Comp/Lit 9: 12/9/2010

Romeo & Juliet, Act II

• I introduced the Romeo & Juliet Performance Project at the beginning of the period.  This is a project that has a couple of elements and will be in progress for several weeks.  
• The students will need to select a group and a scene by Monday December 13.  I will draw names out of a hat, and groups will be able to sign-up when their name is called.  No scene may be done more than once.
• During the week of December 13, the students will need to create cue cards for their lines.  These are due on Friday December 17.  The students will also need to begin to explore their character to learn as much detail as possible.  The Creating a Character assignment (pages 3-4 of the performance packet) will also be due on Friday December 17.
• It is expected that the students will work to memorize their lines.
• After break, each student will turn in a typed assignment that will include two paragraphs and be a minimum of one page in length.  The first paragraph will be a summary of the scene they will be performing.  The second paragraph will be about their character specifically.  They will need to write about the character's motivations, feelings, thoughts, actions, etc. I highly recommend that you use the Creating a Character handout to help you write this.
• The students will have a part of one class period to prepare.  This time should be thought of as a dress rehearsal, in other words, all memorizing, blocking, staging, sound effects, set design, costumes and props should all be done and figured out.  
• Finally, the performances will take place in class.  On the day of the performances, students will need to make sure that one group member is prepared to introduce the scene.  Each student will need to have his/her costume and props.  And everyone will need to bring a food or drink item to share.
• Periods 5 & 7 completed the friend quick write.
• We spent the rest of the period listening to Act II.  We stopped several times to discuss the amazing poetry and many of Shakespeare's most famous lines.
• Homework:  Complete the Act II notes and visual; VFA #15-16; decide on your group and scene for the performance project.