Shakespearean Performance:

You’re the Director!

For this assignment, you will perform a scene of your choice from the play we’ve been reading.
This will demonstrate your understanding of the dramatic conventions, language, and characters
of Shakespeare’s time.

The Basics:
• Your performance should be recorded onto a flash-drive, DVD, or YouTube (I’ll need to
watch it more than once, so make extra copies if you wish to keep your performance.)
Groups that cannot pre-record their scenes must perform them live in front of the class.
• You may choose how many people are in your group (up to FIVE people), but each
person in the group must have a speaking role.
• The performances/viewings will take place during the last week of class before finals.
• Your grade will be based half on your performance and half on the supporting written
work.

My group members are:

Names: ______________________ Contact: _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________

The scene we will be performing is Act: __________ Scene: _____________

FAQ:
• Do we have to memorize lines? Yes, an A grade will not be given without memorization.
• Will there be any class time to work on this? Yes. A class period or two partial class
periods will be given for planning. However, you will need to do the rehearsal/recording
on your own time.
• How will we be graded? Each person will receive two grades: one on the written work,
and one on the performance. The written work is an individual grade; the performance is
a group grade.
• Which MYP Criterion will be evaluated? Your performance will be evaluated using
Criteria C: Producing Text; your written work will be evaluated using Criteria D: Using
Language.
Required Elements of the Written Work:
• Annotated Script – Print out a copy of your scene. In the margins, enter the following
pieces of information to indicate how the scene will be played by your character:
o Vocal pauses, stresses, and inflections
o Tone of voice
o Gestures and facial expressions (both those indicated by the text and those not)
o Notes or diagrams of actions and movements
o Definitions of words or phrases you do not understand
• Costumes – Your character will be dressing in all black attire. However, you may add
ONE accessory to the ensemble. Choose something that you think reflects the
personality of the character. Explain why you have chosen this item. What makes it
appropriate? Draw the costume or take a picture of yourself wearing the costume.
• Character Analysis – Write an analysis for your character(s).** As you prepare these,
question yourself about the characters’ motivations in the scene. Also consider what you
know about the character up to this point in the play, as well as the character’s
development throughout the play. Your analysis should be about 1-1.5 pages and should
include textual evidence! These questions will help you:
o What does the character want? (What is his/her subtext?)
o In terms of the scene as a whole, does the character get what s/he wants? If so,
how? If not, why? If your character’s efforts are frustrated, how does s/he
deal with the complications?
o What is noticeable about the way your character speaks? (Does he or she use
formal or informal language? Puns? Riddles? Sarcasm? Why does he or she
talk this way?)
**NOTE: If you play more than one character in the scene, you must do this for
each character you play.
• Set Design – Draw the set on a plain piece of paper. Draw all furniture and objects
present on your set, then place your actors on the set in their starting position. I should be
able to tell what your “stage” will look like as you begin to perform. (You can also use
graphic design/photographs to do this.)
• Prop List – Include a bulleted list of all the props you will use throughout the
performance.