English 12 - Block C

Short Plays in Collaboration: The Unseen Scenes

As part of English 12, we have read different forms of literature from different genres, exploring a variety of characters and stories. In each of the novels and short stories we have read, the author has chosen to explore CERTAIN details to clarify the plot and to expose CERTAIN character traits to offer insight into their motivations and life histories. You and your partner will write a short play based on an imagined (but viable and believable) unseen scene for at least one of the characters in one of the stories or novels we have read.

You will be working with a partner to write this compelling short play. These pieces, if high quality, will be used for scene study practice by Riverside’s Drama classes.

Your play will include:

  1. One or two settings only (minimal scene changes)
  2. 3-5 written pages
  3. A beginning, middle (problem, conflict or opposing force) and end.
  4. A detailed prop list
  5. Stage Directions (expected movements of the actors onstage, adding to the reader’s understanding of the action, italicized)
  6. A cast of characters with brief character descriptions (these will be cross-referenced with the novel or story upon which it is based)

You are expected to collaborate respectfully: core competencies (social responsibility, creative thinking and communication).

IMPORTANT DATES:

A rough draft of your script will be due on: December 20, 2018 to Ms. Roberge’s email () and on your blog.

The rough draft will be submitted as a word document, or a Google doc, and it will be “messy”. The first draft is the “skeleton” of the piece. The “spine” or key action of the play will be there, as well as the characters’ motivations. What or whose story are you telling, and why?

A final copy will be due in Ms. Roberge’s email () and on your blog: January 9, 2018

The final draft will include “the muscles, breath and heart” of the piece. How can you develop believable characters using believable dialogue in a short, sharp show? The audience only knows what the world is by what the characters say and do and feel. These short plays are companion pieces to the great works of literature we have studied in this class.

SHORT PLAY RUBRIC

Excellent 3 points / Good 2 points / Average 1 point
  1. Theme
/ Thought-provoking and relevant, substantially explored. / Has potential but requires development. / Unclear, or implies a harmful message.
  1. Plot
/ Just complicated enough, and paced well to reach a dramatic climax. / Intriguing and fully realized. / Too simple, or too complicated, or just doesn’t make sense.
  1. Characters
/ Features intriguing relatable characters. The protagonist confronts a conflict and as a result is changed in some small or large way. / Original, sympathetic characters need more development. / Flat, vague or cliché
  1. Dialogue
/ Economic. Witty. Each character’s voice is distinctive. / Serviceable. Gets the point across with occasional flashes of humor or cleverness. / Unintentionally stiff and contrived. Sounds like the TV.
  1. Staging
/ Staging, though minimalist, creatively enhances the drama. / Mostly practical and effective, but may need simplification or clarification. / Staging is not described, or too difficult to stage.
  1. Creativity
/ The story contains many creative details that contribute to the reader’s enjoyment. The authors have really used their imagination. / The story contains a few creative details that contribute to the reader’s enjoyment. The authors have used their imagination. / The story contains a few creative details, but they distract from the story. The authors have tried to use their imagination.
  1. Writing Process
/ Students devoted a lot of time and effort to the writing process. / Students devoted sufficient time and effort to the writing process. / Students devote some time and effort to the writing process.
  1. Collaboration
/ Students worked extremely well with their collaborators / Students generally were good with their collaborators but there were some issues during the collaboration process / Students did not work well with their collaborators during the collaboration process.
  1. Entertainment Value for a Family Show
/ Thumbs up! Captured the essence of a one act play. / The playwright’s intended effect is achieved. / All in all the play, though skillful in ways, doesn’t work.
10. SELF ASSESSMENT / COMPLETED THOUGHTFULLY / COMPLETED / INCOMPLETE

Potential total: /30