Duet Unit

You need to work through this Packet, it is expected to be completed and completed with care, I
promise it will help you! *Notice that you have two ballots in this packet you need to have both of these
completed at some point by someone in the class. When you are helping others during this experience
please actually be helpful, critique in a positive way that will also help your classmate grow as a
performer, most of all have fun!

Schedule:
April 15 : Introduction to Partners/ Script Selection/ Trust Building
April 17- Memorization Techniques Duet
April 18: HI/DI Element of My Forensics Self
April 22: DUET OFF BOOK (means fully memorized) Blocking Work Duet
April 24: Rehearsal
April 29 Duet Performances/ Packet due on Performance day

Duet Rules:

*Script should have quality and aesthetic

value.
*Script should only contain two characters.
*Script should be from a published source.
(No original scripts may be used.)
*No props, costumes, makeup are allowed
in performance. (Only two chairs may be
used.)
*An introduction should be presented
containing information necessary to
understand characters and scene.
*Title and author should be presented in
introduction.
*Time limit, inclusive of introduction, is 4-6
minutes.

Helpful Hints:
*Know both parts of script so you can help
your partner if they need it
*Plan your blocking
*Practice often without your script
*Be positive with your partner
*Let us see someone different then
yourself on stage
* Do not be afraid to try different things
and experiment
* *Rehearse full out every time that you
rehearsal.

Duet Planning / Partner Work

Partner Work

Script selection

1. What are 3 things you have in common

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

1) What script have you and your partner

chosen?
_______________________________________
2) Why did you choose this script? (this needs
to be more then its funny, its good, ect)
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

2) Make agreements to one another for this

unit
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
3) What makes you excited to work with this
partner?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_____________________________________
4) How will working with this person challenge
you as a performer?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
5) What is your favorite thing about your
partner as a performer?

3) Has this script been performed on stage, if so

when and where?(if it has not read about this
author when and where were they born)
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Read a review of if what jumps out to you in the
review ? (If you struggle to find one, read a
review of the author)
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
4) How does this script highlight your partners
and your unique abilities as a performer?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Character Analysis- Homework for 15th

Answer the following questions I need you to support your responses with lines from the script that give
you that idea or websites were you researched and learned
1. WHO AM I?
(All the details about your character including
name, age, address, relatives, likes, dislikes,
hobbies, career, description of physical traits,
opinions, beliefs, religion, education, origins,
enemies, loved ones, sociological influences,
etc.)

5. WHAT ARE THE GIVEN

CIRCUMSTANCES?
(Past, present, future and all of the events)

6. WHAT IS MY RELATIONSHIP?
(Relation to total events, other characters, and
to things)

2. WHAT TIME IS IT?

(Century, season, year, day, minute,
significance of time)

7. WHAT DO I WANT?
(Character's need. The immediate and main
objective)

3. WHERE AM I?
(Country, city, neighborhood, home, room, area
of room)
8. WHAT IS IN MY WAY?
(The obstacles which prevent character from
getting his/her need)

4. WHAT SURROUNDS ME?

(Animate and inanimate objects-complete details
of environment)

9. WHAT DO I DO TO GET WHAT I WANT?

(The action: physical and verbal, also-action
verbs)

Character Biography
(if additional space is needed use a separate sheet)

Play Title:

Character Name:

PHYSICAL
Age:
Posture:
Dialect:
Eyesight:
Tempo/Gestures/Movement/Speech

Center of Gravity:
Cleanliness:
Hearing:
I.Q.:

PERSONALITY
Secret:
Religion:
Prejudices:
Curiosity:
Imagination:
Ambition:
Education:
Ability to Reason:
Alertness/Daydreamer:
Self-Image/Ego:
Giving:
Reliability:
Jealousy/Fear/Pride/Inferiority:
Thoughts About Other Characters:
Other Characters Thoughts About Him/Her:
ENVIRONMENT
Parents/Status:
Other Relatives/Status:
Residence/Status:
Previous Action/Off-Stage Action:

Siblings/Status:
Husband/Wife Status:
Job/Salary/Social Class
Childhood:

_________________________________________________________________________________
Superobjective:
Secondary Objectives:
Obstacles:
Passion(s)

Duet Blocking and Movement

1. Where does this scene take place (research or take clues from the script to find out),
______________________________________________________________________________
Now draw the room:

2. Look at your script: Mark areas where you will move list the line number and movement here
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What are you going to do to bring this story to life with your body?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What different interactions will you have with your partner (hand holding , closeness, ect.)
a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________

On the back there are three stage maps, one for the beginning section of your story, one for the
middle section, one for the end section. Write the line that provides the shift to this new map above it
on the line. *Do not forget to fill out the sheet that has lines for each map on it. Draw a star where you
being in each section, draw a circle for where your partner begins each section, mark any movement
that is taken with lines.
First Stage map. Line:___________________________________________________________________

Second Stage map. Line:_________________________________________________________________

Third Stage map. Line:__________________________________________________________________

Blocking Line Sheet

Beginning stage map:
1. ________________________
39.
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
5. ________________________
6. ________________________
7. ________________________
8. ________________________
9. ________________________
10. ________________________
11. ________________________
12. ________________________
13. ________________________
14. ________________________
15. ________________________
16. ________________________
17. ________________________
18. ________________________
19. ________________________
20. ________________________
21. ________________________
22. ________________________
23. ________________________
24. ________________________
25. ________________________
26. ________________________
27. ________________________
28. ________________________
29. ________________________
30. ________________________
31. ________________________
32. ________________________
33. ________________________
34. ________________________
35. ________________________
36. ________________________
37. __________________________
40.
38. ___________________________

Middle stage map:

Ending Stage map:

___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________

__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_______________________

Script Practice and work

*This gives your read through with different focuses, complete them on the day listed (get another
groups initials by the date saying you did it then)

1.

4/15 Information read-through (no effort of any kind; do not work for characterization or
emotion; just gather textual facts.) What facts did you notice during this read through?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2.

4/17 Communion read-through (maximum eye contact, touching when comfortable and
natural; pauses and paraphrasing used as necessary) How did your partner communicate well
with you?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3.

4/17 Improvisation (talk and walk-through; focus on covering the information learned via
your own words; focus on covering all subject or issue beats in the scene. What was
interesting about this?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4.

4/22 Exploration (script in hand; organic combing and search). Highlight three to focus on
during this read through:
weather/climate work
eating/drinking work
opposite value work
entrance/exit work
opposite style work
role reversal work

single intention work

special problem work (dialects, Handicapt,
love scenes, fights, etc.)
metaphor work
special object/hand prop work,
etc.

5.

4/22 Set the movement patterns and set all scoring of business. Make final character and
emotion decisions (choices and discarding). What change did you make?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

6.

4/24 Rhythm run-through with all performance. Where there any places with awkward
pauses?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

7.

4/24 Polish run-throughs (ideally with someone observing, taking and giving notes).
Preview in front of a few persons, if possible. Signatures of who watched
___________________________________
____________________________________
_____________________________________
____________________________________

Duet Rehearsal
1. Did the introduction gave all of the needed background information? Yes No
2. Did it make you want to hear the story? Yes No
3. How was their blocking for the scene?
Was it Planned 1 2 3 4 5 What can they do to improve it?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Could you tell their environment
1 2 3 4 5 What can they do to improve it?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Did they upstage each other Yes or No Where was it?
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Could you identify all objects mimed? Yes or No What was hard to identify?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4.
5.
6.
7.

Did They have well developed characters Yes or No

Were their voice and body appropriate for the character? Yes or No
Did they maintain the character the whole time? Yes or No
Did the duet hold your attention? Yes No
___________________________________________________________________________

8. How well memorized was their duet?

1 2 3 4 5
9. Did they have the appropriate connection for the scene?

1 2 3 4 5

10. What are some specific notes for improvement would you give them?

___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________