Duet Scenes

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most
immediate way in which a human being can share with another
the sense of what it is to be a human being.” – Oscar Wilde
Vocabulary

 Duet Scene: A scene from a play, musical, or film that

involves two people, two chairs, using two or more
characters.
 Scoring of a script: The notation of the placement of
beats, blocking, and vocal elements such as inflections,
stresses, and speaking tempos.
 Blocking / Staging: Planning and working out the
movements and stage grouping for a play.
 Subtext: The underlying meaning or interpretation of a
line, which is not indicated in the script but is supplied
by the actor.
Selecting the Material

 Selecting material for your duet scene may be your most

difficult task.

 Don’t make the mistake of letting someone else select

material for you. Find a selection you like.

 You need to choose your own material. This is the only

way to reach your true potential.
Preparing the Material
After reading the script several times, answer the following questions
(page 290):

1. What words do you need to check for meaning and pronunciation?

2. Who (point of view) is speaking in this selection? Who is the
audience?
3. How well are the characters developed in the selection?
4. How effective is the language (descriptive words or dialogue) in the
selection?
5. What are the plot elements (introduction / setting, body, climax, and
conclusion)?
6. What is the mood of the scene?
7. What is the theme of the selection?
8. What is the author’s message?
9. How does this selection affect you and relate to your background?
10. Does this selection have literary merit? Why?
Presenting the Material

 Have a professional slate. Both you and your scene

partner need to have the slate memorized.
 Take a moment after the slate before you begin the
performance. Use this brief moment to gather your
concentration for the scene.
 Do not improvise or add any blocking, dialogue, or
actions that were not previously set in the rehearsal
period.
 Listen to one another, and concentrate on your
characters’ objectives, obstacles, and tactics.
Duo Scene Example #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0
Z7BNgIVC98&feature=share&list=PL
060906E82CBDAA65
Duo Scene Example #1 part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t
P35wdNbdo4&list=PL060906E82CBD
AA65
Duo Scene Example #2
Duo Scene Example #2 part 2
Duo Scene Example #3
Duo Scene Example #3 part 2