Necessary Targets: Performers' vocal interpretation of character (accent, volume, pitch, timing, pace, intonation, phrasing, emotional range, delivery of lines)

Necessary Targets: Performers’ vocal interpretation of character (accent, volume, pitch, timing, pace, intonation, phrasing, emotional range, delivery of lines)

Accent and Dialect

  • The use of accent in the play is a symbolic and functional tool. The Bosnian characters’ distinct accents help differentiate them from the American characters, thereby reinforcing cultural differences and identities.
  • Characters like J.S and Melissa have standard American accents, reflecting their western background and contributing to their ‘outsider’ status. Their accents contrast sharply with the Bosnian characters, thereby emphasizing the cultural divide.

Volume and Pitch

  • Volume and pitch are employed to reinforce characters’ emotional states, their dominance or power in a scene. For instance, on recounting harrowing incidents of personal trauma, characters might speak in hushed tones or heightened pitches which help invoke empathy in the audience.
  • Seada’s character uses volume and pitch to her advantage, fluctuating between loud, frantic outbursts and soft, melancholic whispers to portray her traumatic psychological state.

Tempo, Pace, and Timing

  • “Tempo, pace, and timing” are integral in maintaining audience interest and in reflecting the tempo of the on-stage action.
  • Differentiating pace - swift during intense arguments or slow during reflective moments - depicts the narrative’s rhythm and the characters’ emotional pacing.
  • Strategic pauses or silences can be as telling as spoken dialogue, often used to underline emotional undercurrents or to build tension.

Intonation and Phrasing

  • Intonation and phrasing contribute significantly to the storytelling, revealing characters’ attitudes and emotions. Varied intonation can indicate sarcasm, surprise, anger, or other emotions.
  • Phrasing can establish a character’s education, social status or cultural background. J.S’s articulate phrasing contrasts with the more naturalistic, interrupted phrasing of the Bosnian women, highlighting the cultural and social divide.

Emotional Range and Line Delivery

  • The emotional range of characters in ‘Necessary Targets’ spans from serene to traumatic, requiring the performers to modulate their voices effectively to portray a variety of emotional states.
  • The delivery of lines, whether they are rushed, hesitated over, or delivered with conviction, provides further insight into a character’s emotional state and mindset. For instance, in moments of crisis, Azra’s dialogue becomes fragmented and panicked, reflecting her inner turmoil.

The vocal interpretation of characters in ‘Necessary Targets’ is crucial in conveying the breadth of human experiences and emotions the play encapsulates. Understanding the intricacies of these vocal elements will enhance the comprehension of the characters’ complexities and the play’s overarching themes.