Requirements:
presentation of a 5-7 minute script combining narration with selections
from the play to convey a universal theme of the group’s choosing. Written
script must accompany the performance. Play excerpts should be "acted,"
not merely "read." All speakers will speak clearly and will be graded
(see rubric) on their enunciation, composure, and overall preparedness.
Props and costuming are optional but encouraged. Performances
may take place live or be videotaped beforehand and presented to the class.
Process:
1. Decide upon a theme and thesis (see example)
Theme: Shakespeare’s philosophy touches everyone.
Thesis: All of humanity’s passion, its loves, its tragedies, and
its victories can be found in Shakepeare’s plays.
2. Make a list of soliloquies, monologues, or dialogues which support
this theme (see example)
-
Hamlet’s "what a piece of work is a man . . ."
-
Portia’s "The quality of mercy . . ."
-
R & J balcony scene
-
Life = Play (Macbeth and Hamlet)
-
Puck’s closing monologue
3. Write narration to explain and link the pieces you have chosen. Narration
should be powerful and should include details about each supporting piece.
(see "Shakespeare
Sampler" for example)
4. WRITE SCRIPT. Have Ms. Ford edit it. Revise, make copies, distribute
and
5. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. If you don’t understand a character’s
motivation in a particular scene, ask for help! If you don’t know how to
pronounce a word, ask for help! If you don’t understand a word’s meaning,
look it up in the dictionary!
6. Performance dates: Feb. 28th-March 3rd.
RUBRIC FOR THE PROJECT
Score |
Script |
Score |
Performance |
10-9 |
-
Theme is clear and supported
-
Scenes chosen reflect a real understanding of the play and characters
-
Narration is reflective and profound
|
10-9 |
-
Script drives the performance—actors are not “winging it”
-
Acting is convincing, composed, and supportive of theme
-
Group went ABOVE AND BEYOND the requirements creatively using props,
costumes, sets, and/or music to enhance the script
|
8-7 |
-
Theme is clear and supported
-
Scenes support theme· Narration aids in transition between scenes
and conveys a structure
|
8-7 |
-
Script drives the performance
-
Reading of scenes is clear and composed
|
6-5 |
-
Theme is unclear
-
Scenes don’t serve to support theme OR· Narration does
little more than summarize scenes
|
6-5 |
-
Script is not well-constructed enough to drive the performance OR
-
Reading of scenes in interrupted by laughing or is ill-rehearsed OR
-
Use of props, costuming, or sets is distracting or inappropriate
|
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