Assignment:
Instructions
Plays are meant to be performed, rather than read. The purpose of dramatic arts often extends far beyond the words written on a page; staging, lighting, costumes intonation, expression, and audience experience are all part of the experience of a theatrical production. To develop your understanding of the cultural role of the dramatic arts, you will view a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Choose a play that you would like to view and find a version online, YouTube, DVD or iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc. You can also choose to see a play live if you prefer.
Play Suggestions:
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Romeo and Juliet
- As You Like It
- Taming of the Shrew
- The Tempest
- Much Ado About Nothing
- The Comedy of Errors
- Macbeth
- King Lear
If you have another idea, please ask your instructor to approve it.
Then, select and address one of the following options:
Option 1: Write an analysis of the play that you viewed. Include at least one quote from the play. Address the following:
- Identify the performance that you have selected.
- Describe the staging, lighting, costumes, and characters of the performance. How do these match or revise the written version of the play?
- You do not need to read the entire play, but you should skim the text.
- What type of mood and tone does the performance create? How?
- What parts of the play are easier to understand through performance? What are some details that stood out through performance?
- What are your feelings about this performance? What did you take away from viewing it?
Option 2: Find an adaptation or transformation of a play. Choose an adaptation with some significant differences from the original, such as transposed plots and characters into a variety of different settings and historical contexts. Here are some examples:
- A Midsummer Night's Dream - A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999) or A Midsummer Night's DREAM (2018)
- Romeo and Juliet - Romeo + Juliet (1996) or West Side Story (1961) or Romeo Must Die (2000)
- As You Like It - As You Like It (2006)
- Taming of the Shrew - 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) or Kiss Me, Kate (1948)
- Much Ado About Nothing - Much Ado About Nothing (2012)
- The Comedy of Errors - The Bomb-itty of Errors (2012)
- King Lear - A Thousand Acres (1997)
- Othello - O (2001)
- Hamlet - The Lion King (2019 or 1994) or Hamlet (2000)
- Twelfth Night - She's the Man (2006)
If you have another idea, please ask your instructor to approve it.
Watch the original version and the adapted version. Address the following:
- How is the adaptation the same as the original? Discuss plot, characters, theme, conflict, language, etc.
- How does the adaptation differ from the original? Discuss setting, time period, characters, plot, language, etc.
- Does the original story translate well in the adaptation? Why or why not? Did the adaptation work in a different setting, time period, etc. Why or why not?
- Why do you think Shakespeare's plays are adapted so often?
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5 to 2 pages (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font