Responding to Dr. Fletcher's prompt Trifles by Susan Glaspell

Producing the play Trifles is a wonderful idea. I have read this play several times and still picture how it would appear on stage. The idea of producing this play with minimal props and settings would be ideal, however to perform this play well would be to create an environment that draws the audience and character's in. If I was asked to produce and direct this play I would be specific and elaborate in the furniture choices down to the colors of lighting. Trifles has an interesting vibe that had me asking questions from the beginning. Why did Mrs. Hale never visit Minnie Foster? Why was Minnie Foster dead inside? What was the main motivation behind John Wright’s death? So many questions boggle around in my head. To dramatically explain the play through a performance would be incredibly detailed.  

From a director's perspective I would agree that focusing on the words and emotions give a certain intention to the play. Selecting on a few key props to signify and tie in the play would increase the suspense and draw the audience's eye. For example placing an empty birdcage and some rope on stage would be foreshadowing the ultimate theme. I understand preserving the conclusion to the climax of the play; but "to entertain an audience you must make them ask questions."  With minimal objects it might be hard to tell a story. In the viewer’s point of view some may not be able to visually see what the actors are trying to say in the story. It is the director’s idea and artistic mind that puts on the show. I believe that directors should consider how well the audience will be able to picture in their minds the rest of the story with so few costumes, props, and set pieces. Although to perform a great work of art does not need to always be from a certain point of view. The saying, “less is more” describes this director’s frame of mind.