Promptbook Project
This project is designed to show an understanding of the concepts and lectures of this class. You can be as creative as you’d like, provided you complete each of the sections. For this assignment, we will be using the play “A Streetcar Named Desire,†by Tennessee Williams. For each section be sure to include your thoughts and explain your choices in your own words (when applicable). Don’t just print out information and stick it in the PDF.
Section 1 THEATRE
Find a theatre anywhere in the world and tell me everything you can about it. What kind of stage is it, do they have a seating chart, do they have a dressing room, green rooms, scene shop? Parking, subway, etc. The theatre MUST be standing today. (No environmental theatre or found space.)
Section 2 BIOGRAPHY OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
In your OWN words… tell me about Tennessee Williams. Include his life and anything that may have been reflected in “A Streetcar Named Desire.†What were some of his other plays? Did he win any awards? Tell me anything of importance.
Section 3 PLOT SUMMARY
Tell me the story of “A Streetcar Named Desire.†Describe what happens in the play, climatic moments, etc.
Section 4 THEME
What is the theme of the play? What is the message that Tennessee Williams wants you to get from the play?
Section 5 CHARACTER DESCRIPTION
Describe each of the characters. In three to five lines, use words to describe them- age, height, disposition, etc.
Section 6 DIRECTOR’S RESUME
Find a resume of a theatre director to direct your production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.†Include the resume in the book and explain why you chose this director. They must be alive and have directed for the stage in their career.
Section 7 DREAM CAST
Who would you cast from today’s pool of actors? They can be from theatre, movies, television, etc. They must be alive, and the age they are today. Explain your choices.
Section 8 GROUND PLAN
Draw the “ground plan/ floor plan†of one of the scenes in “A Streetcar Named Desire.†It must be able to fit on the stage that you have chosen for Section 1.
Section 9 COSTUME DESIGN
Choose a costume (clothing) for each of our characters. Make sure the clothing fits the time period and area that the play in set in.
Section 10 PROP LIST
This is a list of all the props they use in the play. These are things that the actors handle- not clothing that they wear. There should be at least 60 items on this list. You can organize it by scene or make a running list. (No explanation is needed for this section.)
Section 11 POSTER DESIGN
The poster should be original for your production. It MUST have the name of the play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,†the name of the playwright, Tennessee Williams, and the name of the theatre you chose in Section 1. Other than that… be creative.