Twelfth Night Group Project

(100 points per person)

Group Performance

Select a comic scene/segment from your act to perform for the class, exaggerating the humor or comedic elements that you found.

  • Your scene may include as many members of your group as necessary in the performance (some may need to take more than one role), but all must participate in a meaningful way to create the performance. If you do not perform, write me a few detailed paragraphs to persuade me of your contribution to the performance and have your group mates sign it. (Perhaps staging, props, scripting, music, etc…..)

The following scenes are crucial to understanding the play and may help you narrow the choice:

  • Act I, scene iv — Viola revels that she, pretending to be a he, has fallen in love with Duke Orsino.
  • Act I, scene v — Countess Olivia reveals that she has fallen in love with Cesario, really Viola.
  • Act II, scene iii — The conspirators plan revenge on Malvolio after he reprimands them.
  • Act II, scene v — Malvolio finds the forged letter and is taken in by it.
  • Act III, scene iv — Malvolio makes a fool of himself before Olivia; Sir Andrew starts his duel; and Viola/Cesario,seen as Sebastian, refuses to return money to the sea captain, thus giving Viola hope that her brother lives.
  • Act IV, scene iii — Olivia marries Sebastian, thinking he is Cesario/Viola
  • Act V — The deceptions are discovered and the plot resolved.

For an A grade:

  • A well-rehearsed scene with a concerted effort to be obviously familiar with the lines (You may hold prompt cards.)
  • Incorporates clear movements that demonstrate an understanding of the characters and the action and has a clear plan guiding the direction of the scene
  • The use of costumes and props and/or a simple set to enhance the scene is optional.
  • If you wish, you may record your performance to be played on VHS or DVD for the class instead of performing live.

Group Strategy

  • Read your scene aloud to each other until you feel you understand it well.
  • Ask each other questions about the lines, the characters, the action.
  • Get a concept. What is the main idea of the scene, and how will you convey it?
  • Cut (if necessary) and set the scene. Talk about stage arrangement (At the front of our classroom? In the center? -- Feel free to rearrange the desks if it makes your performance wonderful), costumes, music, special effects, or anything else that will help convey your concept of the scene.
  • Stage the scene. Make group decisions about where the scene takes place, what the scene looks like, where entrances are, who should be positioned where, what characters need for props, how characters arrive, what characters do, and so on. Will you place it in the current century? The past or the future? Do it as Greeks? Geeks? Freaks? What? Music, dance, physical humor to accompany the words???
  • Rehearse.
  • Rehearse.
  • Rehearse some more.
  • Polish and perform. (Follow this paradoxical dictum: Take this comedy seriously!)

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