Homework #6

This is a big one. So, (a) it isn't due until Thursday 10/23, and (b) it's worth triple the weight of a regular homework assignment. It comes in several parts, and they are:

Headshot & Bio: Actors usually have an 8x10 headshot that they submit at auditions. (At one time, headshots were always black and white, but more recently, color headshots have become popular - for this assignment, either a b&w or a color headshot is acceptable.) Your bio should be a brief, approx. 100-word biography all about YOU. (Typically, the bio highlights other shows an actor has performed in, where the actor went to school, and may include a special "thanks" to special family members/friends/deities/etc.).

Handwrite lines: In order to make the author's words your own, you should write the words out by hand. By physiologically guiding those words into your head, through your hand, and out of your pen, they become yours. This exercise is intended to help make these words sounds more natural and extemporaneous when spoken aloud.

Character backstory: In order to flesh out the characters a bit, create a "backstory", or a background description, for your character. Write in the first person (so say "My name is Mindy Dowd", not "Her name is Mindy Dowd" or "My character's name is Mindy Dowd"), and include the following information: your (character's) first and last name, age, family situation (do you live at home? with both parents? any brothers/sisters?), number of years working for the Bureau, how you feel personally about Mindy, Mrs. Mock, and Mr. Downsides (or do you even know Mr. Downsides?). Use these questions as a base; you may feel free to say more than what I've asked here.

Actor's work: (Feel free to consult pages 90-91 of the book, where I found these questions. Again, write in the first person) What is your main objective, or goal? If possible, put this in terms of other characters in the play. What is one tactic that you use to achieve this goal? This play involves a group of people posing as a class, testing the resolve of the one outsider, Mindy. How do you fit into the world of this play?

Directorial work: What would you choose as the (one-word) theme of this play, and why?

Please be sure to hand-write your lines, and type all other sections.

Also, don't forget to see Small Tragedy this weekend, if you haven't already seen it. Your critiques are due on Tuesday before the Midterm.