Central Washington University ScholarWorks@CWU Graduate Student Projects Graduate Student Projects 2005 Direction of the Play: Rumors Taunya Lyn Page Central Washington University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/thesis_projects Part of the Theatre and Performance Studies Commons Recommended Citation Page, Taunya Lyn, "Direction of the Play: Rumors" (2005). Graduate Student Projects. Paper 41. This Graduate Project is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Student Projects at ScholarWorks@CWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Projects by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@CWU. Direction of the Play Rumors by Neil Simon A Project Report Presented to The Graduate Faculty Central Washington University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Theatre Production By Taunya Lyn Page July2005 ABSTRACT PROJECT REPORT Rumors MOUNTAIN HOME HIGH SCHOOL Directed by Taunya Lyn Page April 2005 Rumors was selected for production and directed. The script was analyzed; background research was conducted; the costumes and set were designed and constructed; casting and auditions took place; rehearsals were scheduled and completed. Post-production elements were analyzed and supported the original concept statement. Documentation includes analysis of the script and the production at Mountain Home High School. iii CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Graduate Studies Final Examination of Taunya Lyn Page B.A., Boise State University, 1999 for the Degree of Master of Arts Theatre Production Committee in Charge Mr. George Bellah Dr. Wesley Van Tassel Mr. Scott Robinson McConnell Hall Room 117 Date of Oral Interview 7:30 p.m. IV I Taunya Lyn Page Courses presented for the Master's degree Quarter Course No. Course Title Credits Instructor Completed TH 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 1 L. Kash Summer 2002 TH 510 Studies in Dramatic Literature 4 B. Hubbard Summer 2002 TH 539 Directing Young Actors 3 W. Van Tassel Summer 2002 TH 546 Teaching Shakespeare 3 W. Van Tassel Summer 2002 TH 565 Creative Costuming 3 S. Robinson Summer 2002 TH598 Musical Theatre Choreography 2 A. Childress Summer2002 TH511 Analysis & Criticism 4 G. Meshke Summer 2003 TH522 Program & Curriculum Activities 3 D. Lane Summer 2003 TH 540 Graduate Directing I 3 M. Smith Summer 2003 TH 542 Musical Theatre Directing 4 M. Smith Summer 2003 TH544 Acting Styles 3 M. Smith Summer 2003 TH580 Scenic Methods 3 D. Lane Summer 2003 TH534 Improvisational Techniques 2 D. Lane Summer 2004 TH 541 Graduate Directing II 3 M. Smith Summer 2004 TH584 Puppetry in the Classroom 3 E. Luce Summer 2004 TH700 Thesis Project 2 G. Bellah Spring 2005 TH700 Thesis Examination 4 G. Bellah Summer 2005 Total Credit Requirements - 50 v BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Taunya Lyn Page Born May 26, 1972, Othello, Washington Undergraduate Study: Boise State University, 1991-1999 Graduate Study: Central Washington University, 2002-2005 Professional Experience: Teacher: Mountain Home High School, Mountain Home, Idaho, American Literature and Drama, 2000-present vi TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Title Page ....... ................ .... ..... ........................ i II. Approval Page .................................................. 11 III. Abstract .................................................. ........ ill IV. Acknowledgments .................................... ......... lV V. Course of Study ... ............... ....... ... ....... .. ....... ..... v VI. Biographical Information ... ....................... ............ Vl VII. Table of Contents .............. .... .. ......... ....... ........... Vll VIII. Section I: Preliminary Information a) Copy of Committee and Option Approval Form ........ 1 b) Copy of Playscript Approval Form ........................ 2 c) Project Parameters and Schedule .......................... 3 d) Permission of Hiring Authority ........................... 6 e) Evaluation of the Play as a Production Vehicle ...... .. 7 t) Concept Statement. ..... ................... ................. 9 g) Project Schedule ............................................. 12 IX. Section II: Pre-Production Analysis a) Given Circumstances ...................................... 13 b) Listing of Previous Action ................................ 16 c) Analysis of Dialogue ...................................... 18 d) Analysis of Dramatic Action (one-act example) ....... 21 e) Character Analysis ........................................ .. 82 t) Ideas of the Play ............................................ 94 vii g) Past Productions and Reviews ............................ 97 h) The Playwright .............................................. 99 i) Listing of Learning Goals ................................. 104 X. Section Ill: Post-Production Materials a) Production Journal .......................................... 105 b) Written Evaluations of Project Committee.. l 17 c) Self-Evaluation............................................... 119 XI. Bibliography . 125 XII. Appendices a) Production Calendar ...... ......... .......................... l27 b) Tickets and Program ........................................ 131 c) Costume Plot ................................................ 132 d) Inspiration for Cookie's Costume ........................ 133 e) Cookie Cusack .............................. ................ 134 t) Initial Set Design ........................................... l "5 g) Set Construction Plot ...................................... 136 h) Initial Floor Plan ............................................ 137 1') D es1gn. Insp1rat1ons . ......................................... 138 j) Double Door Design ........................................ 139 k) Fireplace Design ............................................ 140 1) The Set ........................................................ 141 m) Production Photos ........................................... 145 n) Lighting System ....................... ............ ......... 153 viii o) Unedited Reviews ............................................ 154 p) Invoice: Production Royalty Fees ............... .. ....... .. 159 ix (Submit in Quadruplicate) GRADUATE COMMITTEE AND OPTION APPROVAL FORM CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Check option: Written Exam* NonThesis Project Credits vCreative Project Studio Project Portfolio Review Course No_ Title Credits Thesis kStudents taking written exam option may omit items 1-5 beiow. 1. Proposed Title: {2.\Al'V\olS ,, d. kx.\- ano.\lls."\.s w\\\ be~e. LL\\M\nct.+tN\ 2_ Purpose of Study:~~a.\--re pn1d.u.. ~11 vr; ~ ' · J e.~rl ex\ U2.. ~r *'' s ? res rc::t.l'Y\. ' . 3. S~ope of $tudy: ~ac... ..\.-rn..~\~4-;C"'r' ~e.d of\ ~~-~odu.~ ~ ·re~c.:....~1 r-os.\-~roO..U<hW"\ 1?.AJQ\u.o.\ltrY\; C'n d d11e.~..+; f.;V""\ OC:-+he f ochicli Vl""\ (ifldud.l"5 des;.\qn J. · 4. Proce.~ure to be ~sed:\V\f'ee.~~ ~ s~M :©. \\~ ~ p~c\1 c:r-' re~::>lf.c.n::h__ one\. *'°s.\s , doui.YY\~-HCY\-, M\.J\ · \e.@ reWi.o.rso:.\ Qr'\Ct. d.1 Rd-t'in'"' ~ p1c>c:\.uc:h{)Y)@fbs+-prod.u.d-iln" 5. Does the procedure involve colle tion of data obtained from eva..luccliCTY\ Human Subjects (including use of surveys)? ................. .. .. ....... ....................... Yes**(!'.§) ** If yes, yo~~~~~c~~:;:.:~s~~~t b~· ~PP~~~~d ·;~· :;.;;iii~[j by.th~ -H~-;;,~~. S~bie~t~. c'~mmitt~: ~~~~~imal Care and Use Committee before you initiate your research. GeogeG~ Bellah, 1 ~\ab Committee Chair (typed or printed) Committee Chair (signature) WesleyVJesk-i Van Vo.n Tassel b.Sf£\ Committee M~mber (typed or printed) Committae Member (signature) ScottSv+t- Robinson616\c§tJ Committee Member (typed or printed) Committee Member (signature) Approved by: !#J ,---- Approved by: George Bellah I o:5 Signature is illegible. Oept Chair/IJesignee ~lgnature) a Associate VP of Graduate Stv~i e;s Date St~dents will be required to submit two copies of all motion picture film, film strips, sound film strips, slides, tapes, cassettes, pictures, etc. produced as part of the thesis. These are to be submitted at the time the thesis (three copies} is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. 51 Please note: The signatures have been redacted due to security reasons. MASTER'S THESIS PROJECT PLAYSCRIPT APPROVAL FORM (PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HA VE READ THE PLAY SELECTION CRITERIA SECTION IN YOUR GRADUATE HANDBOOK) SCRIPTTITLE___ "R=u=':::::::D =f=S:------------------------------------------------ PLA YWRIGHT(S) [If musical, list lyricist/compo.ser] __\\_ e_·, _\ -~_i_rn_____ o _V\~----------- NUMBER OF ACTS -----2 APPROXIMATE TOTAL PLAYING TN.ffi---- \ HOURS Y.5 MIN. CAST (fill in with the appropriate numbers) 2_-3 MEN_ ____._~,,_]....__ WOMEN----=----- lo CHILDREN--~ o____OVER 40-------- ROLES REQUIRING PEOPLE OF COLOR__ O___ ROLES COULD DOUBLE__ ~----- TOTAL NUMBER OF CAST----- \ \ OTHER CASTING CONCERNS: f\t; \l ~ C\\ -\\'\\'.) \-\ ffit, ARTIS TlC STAFF (check those needed for this play or production idea) MUSICAL DIRECTORn /A DANCE CHOREOGRAPHERn P. FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER f) ) A. DIALECT COACH n (\ SPECIALTY HIRE / A. (specify what kind) I ORCHESTRA/BAND (specify what size) tA Will you be fulfilling any of the above? (\ o I so, which? Will a guest artist be fulfilling any of the above? n o If so, which? SCENERY/PR 0 PS (check those needed for this play or your concept of the play) UNIT SET? YES NO (CIRCLE ONE) NUMBER OF SETTINGS ___.__ ___ HISTORICAL PERIOD ~e present- GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION \\ e. \\ \) k BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SET CONCERNS OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: . \~ \ . , . I" ~ -\-wo S-to.r ~e+