Double Dilemma Slides A
B
Double Dilemma
Staging Matilda Jr.
The Director's Spatial Challenge
The Situation
Plan A: Auditorium
Proscenium: Traditional frame; focus on big visuals.Distance: Audience is far; large gestures needed.Direction: Focus on the "fourth wall" and flat blocking.
Plan B: Black Box
Thrust: Audience on 3 sides; immersive environment.Intimacy: Audience is very close; details are key.Direction: 3D blocking; no true "upstage" safety.
"Even if you're little, you can do a lot!"
Sightlines
Can everyone see the magic from the side seats?
Entrances
How do characters enter without "backstage"?
Transitions
Turning a classroom into a library in seconds.
Key Moments to Solve
Address these three challenges in your pitch:
1
The Chokey
Making the spikes feel real in a 3D space.
2
Bruce's Cake
Hiding the "mess" from all angles.
3
Ghost Writing
The chalkboard reveal for all seats.
Friday's Vision Pitch
One slide deck, two solutions. Prove that the story remains magical in any room.
Sketches
Blocking
Rationale
Director Vision Handout The Director's Vision
Project: Matilda Jr. Spatial Adaptation
Due: Friday
"The Miracle is You..."
As Directors, you must adapt your vision to the room you're in. This week, you will develop a staging pitch for Matilda Jr. in two venues: the Auditorium and the Black Box .
Your final product is the Student Pitch Deck , a fill-in-the-blank presentation that proves your magic works from every angle.
Focus Areas
• Sightlines & Viewpoints
• 3D Actor Orientation
• Rapid Transitions
• Practical Stage Magic
Day 1: Initial Script Analysis & Notes
Identify key set pieces and where they will enter in both venues...
Production Schedule
01
Analysis: List all required set pieces and all entrance points for the Classroom scenes.
02
Proscenium: Draft your Auditorium floor plan in the Student Pitch Deck .
03
Thrust: Adapt staging for the Black Box in the Student Pitch Deck .
04
Solutions: Finalize your "Impossible Scene" technical logic and sketches.
05
The Pitch: Group presentations using your completed slide deck.
Final Deliverables
✓ Completed Student Pitch Deck Template.
✓ 2 Detailed Floor Plans (Classroom).
✓ 2 "Impossible Scene" Technical Sketches.
✓ Final Director's Vision Statement.
Project Grading
Spatial Awareness (Sightlines) 40%
Creative Problem Solving 30%
Visual Presentation Quality 20%
Pitch Delivery & Rationale 10%
"Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world." — Matilda
Stage Sketcher Worksheet Stage Sketcher
Directorial Floor Plans: Matilda Jr.
Name: _________________________________
Goal: Draft the ground plan for the Classroom scene. Consider furniture, actor entrances, and sightlines.
1. Proscenium Layout (Auditorium)
Stage Drawing Area
Apron / Front Orchestra
Key Set Pieces & Entrances
Director's Note (Focus/Depth)
2. Thrust Layout (Black Box)
Side Audience (Left)
Side Audience (Right)
Front Audience Area
Stage Space
Upstage Wall
Wall Layout Notes
Entrance Logic
Solving for 3-Sided Viewing
Sightline Focus (Impossible Seats?)
Director's Duel: The Chalkboard
Propose a solution for the chalkboard reveal so all seats see the "ghost writing" without blocking views.
Student Pitch Deck Template Matilda Jr. Pitch
Director's Concept Deck
Theatre Company: _____________________________________
Directors: _______________________________________________________
Venue: Proscenium
Constraints
1
2
3
Big Stage Goal:
In the auditorium, we will use the wide stage to emphasize
Venue: Thrust
Intimacy Focus:
In the Black Box, we will handle audience closeness by
Constraints
1
2
3
Proscenium Map
Sketch Area
Apron / Stage Edge
Thrust Map
Sketch Area
Audience
Audience
Audience
Upstage Wall
Solving: The Chokey
Problem 01
Auditorium
Black Box
Visual Concept
Solving: Ghost Writing
Problem 02
Technical Logic
Our team will execute the reveal by:
Rationale:
____________________________________________________________
Placement
Sketch Here
Vision Statement
Our production of Matilda Jr. centers on the theme of ________________________.
Whether we perform on proscenium or thrust, we will
By prioritizing ________________________, we ensure that every member experiences the miracle of ________________________.
Sign-Off
_________________________________
Final Pitch
