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THEATRE 570: Scene Work in Pre-Modern Texts

Finding what an actor might need to prepare to perform

Researching the Play

Some of the research you will do will be about the play, playwright, and genre context. It may be helpful to look at sources about broader topics even if this play isn't prominent. Brainstorm terms and synonyms for the genres and time periods involved.

Research the Setting

When researching the world of your character, you can't learn everything about the time and place of the setting-- that would take a lifetime! Consulting the play text can help you prioritize. What elements of the play's world are most important? How are details described in the dialogue or stage directions? 

In The Convent of Pleasure, the dress, household furnishings, and legal circumstances of Lady Happy are central to the story line. 

Details about dress, marriage practices, and household items associated with Lady Happy

To turn these ideas and details into search terms, we'll need to keep things very simple, but to choose key ideas and brainstorm synonyms. Some possible search terms for the clothing aspect of our research might be:

  • fashion
  • dress
  • shepherd*
  • clothing
  • textiles
  • fabric