Studying the Text: Analysis for Dramatic Presentation

(Adapted for Scripture drama by Bruce Kuhn, from Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting)

WHO? Study the characters: their ages, objectives, obstacles, relationships (“father” or “excluded prostitute”). Note: In western culture we tend to define ourselves by what we do; in eastern culture, people were defined by their relationship to others.

TIME? Think through the year, season, day of week, time of day and how much time the character has to do what he or she needs to do. (As an example, for Jesus, define the short-term objective or find a way to relate the episode to his long-term objective to “save the world.”)

PLACE? Where does the scene take place? How is that significant?

SURROUNDINGS? What surrounds me as I’m in the scene? Is this a place I, the actor, have been before (at a dinner party, in a place of religious instruction, on a crowded city street)?

GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES? What has just happened? What is happening as the scene opens? What is about to happen (the character’s future)?

RELATIONSHIPS among the characters? Who is the chief action-maker? Who holds the power?

MAIN OBJECTIVES? What is the main thrust of the scene? What does it need to accomplish?

MOMENT-BY-MOMENT OBJECTIVES? What obstacles or questions must be overcome or answered during the scene?

ACTIONS? What does each character do to get around their obstacles and on to their objectives? (Look at the action verbs in the text.)

THEME? Overall, what is the scene about? What does it communicate to the audience?

WHAT IF? What if I were _________ (each of the characters)? When have I been in a situation like this? How did I feel? How did I react?