Tim Miller Play Analysis

Tim Miller’s play Rooted discusses a controversial topic about marriage equality and when a social change is finally achieved. His solo performance displays a serious, yet comical tone about the struggles his husband and him were faced with in order to get to where they are today. Miller gives his audience great detail on riots he participated in and his thoughts on the government. He also shares his family history and the important role it has on his life today. Miller’s solo performance of Rooted makes a comfortable atmosphere to talk openly about controversial topics.

Miller used many aesthetic choices to make his performance effective. Some of the most important choices he used, in my eyes, were the sound effects, costume choices,
I first thought the performance would consist of many performers, like the Nutcracker play. Miller’s performance, being more of a poetical speech in my eyes, showed me that there are many different ways a performance can be displayed. The way he performed allowed for a comfortable feeling in a way that anything could be spoken about in the room. He was so open to the crowd that it made me feel like he had nothing to hide and was very trustworthy on the topic of social changes being achieved. The performance was effective because it spoke of such a controversial topic that is still being discriminated against today. His passion and experiences with the government made it effective to me. The stories he shared of being dragged away and cuffed by police officers made me realize that he really is passionate on social changes being achieved for anyone, not just him. For years, gay marriage was discouraged. It was an idea that was against God’s laws, people would say. Now that more states are making it legal, I see that this is a realistic situation. Miller’s way of joking about his life and being gay, yet getting serious on more dramatic parts of his story allows the performance to be effective and
Miller walked off stage and smacked his hands hard, as if being punished. He then slapped his own hand over and over, making it the color of bright red. He expressed that this is how he felt until his love for a man was finally accepted by the government. The crowd at this point was quiet and very focused on him. I think, in our own ways, we related to the “slapping on the hand” technique. I think this was a powerful part of the performance because it expressed how Miller truly felt growing up and being looked at differently for being gay. I personally can relate to this. When I was younger my parents would smack my hands hard if I did something I was not suppose to do or touched something I was told not to. If I were to use this in a story of explaining my own story, I would use the lighting the way he did when speaking of my punishment like he did. I would have the lights get black and one single spot light focus on me slapping my hands. I believe, in a way, it makes it more powerful and allows one to remember it more easily. I would want to make the atmosphere of the room I was performing in so comfortable like he did for us. The way one performs allows for the play to be effective or not. I think it is about the passion behind the story, and Miller did an excellent job of