Req 1 — Watching & Reviewing Plays

Before you can create theater, you need to experience it. This requirement asks you to see or read three full-length plays — and then think critically about what you experienced. You are not just watching for fun (although it should be fun). You are learning to be an informed audience member who can recognize good storytelling, strong acting, and effective staging.

Finding Plays to See or Read

Seeing live theater is the best option. Here are places to look:

• School productions — Your school or a nearby school likely puts on at least one play a year
• Community theaters — Nearly every town has one, and tickets are usually affordable
• Regional and professional theaters — Larger cities have professional companies with seasons of shows
• Outdoor festivals — Shakespeare in the Park and similar events are often free

If live performances are not available near you, you can read plays instead. Your local library will have collections of plays. Here are some great choices for Scouts:

• Our Town by Thornton Wilder — A classic about small-town life
• The Phantom Tollbooth adapted by Susan Nanus — A fantasy adventure based on the beloved novel
• Twelve Angry Jurors adapted by Sherman L. Sergel — A gripping courtroom drama about justice
• You Can’t Take It with You by Kaufman and Hart — A hilarious comedy about an eccentric family

How to Watch a Play Like a Critic

Being a good audience member is more than sitting quietly. When you watch a play with a critical eye, you are paying attention to several layers at the same time.

The Story (Plot)

Every play has a plot — the sequence of events that makes up the story. As you watch or read, ask yourself:

• What is the main conflict? Who wants what, and what stands in their way?
• How does the tension build? When do you feel the most suspense or excitement?
• How does it end? Was the resolution satisfying? Surprising?
• What is the theme — the bigger idea the playwright is exploring?

The Acting

If you are watching a live performance, the actors bring the story to life. Consider:

• Did you believe the characters were real people with real emotions?
• Could you hear and understand the actors clearly?
• How did the actors use their bodies, faces, and voices to show what their characters were feeling?
• Was there chemistry between the actors — did their relationships feel genuine?

The Staging

Staging includes everything you see and hear beyond the actors themselves:

• Set design — Did the set help you understand where and when the story takes place?
• Lighting — Did the lights create mood? Draw your attention to important moments?
• Costumes — Did the costumes tell you something about the characters?
• Sound — Was there music or sound effects? Did they add to the experience?

Writing a Play Review

A good review is not just “I liked it” or “It was boring.” It is a thoughtful response that shows you understood what the play was trying to do and how well it did it.

Preparing for Your Counselor Discussion

Your counselor will want to hear you talk about the plot of each play. If you watched the plays live, they will also ask about the acting and staging. Here are some strong discussion starters:

• “The main conflict was between ___ and ___, and it made me feel ___.”
• “The actor playing ___ was especially convincing because ___.”
• “The set design helped me understand ___ about the story.”
• “I noticed the lighting changed when ___, which created a mood of ___.”

Explore More Resources