The Practical Performance proposal
Task Completion:
Have you....
- Presented a performance concept and clear onstage vision?
- Considered the audience impact?
- Indicated what actually happens on stage?
- Understood the process of “mis en scene” (view Mise en Scene handout)?
- Demonstrated a coherent and feasible interpretation with justified choices and envisioned a performance concept?
- Used illustrated material in a relevant, selective and appropriate manner?
- Used performance and production elements / principles relevant to the tasks?
- Communicated the journey and phases of the creative process from stimulus to proposal?
- Commented on the wider theoretical context of the performance based on personal research, experience and personal perspective?
- Connected to established practitioners/traditions where relevant?
- Acknowledged influence, inspiration, imitation and information where relevant?
Required PPP Sections
- Title page (Title of Play, stimulus chosen in centre; your name, candidate number, course, level, session, school)
- Table of Contents
- Section 1: Pitch (include word count). View Pitch checklist for guidelines.
- Section 2: Supporting Material:
Exploration of Stimuli
Your exploration of your stimuli can be presented in a a variety of ways:
Exploration of Possible Themes
Detailed exploration of possible themes that you could explore within a performance, which should help you narrow it down to one.
Once you have detailed which theme you wish to explore within your performance, explore/research this theme in further detail. You should justify and explain your choice of theme by reasserting the link between the theme and stimulus and linking it to possible performance/theatre ideas.
The evidence of your exploration can be presented in a variety of ways. (See list above.)
Exploration of possible theatre styles/practices
Exploration of possible theatre style/world practices that could be used to communicate your chosen theme/ideas within your performance.
This exploration must be analytical and critical. Consider how each style succeeds (or does not succeed) in effectively communicating your narrative/theme/message.
Initial Performance Concept/Director’s vision
Storyboard/Plot /Scene listing
Character List/Profiles
You must include a character list and detailed character profiles which discuss their personality traits of the characters and their relationships with others.
On-stage Action
On-stage action (what happens on stage) must be referenced clearly within your portfolio. On-stage is how the actors perform on stage to convey meaning to the audience. You will see various references to on-stage action throughout Ellie's PPP.
Examples
'As Richard loosens his time him and Alice freeze in tableaux.'
'She slowly walks towards the stairs beckoning Richard to follow.'
'Billy exits down stage right'
'Alice is left lying on the sofa and the last flashback appears'
Always explain on-stage action and make connections to theme/message/stimulus where possible.
Performance Space (Click for further resources)
Set Design/Set Pieces/Props (Click for further resources)
Your set design should compliment your chosen performance space (thrust, proscenium etc...)
It is a vital part of the production process and functions to provide the setting for your characters, to reinforce the message and or/themes within the play and must compliment the chosen style of your play.
You must consider the relationship between the set and the actors and the set and the audience.
These notes about effective set design, from the Arts Alive website are particularly useful to consider:
Since the set is generally the first element of a production that the audience sees, its job is to convey the information needed to launch the story. It should not try to tell the audience where the story is going, or anticipate the end.
An effective scenic design (partnered with a great lighting design) helps the audience see and hear the play better by telling them where to look and whom to listen to. The audience’s focus should be the actor in space.
The audience will enjoy and understand the play much more clearly if:
In your Set Design section, consider the elements and principles of design:
BALANCE: in design, harmonious or satisfying of parts of elements. Weighing down one side of the stage with too may set pieces creates an imbalance.
PROPORTION: like balance, but related to the size difference between set pieces.
RHYTHM: a regular or harmonious pattern created by using balance and proportion.
UNITY/CONTRAST: ordering of all elements in a work of art so that each contributes to a unified aesthetic.
FOCUS/EMPHASIS: where a designer wants the audience to look.
This section in your portfolio should contain research and exploration. E.g. Images of set pieces representing the period and location; set design of plays of the same style etc...
It should also include budget considerations. How would the design change if the budget was restricted and what impact would this have on the production?
Discuss the relationship between the actors, set and the audience. Consider sightlines and where you would like your audience's focus to be.
Lighting Design (Click for further resources)
In your lighting design, you should also consider the elements and principles of design (Some of you covered this in Year 11):
BALANCE: in design, harmonious or satisfying of parts of elements. Weighing down one side of the stage with too may set pieces creates an imbalance.
RHYTHM: a regular or harmonious pattern created by using balance and proportion.
UNITY/CONTRAST: ordering of all elements in a work of art so that each contributes to a unified aesthetic.
FOCUS/EMPHASIS: where a designer wants the audience to look.
Questions to consider:
Sound Design: Use of live music, recorded music, sound effects, soundscapes and silence.
Consider how sound can be used during your piece to:
Remember that silence and use of pause can be just as powerful as a piece of music.
Explain and justify your choices clearly, considering the relationship with movement, dialogue etc... and the relationship with other design elements such as lighting.
Link your sound choices to your chosen theatre style/s.
Recorded music can be included in your portfolio on a CD.
Costume Design (Click for further resources)
Stage costumes can provide audiences with information about a character's occupation, social status, gender, age, sense of style and tendencies towards conformity or individualism. As well, costumes can:
Costume designs also need to include any accessories such as canes, hats, gloves, shoes, jewelry or masks. These costume props add a great deal of visual interest to the overall costume design. They are often the items that truly distinguish one character from another.
You should make clear links between the character profiles and your costume designs. Your choice of colours, texture, patterns, style and fitting must communicate something about the character to the audience. Ensure that your designs are in colour and are annotated with justifications for your creative decisions. Include fabric swatches if possible.
Your costume designs must be supported by research, which needs to be evidenced in your portfolio. Ensure that you link this research to your final designs.
Make Up Design (Click for further resources)
Your exploration of your stimuli can be presented in a a variety of ways:
- Mind Maps
- Answer Gardens
- Flow charts
- Sketches
- Images
- Collages
- Photos
- Note taking
- Annotated extracts (script, book, newspaper. song lyrics)
- Tables
- Mood Boards
Exploration of Possible Themes
Detailed exploration of possible themes that you could explore within a performance, which should help you narrow it down to one.
Once you have detailed which theme you wish to explore within your performance, explore/research this theme in further detail. You should justify and explain your choice of theme by reasserting the link between the theme and stimulus and linking it to possible performance/theatre ideas.
The evidence of your exploration can be presented in a variety of ways. (See list above.)
Exploration of possible theatre styles/practices
Exploration of possible theatre style/world practices that could be used to communicate your chosen theme/ideas within your performance.
This exploration must be analytical and critical. Consider how each style succeeds (or does not succeed) in effectively communicating your narrative/theme/message.
Initial Performance Concept/Director’s vision
- After you have identified your chosen theme develop your performance ideas even further to develop a refined performance concept.
- Explain clearly the message you would like to communicate throughout your piece of theatre.
- Endeavor to clearly link this message to your stimulus and theme. What do you want to achieve? What is the intended impact on you audience?
- Decide upon a title for your play. Explain and justify choice.
- What is the structure of your performance? (How may acts etc? Always explain choice.)
- What theatre styles/techniques/world practices will be used? Explain this choice in detail. REMEMBER ONE DOMINANT STYLE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS ASSESSMENT, SO YOU MAY USE MORE THAN ONE.
- Synopsis-What is going to happen?
Storyboard/Plot /Scene listing
- Your PPP must include a breakdown of your performance. What is going to happen in each scene? This can be presented in a variety of ways. Have a look at the samples I have given you.
- It is important that the examiner gains a clear insight into the structure, characters, and narrative of your performance. Avoid writing a complete script, though you may want to write script extracts in other parts of your portfolio to explain creative decisions.
- You may want to take the opportunity to explore on-stage action within this section. (See below)
Character List/Profiles
You must include a character list and detailed character profiles which discuss their personality traits of the characters and their relationships with others.
On-stage Action
On-stage action (what happens on stage) must be referenced clearly within your portfolio. On-stage is how the actors perform on stage to convey meaning to the audience. You will see various references to on-stage action throughout Ellie's PPP.
Examples
'As Richard loosens his time him and Alice freeze in tableaux.'
'She slowly walks towards the stairs beckoning Richard to follow.'
'Billy exits down stage right'
'Alice is left lying on the sofa and the last flashback appears'
Always explain on-stage action and make connections to theme/message/stimulus where possible.
Performance Space (Click for further resources)
- Explore which performance space would work best for your production.
- Discuss multiple options before finalizing your decision.
- Ensure that you justify and explain why your chosen performance space would be the most effective way to present your production, making reference to your narrative, theatre style, message, audience relationship etc...
Set Design/Set Pieces/Props (Click for further resources)
Your set design should compliment your chosen performance space (thrust, proscenium etc...)
It is a vital part of the production process and functions to provide the setting for your characters, to reinforce the message and or/themes within the play and must compliment the chosen style of your play.
You must consider the relationship between the set and the actors and the set and the audience.
These notes about effective set design, from the Arts Alive website are particularly useful to consider:
Since the set is generally the first element of a production that the audience sees, its job is to convey the information needed to launch the story. It should not try to tell the audience where the story is going, or anticipate the end.
An effective scenic design (partnered with a great lighting design) helps the audience see and hear the play better by telling them where to look and whom to listen to. The audience’s focus should be the actor in space.
The audience will enjoy and understand the play much more clearly if:
- The set allows action to fall within the sightlines of the particular theatre.
- The doors and windows through which actors move are positioned for maximum visibility.
- The set focuses areas where characters group or specific action is played through careful locating, creating levels, or delivering strong architectural detail that directs the eye.
- Colour conveys mood and style accurately; a set for a comedy tends to use brighter colours than a set for a highly charged drama or tragedy.
- Period and location are as accurate as needed to help place the story, without overwhelming it with unnecessary detail.
In your Set Design section, consider the elements and principles of design:
BALANCE: in design, harmonious or satisfying of parts of elements. Weighing down one side of the stage with too may set pieces creates an imbalance.
PROPORTION: like balance, but related to the size difference between set pieces.
RHYTHM: a regular or harmonious pattern created by using balance and proportion.
UNITY/CONTRAST: ordering of all elements in a work of art so that each contributes to a unified aesthetic.
FOCUS/EMPHASIS: where a designer wants the audience to look.
This section in your portfolio should contain research and exploration. E.g. Images of set pieces representing the period and location; set design of plays of the same style etc...
It should also include budget considerations. How would the design change if the budget was restricted and what impact would this have on the production?
Discuss the relationship between the actors, set and the audience. Consider sightlines and where you would like your audience's focus to be.
Lighting Design (Click for further resources)
- Your lighting design must work in harmony with your set design.
- You must also discuss the relationship between your actors performance and your lighting design. How can lighting be used to enhance an actor's performance or communicate something specific about one character or two characters relationship?
- Please try to use the correct terminology when detailing your lighting design. You may need to do further research to ensure that you are doing this correctly.
In your lighting design, you should also consider the elements and principles of design (Some of you covered this in Year 11):
BALANCE: in design, harmonious or satisfying of parts of elements. Weighing down one side of the stage with too may set pieces creates an imbalance.
RHYTHM: a regular or harmonious pattern created by using balance and proportion.
UNITY/CONTRAST: ordering of all elements in a work of art so that each contributes to a unified aesthetic.
FOCUS/EMPHASIS: where a designer wants the audience to look.
Questions to consider:
- How is lighting used to create a particular mood/atmosphere?
- How is lighting used to highlight a particular character?
- How is lighting used to create a particular setting?
- How is lighting used to compliment your chosen theme/message?
- How can lighting function to manipulate/focus your audience's attention?
Sound Design: Use of live music, recorded music, sound effects, soundscapes and silence.
Consider how sound can be used during your piece to:
- add atmosphere
- emphasise action happening on stage
- help set the scene
- indicate a change of time or location
- focus attention on a character
- distance the audience (Brecht!)
- highlight the message /theme within the play
- cause an emotive reaction in your audience
Remember that silence and use of pause can be just as powerful as a piece of music.
Explain and justify your choices clearly, considering the relationship with movement, dialogue etc... and the relationship with other design elements such as lighting.
Link your sound choices to your chosen theatre style/s.
Recorded music can be included in your portfolio on a CD.
Costume Design (Click for further resources)
Stage costumes can provide audiences with information about a character's occupation, social status, gender, age, sense of style and tendencies towards conformity or individualism. As well, costumes can:
- reinforce the mood and style of the production.
- distinguish between major and minor characters.
- suggest relationships between characters.
- change an actor's appearance.
- suggest changes in character development and age.
- be objects of beauty in their own right.
Costume designs also need to include any accessories such as canes, hats, gloves, shoes, jewelry or masks. These costume props add a great deal of visual interest to the overall costume design. They are often the items that truly distinguish one character from another.
You should make clear links between the character profiles and your costume designs. Your choice of colours, texture, patterns, style and fitting must communicate something about the character to the audience. Ensure that your designs are in colour and are annotated with justifications for your creative decisions. Include fabric swatches if possible.
Your costume designs must be supported by research, which needs to be evidenced in your portfolio. Ensure that you link this research to your final designs.
Make Up Design (Click for further resources)
- Your make up designs must work in harmony with your costume designs.
- They must also link to your character profiles in your portfolio. Your choices of colour etc...must communicate something about the character to the audience.
- All make up choices must be explained and justified. Ensure that your designs are in colour and annotated with justifications for your creative decisions.