Rehearsals are well underway for the AP classes’ performances of scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I thought I’d include a few rehearsal pictures here on the main page this time.

Amelia and Hannah rehearsing Lysander and Hermia (use your imagination a bit, folks)

Dylan, as Thisbe, and Andrew, as Pyramus, look through Dan, the wall’s chink

A different view of the same scene in third period with Steve, Ryan and John

And, last but not least, Devon, having more fun than he ever imagined possible when we started the project.

I’m VERY proud of the work everyone has done so far, memorizing lines and stepping out of their comfort zones to try some Shakespearean acting. The results on Wednesday/Performance day will be rewarding for all of you.

Once you have scene:
Edit for length and clarity
Paraphrase entire scene, sentence for sentence, looking up words you don’t know.
Do with partners and write down others’ line meanings so you understand everything.

Write the definition of any words that are unfamiliar to you near the word with a phonetic pronunciation guide immediately over it.

Check with me when done with paraphrase and word look-up.

Next analyze scene:

Answer the following questions yourself, in writing on your script, then discuss them with your group members.

Characterization:
1. What traits does your character have and what lines best show those traits?
2. How does your character feel about other characters and where does that show in the lines? What conflicts does your character have?
3. What motivates your character in this scene? What does your character hope to gain from each character at different parts of the scene?
4. What obstacles are in your way in obtaining your objectives in this scenes? Be specific. What are your strategies for overcoming these objectives

Setting (Use the form to match the content):
1. What is the physical environment of this scene?
2. How can you move in this environment to correspond with the pursuit of your objectives and the portrayal of the conflicts in the scene?

Memorizing:
Repetition, repetition, repetition!
Good: reading lines in head over and over
Better: Reading lines aloud with a partner over and over
or recording to listen to on ipod and say with it over and over
Best: Acting out the scene with blocking and props over and over

The more senses involved in the memorizing process, the more firmly planted in the long term memory. Also, the longer you’ve committed something to memory the further in long term memory it is.

Acting is not memorizing lines, just as playing a sport is not simply learning the basic positions, shots, and plays.

Have lines memorized by June 3