The Crucible

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A play primarily engages the enthusiasm of directors, actors, and technicians through the story.

The playwright makes the audience concerned for a character by focusing on a conflict that involves something important to the characters.

The protagonist of a play is the major character who usually drives the action forward.

Exposition gives the audience background information.

Most of the plays that are produced in the United States today are produced with the hope that they will make money.

Slide 24

American Drama (cont’d)

Playwrights must usually find an agent who submits a play to producers who are likely to consider it.

The producer . . . .

advances money to finance a play.

meets with agents who represent the playwrights.

works with a playwright on changes to a play.

Theater is a collaborative medium.

A director and actors “take away” a play from its author.

Rehearsals are both pleasant and tense.

Producers seldom take risks on plays.

Thousands of plays are copyrighted each year.

The audience can contribute to a good performance.