The goal of theatre is to tell stories of the human condition, hold a mirror up to society, provoke thought and self-reflection, question the world around us, and develop an audiences’ sense of empathy – all while entertaining. The larger goal of Script Analysis is to look at how we mine the text in order to take the words given to us by a playwright and put them on stage so that they, in turn, have the power to impact an audience in these ways.
Course Objectives
1. Read and analyze plays from a variety of authors and time periods.
2. Investigate circumstances, facts, actions, themes, characters, and literary devices within a script.
3. Contemplate and discuss how various analytical discoveries might translate into the design, direction, and performance of a play.
4. Apply research to provide contextual understanding of the play, playwright, time period and social issues.
5. Develop an overall understanding and practical approach to translating a play from the page to the stage while remaining truthful to the author’s intent.
6. Apply what is on the page to the stage to:
- impact an audience and encourage them to take action.
- provide a lens in which to promote diversity of thought.
- educate audiences on experiences outside themselves.
- promote healing, create empathy, and uplift humanity.
Example Course Material and Context
Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen – Issue of marriage equality, women’s rights, societal conventions and expectations
The Flick by Annie Baker – Racism, economic inequalities, sexuality, mental health
August Osage County by Tracy Letts – Mental health, substance abuse, emotional trauma, economic depression
Sweat by Lynn Nottage – Racism, economic inequalities, political oppositions, judicial inequalities
Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez – Racism, economic and judicial inequalities
Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein – Gender identity, sexuality, economic inequalities