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Product Identifiers

PublisherSouthern Illinois University Press

ISBN-100809311100

ISBN-139780809311101

eBay Product ID (ePID)827671

Product Key Features

Number of Pages112 Pages

Publication NameBackwards & Forwards : a Technical Manual for Reading Plays

LanguageEnglish

SubjectTheater / General, Theater / Playwriting, Acting & Auditioning, Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities

Publication Year1983

TypeTextbook

Subject AreaPerforming Arts, Education

AuthorDavid Ball

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.4 in

Item Weight5.5 Oz

Item Length8.5 in

Item Width5.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceScholarly & Professional

LCCN82-019333

Reviews"Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ] to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing... Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-- Stage Directions "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacingâ€¦ Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."- Stage Directions, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacingâ€¦ Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-Stage Directions, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing... Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-- Stage Directions, "Ball wrote [Backwards and Forwards]to help people who put on plays understand how a play worksâ€¦ He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing-because it is writing meant to be staged, not read- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-Dramatics, "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play worksâ€¦ He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing-because it is writing meant to be staged, not read- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."- Dramatics, "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ] to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing—because it is writing meant to be staged, not read— and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."— Dramatics, "In fewer than one hundred pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing....Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this ninety-six-page book than he has in his twenty years of theater experience." - Stage Directions, In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."— Stage Directions

Table Of ContentContents Foreword to the 2017 Edition Foreword to the 1983 Edition Introduction Part One: Shape 7 1. What Happens That Makes Something Else Happen? 2. And What Happens Next? 3. But Do It Backwards 4. Stasis and Intrusion 5. Obstacle, Conflict 6. Ignorance Is Bliss 7. Things Theatrical Part Two: Methods 8. Exposition 9. Forwards: Hungry for Next 10. Missing Persons (Character) 11. Image 12. Theme Part Three: Tricks of the Trade 13. Background Information 14. Trusting the Playwright 15. Families 16. Generalities: Mood, Atmosphere 17. The Unique Factor 18. Changing Eras 19. Climax 20. Beginnings/Endings 21. Rereading 22. What Next?

SynopsisThe best-selling script analysis book for thirty-five years Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theater and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts. Ball developed his method during his work as literary director at the Guthrie Theater, building his guide on the crafts playwrights of every period and style use to make their plays stageworthy. The text is full of tools for students and practitioners to use as they investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and the other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play. Also included are guides for discovering what the playwright considers a play's most important elements, thus permitting interpretation based on the foundation of the play rather than its details. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet as illustration, Ball assures a familiar base for clarifying script-reading techniques as well as exemplifying the kinds of misinterpretation readers can fall prey to by ignoring the craft of the playwright. Of immense utility to those who want to put plays on the stage (actors, directors, designers, production specialists) Backwards & Forwards is also a fine playwriting manual because the structures it describes are the primary tools of the playwright., Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theatre and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts., The best-selling script analysis book for thirty-five years Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theater and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts. Ball developed his method during his work as literary director at the Guthrie Theater, building his guide on the crafts playwrights of every period and style use to make their plays stageworthy. The text is full of tools for students and practitioners to use as they investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and the other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play. Also included are guides for discovering what the playwright considers a play' s most important elements, thus permitting interpretation based on the foundation of the play rather than its details. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet as illustration, Ball assures a familiar base for clarifying script-reading techniques as well as exemplifying the kinds of misinterpretation readers can fall prey to by ignoring the craft of the playwright. Of immense utility to those who want to put plays on the stage (actors, directors, designers, production specialists) Backwards & Forwards is also a fine playwriting manual because the structures it describes are the primary tools of the playwright.

LC Classification NumberPN1661.B34 1983