Unlocking the Text and Finding the Character: A Guide to Shakespeare Scoring

Faculty Mentor

Valerie Pye

Area of Research

Theatre

Major

Musical Theatre

Description

INTRODUCTION: Oftentimes in theatre, the work we do to prepare for a role is not always put on display. You can see the character through our performance, but rarely do we get to showcase all of our prep work. This semester I was a part of the Post Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth, directed by Conner Wilson. I was given the great honor of bringing his version of Lady Macbeth to life.

METHOD: Throughout the course of this year, I have been in class learning from Dr. Valerie Clayman Pye how to really analyze Shakespearean text. I was able to put my work on a larger scale when tasked with doing an entire production.

RESULTS: We develop our understanding of the text through a score which consists of many different parts, including scansion, punctuation, alliteration, and assonance to name a few.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This work in production, as well as the research I did to find my character’s history, gave me the ability to unlock the text and find my Lady Macbeth.

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Unlocking the Text and Finding the Character: A Guide to Shakespeare Scoring

INTRODUCTION: Oftentimes in theatre, the work we do to prepare for a role is not always put on display. You can see the character through our performance, but rarely do we get to showcase all of our prep work. This semester I was a part of the Post Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth, directed by Conner Wilson. I was given the great honor of bringing his version of Lady Macbeth to life.

METHOD: Throughout the course of this year, I have been in class learning from Dr. Valerie Clayman Pye how to really analyze Shakespearean text. I was able to put my work on a larger scale when tasked with doing an entire production.

RESULTS: We develop our understanding of the text through a score which consists of many different parts, including scansion, punctuation, alliteration, and assonance to name a few.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This work in production, as well as the research I did to find my character’s history, gave me the ability to unlock the text and find my Lady Macbeth.