Download Performing Drama Group Skits and Rubric

Performing Drama: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Your Task: Shakespeare did not write plays to be read; he wrote his plays to be performed
on stage by actors. Your task will be to get into groups. Each group will then select a
specific act/scene from The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
You are not required to “memorize” your script or lines, but will receive extra credit if
you do. Everyone is free to use their books or write down their lines and read them while
they “act.” This is called Readers’ Theatre, meaning that the actors perform while they read
their scripts.
Make sure your performance pays attention to the stage directions and narration
(Asides, soliloquies, monologues, entrances, exits, etc.).
Get into five groups and select a favorite scene from one of the five Acts of The
Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. (I will sign you up on a first-come-first-serve basis, one group
per Act). Next, your group will quietly read their selected scene of the play. You may choose
your own act and scene, but get it approved with me. When you finish reading the scene,
write a one-paragraph summary of the scene. The summary should describe the setting,
characters involved, and the overall importance of the scene to the plot. Lastly, follow the
Readers’ Theatre Rubric/checklist below to organize your dramatic performance. Some
ideas for acts and scenes are below. Have fun; be creative!
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Act
Act
Act
Act
Act
Act
Act
Act
4.1
4.3
4.5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.3
5.3
= 3 members
= 2 members
= 5 members
= 3 members
= 2 members
part 1 pages 97-100 = 5 members
part 2 page 100 - 101 = 3 members
part 3 page 102-105 = 5 to 7 members
Dramatic Performance Checklist:
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Group reads the summary of their selected act and scene from Romeo and Juliet before
they perform their scene. (10 points)______
Skit is performed seriously and professionally; it avoids disclaimers, laughing, and an
overall appearance of disorganization and carelessness. Skit is organized, planned, and
prepared (10 points)______
Skit demonstrates the best reasonable effort for Honors 9th graders (10 points)______
Skit includes costumes and at least four props to reinforce plot of the play (20
points)_____
Group reads their lines clearly and loudly, and every group member has at least one
speaking role (10 points)______
Staging, asides, exits/entrances, monologues, acting, setting, and props of skit reflect
the plot and staging directions of Romeo and Juliet accurately and clearly (20
points)______
Group performs their Readers’ Theatre to the class (20 points)______
Total Points = 100
Group’s Score = ________
Due = Monday, November 9
Important Tips:
1. Groups who attempt to memorize their lines will earn extra credit. I will double the
memorization score.
2. Before you perform your scene in front of the class, a group member must state the
following:
• State the Act, scene and line numbers, e.g. “We will be presenting Act 1.3.39-92
• Briefly describe the scene you will be performing:
• Describe any background information that is necessary in order to
understand what is happening in your skit
• Which characters are present?
• What is happening in your particular scene?
• Describe the setting. In other words, where does the scene take place?
Explain why or how the scene is important to the overall plot of Romeo
and Juliet Act 5. For example, was anything important learned? Was the
mood/setting/background information of the play established? Did the
scene move the plot forward in a significant way? Is an important
character trait revealed to the audience? Does a turn in events
occur/conflict initiated? Etc.
3. You may use NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE online to translate your act and scene into modern
English. This may make it easier to memorize lines.
4. If you choose to do a Readers’ Theatre, be sure to integrate your scripts naturally into
the performance. Your books or scripts should not distract or disrupt the flow of the
acting.
Dramatic Performance Rubric
Look Fors
Starring
Role
You’re in the
play, but keep
practicing
3 points
Memorization or
Preparation
(Readers’
Theatre) (x2)
Know all lines, stage
directions, and cues
OR Lines are read
clearly, group does
not stumble over
words. Practice is
evident
Miss some lines but
recover
OR A few lines and
words are stumbled
over
Some practice and
planning is evident
Costume/Makeup (x3)
Complete,
appropriate costume
and/or make-up
Costume is
inappropriate for
character
Props and visual
aids (x3)
A minimum of four
quality props are
used effectively to
enhance performance
Speech is clear
4 points
Call Back
2 points
Still
Auditioning
1 or 0 points
Break character
searching for lines
OR Many lines and
words are stumbled
over
Practice and
planning not very
apparent
Incomplete
costume/looks
rushed
Forget all or most of
lines
OR
No planning or
practice is apparent.
Group struggles over
all lines and words
Four props are used
but lack in quality,
look rushed
Fewer than four
props are used
No props
Some words unclear,
mispronounced
Stumbles over most
of the words
Incoherent
Makes no sense
Projects to entire
room
Can hear in back but
with some difficulty
Projects only to
people in front rows
No one can hear,
Lines are mumbled
Delivery (x2)
Comfortable
blending of sound,
silence, movement,
stillness
Few pauses, no
variety in pace
Too fast, no pauses,
very little “effect”
Too slow, too many
unplanned pauses, no
“effect”
Stage Presence
(x3)
No visible signs of
nervousness.
Comfortable use of
stage, Natural eye
contact
Shows enthusiasm
Evokes reactions
from audience
Shows enthusiasm.
Some visible
nervousness. Eye
contact is attempted
Very little
enthusiasm. Eye
contact minimal.
Nervous through
most of performance
Visibly nervous, no
eye contact
No enthusiasm
Hits emotional highs
and lows
A few moments of
emotion
All student are
somewhat familiar
with their characters
Some students
Are somewhat
familiar with their
characters
Says lines with no
emotion
Evokes no emotional
response
Students have never
met their characters
Enunciation (x2)
Volume (x2)
Emotion (x3)
Characterization
(x5)
Students become
their characters
Total Points: 100 Group Score:____________
No costume