Prepping the Performance, Take 1: November 20, 2019

Focus: How can preparing a performance help us understand A Midsummer Night's Dream?

1. Warming up by backtracking to Pyramus and Thisbe, then reading 1.2 with human subtitles

• What do you notice about these characters as a group?

• What do you notice about Bottom in particular?

• Why did Shakespeare put these guys in charge of Pyramus and Thisbe?

2. Getting into Acting Companies and reading through Act 2 and 3 scenes

Acting Company #1: 2.2

Acting Company #2: 3.1.1-100

Acting Company #3: 3.1.101-208

Acting Company #4: 3.2.1-111

Acting Company #5: 3.2.112-180

3. Reading through the scene, understanding the characters and plot, and selecting a passage for close reading

4. Making directorial choices

*Performances will all take place this Friday.*

HW:
1. By Friday, November 22: Complete the brainstorming phase of your paper/project.

• If you're doing the project, complete the attached plan in your packet.
• If you're doing the paper, complete your thesis and a rough outline. 
• E-mail me, submit hard copies, or stop in for a quick chat.

2. (Optional) By Wednesday, December 4: Turn in your typed, printed one-pager on the Shakespearean film you have watched (see overview).

Heads-up! December 9-10: Poetry papers and project are due. Because we will be at the end of the semester, please note the following:

1. No extensions will be granted. 
2. You will NOT be able to revise these because you won't get them back until your final.

Please plan ahead and spread this out over the next few weeks. You will have one work day in class, but this is largely designed to be an independent, college-style assignment.