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Part of the Drama One Curriculum

Script Analysis: The Actor's Perspective

Created by Karen Loftus

How does an actor analyze a script? Students start with character analysis (how do we learn about a character in a script? what are the facts/inferences about a character?) and then explore the ideas of “objective,” “obstacle,” “stakes,” and “tactics.”

The unit culminates with students applying learned script analysis techniques on an assigned scene. Please refer to the Pacing Guide for more details and ways to supplement with other DTA materials.

Unit Overview
How does an actor analyze a script? Students start with character analysis (how do we learn about a character in a script? what are the facts/inferences about a character?) and then explore the ideas of “objective,” “obstacle,” “stakes,” and “tactics.” The unit culminates with students applying learned script analysis techniques on an assigned scene.
Additional Attachments
1: Getting to Know a Character
Students learn the 5 ways we learn about a character in a script.
Attachments
2: Characters in a Scene
This session uses a two-character scene to find facts and inferences about a character.
3: The Stanislavski Method
This session introduces the Stanislavski method of acting and four elements: objective, obstacle, stakes, and tactics.
4: Applying Analysis to Performance
This session reviews what students have learned about script analysis, and applies it to an open scene exercise.
Attachments
5: Unit Project
Students are given an assigned scene to analyze, focus on one character, and complete the script analysis assignment.
Attachments

Standards Addressed

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