1. WATCH THE 'CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF' BEHIND THE SCENES' VIDEO.
This video introduces the play Cat on A Hot Rin Roof by going behind the scenes of Black Swan State Theatre Company's production of the play. It is is set during the first rehearsal of the company and therefore identifies the multiple roles involved with production including costume, set and sound design. The video provides an oppourtunity to see some of the original designs for the production and also includes interviews from the director and actors whom discuss the major themes, the plot and the characters in the play
While watching the video, please take notes on the key concepts or interesting points that have been explored.
This activity aims to explore the plays context, themes and characters by creating a radio performance of a section or scene from the script.
You will need to interpret the script by understanding what is happening, with who, where, when and why. Then using only voice and mobile phone devices, you need to bring to life the interpretation in performance. For instance, voice techniques such as accent, pace, and pitch will idenitfy the type of characters and their emotions while the time and place can be conveyed through soundscapes using the mobile phones. Soundscapes also enhances the meaning of themes through creating atmosphere and mood. The instructions below will guide you in this process.
INSTRUCTIONS:
As a class organise yourselves into groups of 4-5 people and allocate each group a script except that is located below.
As a group, read the script.
Discuss and interpret the themes, context and characters involved in your script excerpt. Delegate two group members to vocally portray the characters and discuss vocal techniques such as emphasis, pitch and pace to effectively communcate the characters personality, emotions or motives. For example, if the character is male who is angry; voice techniques could be deep, loud and quite fast paced.
Identify the clear sound directions in the script excerpt. For example, 'he turned the water on' is a direction to have a water running sound.
Use the mobile phone device to create/ find the appropriate sounds. Note when the sound occurs on the script.
Identify the time and place of the scene and decipher sounds that could communicate this context.
Create/ find the sounds and decide on the timing of when the sound should occur during the scene. Note this on the script.
Discuss any sound effects or music that could enahnce the atmosphere of the scene.
Create or find these sound effects and plan when sound should occur during the scene. Note this on the script.
Practice the performance using voice and all sound effects to create your radio performance.
SCRIPT EXCEPTS:
Group 1 -
Group 2 -
Group 3 -
Group 4-
Group 5-
Note: If your group finishes before the others, work on step 5 until performances.
4. PRESENTATION OF RADIO PERFORMANCE
Once groups are all prepared, each group performs their radio show to the class. Performance order is determined by the order number on the scripts as this will follow the chronological order of the play. Also during performances, audiences need to have their backs facing the performers and have their eyes closed. This focuses your attention on listening to the performance rather than being distracted by the visual. After each performance, audiences should discuss the sounds they heard, what they thought they meant and whether they were effective.
5. SUMMARY TABLE
Individually save the below document to your desktop as you will refer to it at the end of each lesson.
word file
List as many things that you have learnt today or what your expectations are about the upcoming production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on the left column that is named 'Initial Interpretations from the Script'. The sections that should be developed are themes, characters, context and sound design. The table will be developed each week and then after the production we will compare our initial interpretation with our responses after the production.
Once you have individually noted as much as can, discuss ideas with class. Feel free to add your peers ideas to your list.
6. INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF THE SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER
Follow the below link to the Theatre Arts 20 website. Read and take notes of the roles of the set and costume designer.
Present your findings to the class in a facilitated class discussion.
7. DECIPHER THE CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF DESIGNERS NOTES
The following designers notes is written by the author of the play Tenessee Williams. The notes were published in front of the script in order to direct the designs of his plays.
Read the notes and highlight the key points that will influence design elements.
Discuss with a partner how you could create physically create designs.
8. DESIGN ACTIVITY
In pairs, create an inspirational collage of images that will influence the design choices of the production.
Refer to the designers notes and your knowledge of the context, themes and characters. The instructions below will guide your process.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Find images on Tenessee in 1950?
Find images of 195o dress?
Find images on landscapes, plantations and mansions during the 1950
Upload pictures into shape collage and will create collage
Present your collage to the class and explain why you have chosen these images.
9. SUMMARY TABLE
Open your Interpretations Table. List interesting points and your ideas for the costume and set design elements that will be expected during the the production of Cat on a Hot in Roof. Also eloborate on any other points or ideas in the table such as the themes, character and context of the play.
10. INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF THE SOUND AND LIGHTING DESIGNER
Follow the below link to the Theatre Arts 20 website. Read and take notes of the roles of the sound and lighting designer.
Present your findings to the class in a facilitated class discussion. Refer back to what you had learnt already in sound during the soundscape activity.
11. LIGHTING ANALYSIS ACTIVITY:
Analyse the following images below which are four different productions of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. All are images of the Maggie and Brick scene in the bedroom.
For each image write down what lighting effects you think have been used such as the colour, intensity, focus (sharp or hazy) or the angle (black light or front light). Then explain why do you think these choices were made. Hint: refer to the roles of lighting designers which includes illuminating the stage so audience can see, creating meanings such as time and place and enhancing mood and atmosphere.
In pairs, discuss your ideas. Then create a table to compare and contrast the use of lighting in the four images.
12. SUMMARY TABLE
Open your Interpretations Table. List interesting points and your ideas for the lighting design elements and the mood that will be expected during the the production of Cat on a Hot in Roof. Also eloborate on any other points or ideas in the table such as the sound, themes, character and context of the play.
Well done!
Now you are prepared to see the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Black Swan State Theatre Company.
When you are watching the play, ensure that you make mental notes of the use of production elements such as lighting, sound, set and costume design and whether it was effective or not in communicating the themes, character, context or mood and atmosphere. This is important as you will be evaluating the performance in the next lesson as part of an assessment.
This video introduces the play Cat on A Hot Rin Roof by going behind the scenes of Black Swan State Theatre Company's production of the play. It is is set during the first rehearsal of the company and therefore identifies the multiple roles involved with production including costume, set and sound design. The video provides an oppourtunity to see some of the original designs for the production and also includes interviews from the director and actors whom discuss the major themes, the plot and the characters in the play
While watching the video, please take notes on the key concepts or interesting points that have been explored.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from Black Swan State Theatre Co on Vimeo.
2. EXPLORE THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS
The following Prezi Presentation identifies the main characters in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and explores their personality, motives and relationships.
Follow the link below to view the Prezi Presentation and again take notes on key characters and concepts.
http://prezi.com/u866wsltocle/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-family-tree/
3. SOUNDSCAPE ACTIVITY
This activity aims to explore the plays context, themes and characters by creating a radio performance of a section or scene from the script.
You will need to interpret the script by understanding what is happening, with who, where, when and why. Then using only voice and mobile phone devices, you need to bring to life the interpretation in performance. For instance, voice techniques such as accent, pace, and pitch will idenitfy the type of characters and their emotions while the time and place can be conveyed through soundscapes using the mobile phones. Soundscapes also enhances the meaning of themes through creating atmosphere and mood. The instructions below will guide you in this process.
INSTRUCTIONS:
As a class organise yourselves into groups of 4-5 people and allocate each group a script except that is located below.
As a group, read the script.
Discuss and interpret the themes, context and characters involved in your script excerpt. Delegate two group members to vocally portray the characters and discuss vocal techniques such as emphasis, pitch and pace to effectively communcate the characters personality, emotions or motives. For example, if the character is male who is angry; voice techniques could be deep, loud and quite fast paced.
Identify the clear sound directions in the script excerpt. For example, 'he turned the water on' is a direction to have a water running sound.
Use the mobile phone device to create/ find the appropriate sounds. Note when the sound occurs on the script.
Identify the time and place of the scene and decipher sounds that could communicate this context.
Create/ find the sounds and decide on the timing of when the sound should occur during the scene. Note this on the script.
Discuss any sound effects or music that could enahnce the atmosphere of the scene.
Create or find these sound effects and plan when sound should occur during the scene. Note this on the script.
Practice the performance using voice and all sound effects to create your radio performance.
SCRIPT EXCEPTS:
Group 1 -
Group 2 -
Group 3 -
Group 4-
Group 5-
Note: If your group finishes before the others, work on step 5 until performances.
4. PRESENTATION OF RADIO PERFORMANCE
Once groups are all prepared, each group performs their radio show to the class. Performance order is determined by the order number on the scripts as this will follow the chronological order of the play. Also during performances, audiences need to have their backs facing the performers and have their eyes closed. This focuses your attention on listening to the performance rather than being distracted by the visual. After each performance, audiences should discuss the sounds they heard, what they thought they meant and whether they were effective.
5. SUMMARY TABLE
Individually save the below document to your desktop as you will refer to it at the end of each lesson.
word fileList as many things that you have learnt today or what your expectations are about the upcoming production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on the left column that is named 'Initial Interpretations from the Script'. The sections that should be developed are themes, characters, context and sound design. The table will be developed each week and then after the production we will compare our initial interpretation with our responses after the production.
Once you have individually noted as much as can, discuss ideas with class. Feel free to add your peers ideas to your list.
6. INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF THE SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER
Follow the below link to the Theatre Arts 20 website. Read and take notes of the roles of the set and costume designer.
http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/theatre_arts_20/index.htm
Present your findings to the class in a facilitated class discussion.
7. DECIPHER THE CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF DESIGNERS NOTES
The following designers notes is written by the author of the play Tenessee Williams. The notes were published in front of the script in order to direct the designs of his plays.
Read the notes and highlight the key points that will influence design elements.
Discuss with a partner how you could create physically create designs.
8. DESIGN ACTIVITY
In pairs, create an inspirational collage of images that will influence the design choices of the production.
Refer to the designers notes and your knowledge of the context, themes and characters. The instructions below will guide your process.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Find images on Tenessee in 1950?
Find images of 195o dress?
Find images on landscapes, plantations and mansions during the 1950
Father and son relationships
Brother envious relationships
A cat on a hot tin roof
Past productions of the play
Then save images in a file
Dowload shape collage http://www.shapecollage.com/
Upload pictures into shape collage and will create collage
Present your collage to the class and explain why you have chosen these images.
9. SUMMARY TABLE
Open your Interpretations Table. List interesting points and your ideas for the costume and set design elements that will be expected during the the production of Cat on a Hot in Roof. Also eloborate on any other points or ideas in the table such as the themes, character and context of the play.
10. INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF THE SOUND AND LIGHTING DESIGNER
Follow the below link to the Theatre Arts 20 website. Read and take notes of the roles of the sound and lighting designer.
http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/theatre_arts_20/index.htm
Present your findings to the class in a facilitated class discussion. Refer back to what you had learnt already in sound during the soundscape activity.
11. LIGHTING ANALYSIS ACTIVITY:
Analyse the following images below which are four different productions of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. All are images of the Maggie and Brick scene in the bedroom.
For each image write down what lighting effects you think have been used such as the colour, intensity, focus (sharp or hazy) or the angle (black light or front light). Then explain why do you think these choices were made. Hint: refer to the roles of lighting designers which includes illuminating the stage so audience can see, creating meanings such as time and place and enhancing mood and atmosphere.
In pairs, discuss your ideas. Then create a table to compare and contrast the use of lighting in the four images.
12. SUMMARY TABLE
Open your Interpretations Table. List interesting points and your ideas for the lighting design elements and the mood that will be expected during the the production of Cat on a Hot in Roof. Also eloborate on any other points or ideas in the table such as the sound, themes, character and context of the play.
Well done!
Now you are prepared to see the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Black Swan State Theatre Company.
When you are watching the play, ensure that you make mental notes of the use of production elements such as lighting, sound, set and costume design and whether it was effective or not in communicating the themes, character, context or mood and atmosphere. This is important as you will be evaluating the performance in the next lesson as part of an assessment.
Enjoy the show!