Cheng,+James


 * There are important differences between __And the Soul Shall Dance__ and the video illustrations linked to the schedule page demonstrating "realism" in the European, English and American theatre. Briefly discuss a few of them that you consider the most important.**

Realism, although seemingly specific, can be accomplished by the playwright in different styles.

The writer of //And the Soul Shall Dance// came from a different cultural background than her European counterparts so there are a few major differences between the portrayal of reality in the //And the Soul Shall Dance// and in the video samples from European realism plays. Yamauchi lived during a time with an “extremely prejudicial attitude toward [Asian] people” (1) and her play reflects her experiences. The events in the play are hugely object driven and the characters are all of a lower socioeconomic level than the characters in the video samples who, for the most part, talk to their servants and reside in physically sound homes that they own.

The difference that I find most prevalent is the amount of culture that //And The Soul Shall Dance// contains. There are elements from Asian and American cultures that are fused together with objects with symbolic meaning; the problems that are faced by the characters are multicultural. The European plays strictly contained elements from their local culture and addressed problems within their culture.

The writing of realism largely depends on the experiences and culture of the playwright because the author tries to capture the reality in their work. These cultural differences color the content of their works and create different styles of realism.

Word count: 231
 * 1) Arnold. //Creative Spirit//. Page 217


 * In debate, there is usually a question that is posed for debaters to answer. It is stated in the form of a resolution. So is the following question in which you may take either the affirmative or the negative position."Resolved, directing is a more important art and craft than acting."**

Directing is an undeniably important role in the rehearsal and production of the performance, however acting is the fundamental element in a performance. There simply cannot be a show if there is no actor. The actor “brings the…characters to life and secures the vital connection to the audience” (1) while the director gives the performance a sense of direction and serves as the decision maker in how things should be done. The craft of directing is by no means easy as a director organizes the production team into a collaborating unit; in short, the director envisions and creates the stage around the actor. The actor has the challenging task of analyzing their character, internally or externally, and creating a physical manifestation of the fictional character for audiences to believe. Also, in the early days of the theatre, the actors had no director to lead their performances and the imagination of the audience was imperative to the success and understanding of the performance. In today’s age, engaging the imagination of the audience is still the crucial factor in creating a successful play. The director’s job is to help stimulate the imagination however it was proven, in the ages past, that actors do not need backgrounds, lighting, etc., to engage the audience’s imagination and produce a successful play The actor is who truly connects and engages the audience, while the director is tasked with facilitating this connection. Thus, I believe that acting is the most crucial art in the world of theater.

Word count: 250 Reference: 1. Arnold. //Creative Spirit//. p 135


 * Your text offers suggestion on two basic approaches to acting, ie. the internal and the external. Chose either one and take the scene between Emily and George as your reference point and develop a fragment of "inner monologue" OR tactic concerning interpretation underlying a short section from the scene. I suggest the men choose to deal with George and the women choose to deal with Emily, although if you wish you may choose to develop an "inner monologue" or "external tactic" for either character. You may use up to 500 words for this module, given the complexity of the requirement. Be sure you let me know exactly which section of dialogue you plan to use for developing your answer.**

I am choosing to develop an analysis from the perspective of George on his dialogue with Emily on page 51 using the external approach. George is attempting to have a personal and very momentous conversation with Emily to shed light on their dynamic relationship. “Say, Bob, if I’m a little late, start practice, and give Herb some long high ones.”- George. George has just been elected to another leadership position and along with his position as team captain on the baseball team; it is safe to say that he feels that he has achieved much in the advancement of his social and athletic standing. However, he lacks somebody to share his achievements with which makes his accomplishments almost meaningless. Through his instructions telling Bob to start practice, he is telling Emily that he is devoting his attention to her for the next x amount of time. He feels like he should repair some sort of damage that weakened his bond with Emily through this quote “(hurt) Emily, why are you mad at me?...you’ve been treating me funny lately”; he is opening himself up so show her that the nature of their relationship is meaningful to him and this quote also serves as a way to address his love for her. When George realizes that Emily senses that he has changed because of his titles and positions George reacts “-a change?- wha-what do you mean?...I guess it’s hard for a fella not to have a few faults creep into his character”; it shows surprise and his willingness to adapt his character to better function as a potential partner for Emily. Throughout this exchange, George demonstrates his sincere longing to establish a romantic relationship with Emily. He is a successful leader and so he is the driving force behind the conversation because Emily seems reluctant to reveal her true feelings toward him at first. Although seemingly confident in himself, there is also a feeling of nervousness as there always is when truly leaving oneself vulnerable to another. Also George quickly address the “extra” characters in the scene, such as Miss Corcoran, gives off the feeling that he wants to delve into his planned exchange with Emily before he loses his nerve or before something changes his mind.

Word count: 375


 * Contrast and compare the role and purpose of secular drama and theatre as an expression of the communities from which it arose and for which it has served with that of religious and ritual drama and theatre**

(GOOD ANSWER FOR THE MOST PART. NOTE SOME OF THE THINGS I SUGGEST) The secular theatre and the religious theatre both have very similar components such as actors, playwrights, stages, etc., but yet they can almost be viewed as two entirely separate things. The ideals, focuses, and messages that the performance conveys divide the secular theatre and the religious theatre.

The religious theatre was a true community event where all members of the community (HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT ALL DID?) contributed in some way or the other. These performances were scheduled around specific dates that corresponded with religious events and the “normal life of the community stopped to allow the presentation of plays” (Arnold p.26). The purposes of these plays were to enforce social order, emphasize moral behavior and to exhibit that the community was devout and grateful to their spiritual deity.

The secular theatre developed after the religious theatre and was a more private event; the community could choose whether to go and see the play or simply ignore its presence. The actors, directors and play writers were professional and performed for a living rather than “volunteers” from the community. Also, the purposes of these plays were to exhibit the “ambitions and the …changes in the worldview of the age” (Arnold p.26). The performances had nothing to do with praising a deity, but simply (WELL PERHAPS NOT SIMPLY) to entertain.(PERHAPS THEY WERE MEANT TO EDUCATE, DON'T YOU THINK?)

The secular theatre and the religious theatre served two entirely different purposes. The religious theatre served to convey religious beliefs and broad concepts while the secular theatre focused on the introspective turmoil of the character. (ARE YOU SURE THAT THE LAST FEW WORDS OF THE PREVIOUS SENTENCE ARE CORRECT OR TRUE?) The members of the performing group (actors, musicians etc.) had more specialized roles in the secular theatre (I'M NOT PARTICULARLY SURE THAT WHAT YOU HAVE SAID HERE IS REALLY TRUE. DIDN'T THOSE WHO DANCE AND THOSE WHO SANG, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WATCHED SERVE VERY DIFFERENT PURPOSES?) than in their religious theatre counterparts, however, their functions were inherently the same.

Word count: 273

Reference:
 * 1) Arnold. //Creative Spirit//, p. 26