Do-Now: You are going to be writing your own, original play this week. Brainstorm a list of possible topics for your play.
Today: 1) Introduce "Romeo & Juliet Project"
2) Introduce Playwriting Project:
PLAYWRITING ASSIGNMENT
LENGTH: Approximately TWELVE pages (SIX pages front and back).
TOPIC: Use your imagination!
REQUIREMENTS/RESTRICTION:
1) Play must be
your ORIGINAL work (no plagiarism accepted)
2)
No more than FOUR characters may be used
3)
No inappropriate language or situations
WORTH: 200 Points
POINTS BREAKDOWN:
1) Length: 30
points
2)
Format: 30 points
3)
Originality/Creativity: 50 points
4)
Grammar/Spelling: 20 points
5)
Character Descriptions: 20 points
6)
Plot (Completeness): 20 points
7)
On Time: 30 points (5 points deducted for every day late)
EXTRA-CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: 50 Points
You
may work with one to three other classmates to present one of your plays in
class. You may choose only ONE of your
plays to present and each person in your group will receive the 50 points
extra-credit. (You may NOT participate
in the presentation of more than one play).
Lines MUST be memorized and props/costumes must be used. You will be graded on the following:
1)
Line Memorization: 20 points
2)
Use of Props/Costumes: 10 points
3)
Use of Dramatic Action/Facial Expressions/Voice: 10 points
4)
Overall Presentation: 10 points
2) How to Write a Character List and Setting:
PLAYWRITING 101
TITLE PAGE: Write your play’s title in ALL CAPS and write your name
underneath. Both the title and your name
should be CENTERED.
EXAMPLE:
COLLISIONS
IN AIR AND SPACE
by Jon Dorf
CHARACTER PAGE: List each of the characters in your play on a
separate line. Include each character’s
age (or approximate age range) and a brief description of what each character
looks like (if important to the play) and who he/she is in the play. Write characters’ names in ALL CAPS. Write descriptions in normal print.
EXAMPLE:
Cast
of Characters
MARGE NANCY REAGAN BALLMOTH,
harried thirty-something mother
JACKIE, her ten-year-old son
BRUCE, the average-looking man
from the milk carton and about Marge's age
BLONDIE, a youngish, not
necessarily blond woman
MARGE'S HUSBAND, about Marge's
age
RUFUS, a thirty something
mysterious freelance version of the witness protection
program living in Montana
SETTING: Describe the location of the setting, including what the
stage looks like, who is on the stage at the rise of the curtain and what
he/she is doing.
EXAMPLE:
At RISE:
(A kitchen/living room somewhere in
California. Early evening. MARGE, thirty
something mother, stops to scrutinize
the
carton before pouring milk into a
bowl of
flour. On the table are four
place settings, one of which
includes a
martini.)
DIALOGUE: Type each character’s name in ALL CAPS. Any actions the character takes should be written in parenthesis. When a new character speaks, skip a line
before writing his/her dialogue. The
character’s name must be written every time he/she speaks!
EXAMPLE:
ALEX: I want somewhere with a
lawn.
MERC: What? That patch of dead
grass on 133rd not good enough? (Merc eyes
the lock on the box of women's
clothing.) Wish I had a lawn. I would've been
a different person. (Beat.) Make
sure you get a lawn. (Beat.) You been through
your Mom's clothing?
ALEX: (Lying) No. You?
Exit Slip: Which topic did you chose for your play? What made you choose this topic? What will be the main conflict in your play?
Homework: Romeo & Juliet Project Due Monday, June 11. Playwriting Project Due Monday, June 11.
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