Unit 4 – Area of Study 2: Interpreting a monologue

Outcome 2

Interpret and present a monologue and orally justify and explain their interpretive decisions.​

Examples of lear​ning activities

• Trial different approaches to interpreting the scene, e.g. consider two variations of intended meaning which might be derived from your text; make lists of advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
• Research influences on the playwright and the contextual background of the play.
• Create a slide presentation or a series of online posts showing ways in which other theatre practitioners have used selected production roles to interpret the monologue.
• Annotate parts of the text that might assist with developing an interpretation, with specific reference to the elements of theatrical composition.
• Experiment with theatre styles to determine which style, or which combination of styles, are most appropriate to your intention.
• As an actor/director select production roles you will use to present your interpretation and describe how the production roles could be applied; refer to how the elements of theatrical composition will assist your interpretation.
• Develop a design brief for two design areas that outline an approach to interpreting the monologue (select from: lighting, sound, costume, make-up, set and props). Consider how you will use the elements of theatrical composition to creatively interpret your intention.
• Rehearse your monologue with other actors fulfilling the roles of the other characters in the scene. Pay particular attention to how they make you feel and react and what your intentions towards them are. Be specific in noticing where they are and when they move. Rehearse the monologue again, this time the other characters won’t speak but they will still be present and responding to you. Finally, remove the other actors and ask them to watch and give feedback to how well you convince them of the implied people in your monologue.
  
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  Develop a pitch for your monologue interpretation that covers: research, artistic intention, theatre style, creative vision, actor–audience relationship; present this to the class.​

 

​​Detailed example

Pitching an interpretation

Drawing on dramaturgical research and critical analysis of the scene and the monologue, write a pitch for your interpretation that includes:

• how you have applied research beyond the script to realise key contexts of the scene
• your artistic intention for the monologue justified through reference to specific events from the greater play
  
• how you intend to establish and maintain a particular relationship with your audience based on your choice of theatrical style. For example,

• as the director, outline your interpretation and intention and pitch your creative vision of the scene for a designer, stipulating two design areas.
• as the designer of your two production roles, prepare a brief that you would present to a director and justify your choices.​

Create a presentation that you will pitch to the class outlining your choices and justifications. This can be:

• verbal – demonstrated with supporting documentation and examples
• visual – through PowerPoint or a social media bulletin board
• combination of verbal, written and visual material.
  

Under the headings of the elements of theatrical composition (cohesion, motion, rhythm, emphasis, contrast and variation), highlight at least one example for each production role you have chosen that demonstrates how this is shown in the monologue.​