Peony Pavilion by Tang Xianzu: A Love Story that Transcends Life and Death

You will develop an analysis essay centered on one character of a work, and evaluate how in chosen clips of productions this character is interpreted. You will explain how the theatrical elements of acting, using of dance movement and hand gestures, singing and chanting, facial expressions, makeup and costumes, blocking, props, music, lighting and set design work together to complete this interpretation. You pick the play and the character to focus on. It could be focusing on one single production, or comparing two different productions of a work. Please only use the reference that I give you. Thank you!

The reference is a link :https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=IITODx_ektI&feature=youtu.be

Could you please give me a draft by 4/16 night? Thank you so much!

(3173/6173) Mid-term Paper (10%)                                                                                   SP20

A 1000-to1200-word performance analysis essay is due after the Spring Break. For this assignment, you will develop an analysis essay centered on a critical moment experience by one character in Peony Pavilion, and evaluate how in chosen clips of one or two different productions this character is interpreted on stage.

Your analysis may focus on one or some of the following aspects of the production: acting, using of dance movement and hand gestures, singing and chanting, facial expressions, makeup and costumes, blocking, props, music, lighting and set design work.

It could be focusing on one single production, or comparing two different interpretations by two different actors who perform the same role.

Format: 1000-1200 words, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1.5 spacing. Choose your own citation format if you are referencing other works.

Late submission: your midterm paper grade will be deducted by ONE POINT (out of 10 points) for each day the paper is late after the due day.

Step-by-step instructions:

Preparation:

1. Read the scene of your choice before watching the performance. As you read, pick out a few critical moments or turning points within the play that may be of particular interest to pay closer attention to as you watch the performance. Try to imagine how the space on the stage may be utilized by the actor to render the theme and tone of the particular scene.


2. As you watch, pay attention to the following:

ð  Role types: are the characters on the stage of the same or different role types? How does the assignment of role type fulfill or challenge your own interpretation of the character after reading the play? Could the roles have been assigned to different role types?

ð  Performance: focus on one or some of the following areas: hand gestures, manner of walking and movement, use of props, facial expressions, how does an actor move about on the stage, the combination of and transitioning between singing and chanting, eye movement, use of water sleeves to reveal and to conceal, how do the movements and gestures support the delivery of songs or spoken lines.

ð  Choices of costumes, makeup and set designs

ð  Is there notable modern technology utilized?

1. Your critical evaluation:

ð  Would you have liked to have seen more attention paid to what you perceived as critical passages?

ð  Did this rendition fall short in conveying something you were able to see in your reading of the play?

ð  Why would you have preferred this attention, and why do you think the actors avoided giving the passage such attention?

ð  What kind of restrictions does the convention of xiqu impose on the actors? How do performers and audience benefit from the xiqu convention?

Writing-up:

1. Introduction: In the introductory paragraph, you will state the performance you watched, the name of the character(s), the name of the actor who played the character you will write about, the reason why you chose this character and this/these productions, and a brief thesis statement.


2. In the second paragraph, you will give an analysis of the chosen point/moment in play, and give an analysis of the point, stating how the particular point reveals something compelling about the character.


3. In the subsequent paragraphs, you will explain how the theatrical elements contributed to the rendering of the significance of the moment. Specifically, you will focus on one or some of the elements you took notes on, to discuss how these elements worked towards fulfilling the characterization.


4. If you are comparing and contrasting two different versions, point out different interpretations and how they may create different impressions on the part of the audience. Which version do you prefer and why?


5. Conclusion: explain why your response to the play is valid and significant, based on what you have described in the body of the paper.

Grading criteria:

The A/A- Critique (90-100)

ð  Has a meaningful title that is connected to its strong and easily identifiable, insightful, sophisticated thesis, which is supported by a sound argument and well-chosen primary and/or secondary sources and examples.

ð  The critique explores a topic that is manageable within the prescribed length and demonstrates its author’s thorough understanding of the select work and ability to analyze the visual or narrative elements from a fresh and exciting perspective. There is a good balance between providing supporting examples and analyzing them.

ð  The critique is literately composed, with minimal errors of spelling and grammar, in a scholarly tone and appropriate level of diction.

ð  The organization is effective; its paragraphs have excellent transitions and well-connected mini-thesis, and the conclusion is suitable in tone and answers the “so-what” question.

The B+/B Critique (84-89)

ð  Has a slightly unclear thesis, but it has an effective introduction and conclusion. Evidence cited do not support all points made.

ð  The critique explores a topic that is not well defined and unmanageable, but it does demonstrate its author’s understanding of the select work and ability to analyze its visual or narrative components. The author’s interpretation of the material in question is sometimes hindered by a regurgitation of other critics’ interpretations.

ð  The critique contains occasional lapses in spelling, grammar, and diction

ð  The critique has a few unclear transitions, or a structure that does not always move the argument forward.

The B- / C+ Critique (77-83)

ð  Has a thesis that is not clear. Topic is not well-defined. Essay may cite many visual /narrative elements as evidence but may not fully analyze them.

ð  The argument is not supported by appropriate evidence, and quotes appear without critical analysis or evident connections to the argument.

ð  The critique has problematic sentence structures and frequent problems in diction and spelling.

ð  Has some recognizable organizational patterns, but the transitions between different parts are not consistently clear enough to provide a coherent focus. The critique does not anticipate or address counter-arguments.

The C / C- Critique (70-76)

ð  The thesis is difficult to identify. It uses very few and weak examples, and does not demonstrate a clear understanding of the primary and secondary materials.

ð  The critique contains unnecessary plot summaries or character sketches, and restates obvious points or other critics’ interpretations.

ð  The critique suffers from major problems in sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and diction.

ð  Transitions are confusing, and the structure does not move the argument forward.

The D+/D/ D- Critique (60-69)

ð  The critique suffers from more serious problems in thesis, structure, argument and use of evidence, and diction. It makes no attempt to follow the assignment; the choice of topic or thesis is poor.

The Failing Critique (below 60)

ð  The critique is difficult to understand owing to major problems with diction, structure, format, argument and use of evidence. It does not have an identifiable thesis and does not follow guidelines for the assignment. Above all, the paper is off the assignment, even if it is correctly and coherently written.