Introduction to Play Analysis

by Cal Pritner, Scott E. Walters

In this indispensable companion to any theatre class in which scripts are read and interpreted, Pritner and Walters offer five sequential levels of reading designed to lead to a deep understanding of the text. Level one imagines the play as performed in front of an audience; level two examines the deep structure of the conflict; level three examines given circumstances and the type of relationship the play creates between the audience and the production; level four looks closely at characters’ behavior and reactions to their given circumstances, surveys conflict in each scene, and encourages supplemental research about the play; finally, level five synthesizes the information acquired from the preceding levels. Each chapter introduces a concept that is then explored by studying its application to The Glass Menagerie, chosen for both its accessibility and its complexity. Other plays discussed include works by Molière, Shakespeare, Sophocles, and August Wilson. End-of-chapter questions are applicable to any play.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Textbooks

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2004

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book introduced me to a few new tactics when reading plays (example: reading a play in one sitting so as to ingest it like an audience would), but most of these tactics (example: look up words you don’t know, take notes in margins, do external research) didn’t apply to me as I’ve already been doing most of these things. If I taught a freshman acting class in high school i would use this book, as I assume this book is used mostly in a classroom setting and less for leisurely reading like I used it for.

Also, they said not to read the plays they reference until you finish the book, but I didn’t and half of the book washed over me because I couldn’t reflect on what they were talking about or asking questions in reference to.

[Bridget]

Not going to lie, this book was really annoying haha. I read it for Acting 1 and honestly my least favorite part about doing theatre is having to score scenes/plays and analyze them the way this book asks you too.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and straightforward text on how to analyze and really understand a play. This text was used in a class about analyzing plays for production. It is very easy to read and understand.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of a process.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise breakdown of how to effectively read plays good for anyone working in theatre.