s
Pyramid
(5 points)

2. 3. What is the overall theme/main message & objective? (5
points)
Give specific examples that support your idea.
4. Describe the actor’s performances & character interaction:
Use both actor’s real name & character portrayed (5 points)
5. Detail the design elements & how they supported/or did not
support the overall production:
(5 points)
6. In your opinion, what was the director’s vision? Was the
vision achieved? Give examples to substantiate your opinion.
(5 points)
7. How was your performance experience? What was the
audience’s experience:
(5 points)
[Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
Upload Finished Critique to Turnitin Prior to Due Date
Bring program, tickets and completed Worksheet to Class
Name: __________________________________
Critique # ______
Date: __________________________________ TOTAL
______/ 20 Points
Production: _______________________________
Worksheet for Theatre-Going & Preparation for Critique
Remember: Do not try to write an essay or even any fully

3. developed statements while you are watching the performance;
that would defeat the whole purpose of theatre-going. Use hard
copy and hand write notes.
Notes Before the Performance –
Impressions of the Theatre
a. Jot down three adjectives that describe the atmosphere of the
theatre.
b. What kind of theatre is it: proscenium, thrust, arena, found
space?
c. Is the audience - house full or the seating sparse?
d. Can you see the playing space before the performance
begins?
e. If you can see the playing space, what are your impressions
about the scenery? What does it seem to suggest about the
production? (Just jot down a few adjectives that reflect your
first impressions.)
Read the Program
(usually has Director’s, Design Team, Cast, Crew Names – brief
bios, Director’s Notes, mini-exposition, highlights)
a. Jot down when and where the play is set, and any other
information you have gleaned from the program.
b. Read any notes in the program and underline three sentences,
which you believe will help you better, understand the
production.
c. Underline any historical information in the program about the
play or playwright.
Notes During Intermission
1. What did you learn in the first few opening scenes – about
the exposition and overall theme and/or conflict?

4. 2. Who are the central characters (protagonist/antagonist)? With
whom does this character conflict? Write down their names.
3. For each of the characters you have just named, jot down
three adjectives that describe his or her personality and physical
attributes.
4. For each of the characters you have named, write down three
adjectives to describe how you feel about the performance of
the actor playing him or her.
5. Briefly describe a specific moment or scene that you thought
was particularly dramatic, effective, or significant.
6. Jot down three adjectives that reflect your impressions about
each of the following.
Scenery:
Costumes:
Lighting:
7. Write one word or one short phrase which best describes the
world of the play (for instance, absurd, unceasingly violent,
repressed, uncontrollably cruel, sentimentally romantic,
constantly hilarious.)
8. Have any audience members been asked to participate in
some way? If so, describe how; also, describe your own
reaction.

5. 9. Is the applause weak & lifeless or strong & thunderous? Is
the laughter dutiful or helpless? Is the audience rapt with
interest or merely listening politely? Is the audience enjoying
the play as much as you are or feeling the same about it?
Notes After the Performance
1. List your initial responses to each of the production elements.
Indicate whether you like or dislike each element, and provide
an adjective, which expresses why you like or dislike it.
(Remember that it is these initial responses you will have to
defend your paper.)
2. Review your intermission notes. After the intermission (or
after each intermission, if there was more than one), have you
changed your opinion about any of the production elements? If
so, jot down what changed.
3. Write down what the high point of the action/CLIMAX seems
to have been and what resolution of the conflict, if any, has
occurred.
4. Have any characters changed between the beginning and the
conclusion of the action? If so, provide an adjective or a short
phrase to describe the character at the outset of the action and
another adjective or phrase to describe him or her after the

6. change.
5. Does anything about the play or the production puzzle or
confuse you? If so, jot it down.
6. Did the acting seem believable? What contributed to this?
Did the characters seem like real people? Did you feel for their
predicament? How so? Empathize with their feelings? Why?
Care what happened to them? Jot down a few specifics.
6. On this basis of this experience, would you go to the theatre
again? Yes or no?
7. Did the Director accomplish their vision? Was the play
cohesive? Which elements played the most important role in
helping you understand and/or enjoy or feel disappointed in the
experience?

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