Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: Action Analysis

Chapter 2: Given Circumstances

Chapter 3: Background Story

Chapter 4: External and Internal Action

Chapter 5: Progressions and Structure

Chapter 6: Character

Chapter 7: Idea

Chapter 8: Dialogue

Chapter 9: Tempo, Rhythm, and Mood

Chapter 10: The Style of the Play

Chapter 11: Postmodernism: A Case Study

A Final Word

Appendix A: Further Questions for Script Analysis

Appendix B: Effective Analysis of the Mise-en-Scene

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

James Thomas, Professor of Theatre and Head of the PhD for Scholar-Directors at Wayne State University is a graduate of St. Ambrose College (BA), Villanova University (MA), and the University of Texas at Austin (PhD). Thomas has also taught theatre at Mount Holyoke College, Marquette University and Florida State University, where he was Associate Dean of the School of Theatre. His recent directing credits include Six Characters in Search of an Author and Cymbeline at Detroit's Hilberry Theatre, and Ah, Wilderness! and The Skin of our Teeth at the Bonstelle Theatre. His research has been published in Theatre Journal, Theatre Topics, and Contemporary Theatre Review. He is also translator of the books of Russian director Anatoly Efros and Director of Wayne State University’s Study Abroad Program with the Moscow Art Theatre School. He is currently at work on a directing textbook.

Reviews

"James Thomas has written a great resource book for anyone creating theatre. The information is detailed, clear, and easily applicable to text analysis for actors, directors, and designers." --Barbara Anger, Ithaca College

"This book has been overwhelmingly effective in meeting the goals I set for this course."---Perry Crafton, West Texas A&M University "Understanding the plot, action, characters and themes of a play is central to those who work in the theatre. Script Analysis for Actors, Directors and Designers (Fifth Edition) by James Thomas, explains the concepts of action analysis, background story, external and internal acttion, character, dialogue, style, and tempo, rhythm and mood. To coverage of classic and unconventional plays, this latest edition adds sections on postmodern and postdramatic methods of script analysis, along with new materials of special interest to designers." ---Stephen Peithman, Stage Directions