Last Act: Script Analysis Showcase Reflection

One of my favorite classes at Atlantic was Script Analysis with Karen Kohlhaas. In that class, we studied Practical Aesthetics and how to analyze a scene following that technique, and we were lucky enough to have Karen for all three semesters.  

As an overview, Practical Aesthetics is an acting technique that was originally created by David Mamet and William H. Macy. This technique asks the actor to commit themselves to pursuing an action based on what they want the other actor to do in the scene.

For our final semester, we added a final layer to our analysis, and that was through-line. This takes a look at the entirety of the play and asks you to make decisions on the individual scenes using the overall want and action as a compass.

My group and I decided to do two scenes from the play “Independence” by Lee Blessing, which is about a mom and three daughters who are as dysfunctional as dysfunctional could be. I played the youngest daughter, Sherry. She was a challenge because, in the play, she is 19 years old but it can be argued that she is immature for her age. It’s tough for me to play that because Sherry comes from impulse, lashing out, acting before she speaks. That’s not me. I had to mature quickly as a kid, so this was interesting territory for me.

Learning how to apply analysis to a whole play through the character of Sherry taught me a lot. I came to understand more thoroughly how to take your character’s side even if they are completely in the wrong. Additionally, I learned how to use what is understood about the character’s life goals and ambitions to craft the scene towards those desires. It leads to a more in-depth understanding of the character, and that is invaluable. 

As for the showcase itself, I’m just so proud of my class. Everyone brought their A-game and having the showcase be the very last thing we do as Atlantic students was a masterclass in acting growth. Each one of us has become empowered to proudly stand before you and claim the title of “Actor.” No hesitation, just commitment.

I can’t wait for us to go out into the world. We got this.

Stand tall.

xx Selma