My college acting class is using "A Practical Handbook For The Actor" for its curriculum, and one of the chapters is devoted to analyzing scripts. I have never done anything like this before, analyzing a script to find out what its purpose is, its meaning. Has anyone ever analyzed a script before? I'm a bit worried that I won't immediately be able to identify the purpose of any given scene in a script. I should know how to do this because I have tried writing scripts before, but I have never had experience with analyzing them. Can anyone help?

The first reading should introduce the designer to the story. During the second reading he should look for conceptual images and the dramatic mood and during the third reading he should develop lists of the specific design requirements. Below are a few of the questions which should be able to be answered after reading the play...

What happens in the scene?
Who are involved?
Which character dominates the action?
What is the climax (or crisis)?
What is the setting or location of the scene?
What is the period of the action?
What images (metaphors) are suggested by the script?
What is needed to stage the scene? Entrances and Exits? Set props?
What time of day does the scene take place?
What are the sources of light?

Hope that helps- analyzing scripts and characters can be tricky. Just the other day my boy help me with one that I'm setting up for an audition this coming Monday. Knock em'died.

Others please chime in if I may have left something out.