Concert/Drama/Art Response Paper

The student is required to attend a live performance of a concert or play.  If this cannot be arranged a visit to a museum will be acceptable.  The visit culminates in a Response Paper documenting the student’s reactions to and perceptions of the performance/showing.  It is strongly suggested that the student attend a performance at Bergen Community College.  If this is impossible due to work or school commitments another performance can be substituted with prior consent of the instructor.   A visit to area museums such as the Metropolitan, MOMA, or the Guggenheim in New York City is also acceptable.  Papers can be submitted at any time.  Please refer to the course outline/syllabus for final due date for all written assignments.

The student should include the following in the Response Paper:

The Performance, Show or Drama 

-                     The program (the whole program, you may decide to concentrate on one   of the pieces for the paper)

-                     The writer, artists, composer

-                     The date of the performance/show and where it was seen

            -           What is known about the period, piece, composer/playwright/artist.  Is                          the piece indicative of the style or is it unusual?

            -           When was it created.

            -           Ticket stub and program (If it is a free performance, program alone will be                     acceptable.)

Analysis of the performance or show

            -           The student should discuss their impressions of the performance/show.

-                   Use class discussions as guidelines to analyze the particular art form.

-                     What was the quality of the performance/show?  (Professional, amateur, well done, not well done, etc.)

-                   What was the setting?  Did it help or hinder the piece?

-                   What was the audience’s reaction?

Student impressions (critical thinking): The following are possible questions to answer. 

-                    What was the artist’s original point and do you think the       performance/showing remained true to that?

-                     Did you like it? - Why? Why not?

-                     How does it compare to other works by the artist.

-                     Did the performance move you; deepen your understanding of the piece?

The paper should be 2 to 3 pages, double-spaced, and typed.  Include your name, date, class and performance attended.   References to books, program notes, etc. should be footnoted and listed on a separate bibliography page.